Jeff Ward has been announced as the driver of SH Rallycross/DRR‘s number 07 entry for this year’s Red Bull Global Rallycross championship.
Ward, who competed in three rounds for Chip Ganassi Racing last season taking a best finish of fourth in Daytona, will replace Nelson Piquet Jr. in the team’s Olsbergs-built Ford Fiesta. Piquet, who has finished fourth for the last two seasons, recently revealed that he would not be returning to the championship due to various schedule conflicts.
As well as a handful of guest appearances in Red Bull GRC, Ward also has four top-five finishes in the Indianapolis 500, plus an impressive CV on two wheels with two Super Moto championships, seven AMA Motocross championships and two X Games gold medals to his name. He is also a member of the Motorsports and Motorcycle Halls of Fame.
The Scot caught the eye of SH Rallycross team owner James ‘Sulli’ Sullivan during his three guest appearances last season, leaving a lasting impression with the team.
“When I watched him in his GRC début in 2015, I wanted him racing for us,” said Sullivan. “Our whole team will benefit from the amount of multi-discipline experience he has and I expect we will compete for wins with him driving.”
“I’m super excited to be able to race for SH Rallycross/DRR and have the support of MET-Rx during the 2016 Red Bull GRC season,” added Ward. “The team has proven it can win and compete for the championship and I look forward to helping bring them even more success.”
As well as a new driver in Ward, the team will also have a new title sponsor with nutrition supplement brand MET-Rx joining the team for eight of the 12 rounds this season.
“MET-Rx recognizes the preparation and dedication that goes into winning in the Red Bull Global Rallycross Series,” said MET-Rx’s Vice President of Marketing, Mike Messersmith. “Championing this preparation is what MET-Rx is all about – our portfolio is designed to help the modern athlete nourish and love their inner monster and to provide them with the necessary tools to get to the next level of their sport and go out onto the track ready to dominate.”