Red Bull Global Rallycross is gearing up for its season finale in Los Angeles this weekend.
Five drivers remain in title contention, although it’s the Volkswagen Andretti duo of Tanner Foust and Scott Speed who sit in the perfect position to claim as second consecutive title for VARX.
The German marque have already clinched the manufacturers’ crown, in doing so ending Ford’s unbeaten run, and both Foust and Speed have tough to beat all season.
The popular pair have won all but two rounds this year, and have laid claim to first in the standings since day one.
Foust goes into the season-ending double header as the favourite. Currently enjoying a record 25-race winning streak in the heats, two-time champion Foust has won more races than any other driver and currently holds the championship lead.
Credit: Larry Chen/Red Bull Global Rallycross
Speed however has the momentum of being the reigning champion and a winner of three of the last four races.
However, while it is likely one of VARX’s drivers will win the championship, three Ford customer drivers are hoping to cause an upset.
Steve Arpin has been a revelation this year. In the championship picture since day one, the Canadian finally took his first win at Daytona, and he’s been on the podium two more times. In fact, he’s only failed to make the top five once.
His Chip Ganassi Racing team mate Brian Deegan has also been a podium visitor on more than one occasion this year. Four times has the General made the rostrum, although a second career win has so far proved out of reach. Besides Foust, he in the only driver in Red Bull GRC history to have claimed a podium in every single season.
Patrik Sandell is the final championship contender, although he remains very much an outsider.
Credit: Josh Tons/Bryan Herta Rallysport
Many expected Sandell to be the closest challenger to VARX this year, but bad luck has once again blighted his campaign. Although a trio of second places and a win in Dallas have kept him somewhat in the hunt.
Looking at the rest of the field, this weekend presents a big opportunity for the two Japanese manufacturers in the field.
Honda have enjoyed a strong first year in the sport, taking five podium finishes so far, and many have marked them as potential winners this weekend. With Mitchell DeJong joining their ranks this weekend, the event bearing their name could present the best opportunity for them to take a first win.
Subaru are another team that has been working hard and developing over the season.
This weekend will see yet another driver change as they look to maximise their development ahead of a hopeful return to form next year.
Rally stars Chris Atkinson and David Higgins once again return after a promising outing in Seattle, and they will be joined by two-time Production WRC and 2015 Japanese Rally champion Toshiro ‘Toshi’ Arai, making his rallycross debut this weekend.
By the end of Sunday Red Bull GRC will have a new champion. It could be a back-to-back champion, a record-extending third title, or a maiden triumph for one of three drivers…who knows?
Credit: Larry Chen/Red Bull Global Rallycross
