Three-time rallycross champion joins Volkswagen and Andretti Autosport
Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust is making the move to a new team and new car in 2014 for his rallycross campaign.
The three-time U.S. rallycross champion will race for Volkswagen in 2014, one of two drivers on the just-announced Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross (VARX) team.
"The level of preparation that Volkswagen Motorsport and Andretti Autosport bring to rallycross can't be overstated. Volkswagen conquered the World Rally Championship on their first attempt and joining them for rallycross is an amazing opportunity," said Foust.
Volkswagen of America, Inc., announced details this week at the Chicago Auto Show, where the 2014 Rockstar Energy Drink Beetle is on display.
"Volkswagen is delighted to have Tanner Foust as the driver of the Rockstar Energy Drink Beetle," said Vinay Shahani, Vice President, Marketing, Volkswagen of America. "We feel that the combination of Volkwagen, Andretti Autosport, and Tanner's proven track record in the Global Rallycross Series should be highly competitive during the 2014 season."
Foust and VARX will open the season in May with a rallycross-built Volkswagen Polo developed from the chassis that won the 2013 World Rally Championship.
"It's incredibly rare to have the chance to work with a brand new factory backed motorsport effort from the very beginning," said Foust. "I'm excited to have the chance to play a critical role in building the VARX team from scratch."
After starting the 2014 season behind the wheel of a Polo, Foust will make the switch to the Rockstar Energy Drink Beetle. This all-wheel-drive rallycross car is the ultimate expression of the third-generation Beetle. It will feature more than 560 horsepower from its turbocharged and direct-injection EA888 TSI® engine.
"I know what the Polo has to offer because I've been door-to-door with it for two years. It's a great car," said Foust. "The Beetle is going to be hard to beat. The drive and passion that the Volkswagen and VARX engineers have shown in the development of this car is just awesome and I can't wait to drive the most ferocious Beetle ever!"
Driver Scott Speed will compete alongside Foust on the VARX team. Michael Andretti, CEO of Andretti Autosport, said: "I'm thrilled to be entering the series, and especially happy about teaming with Volkswagen to form VARX. We are excited about our driver lineup of Tanner [Foust] and Scott [Speed]; I believe we have the best drivers in the series and will be a top contender."
Foust is committed to a full 2014 Global Rallycross championship campaign with Volkswagen and Andretti Autosport, including X Games in June in Austin, Tex. He will also drive a Volkswagen in select events in the new FIA World Rallycross Championship with Marklund Motorsport. The Rockstar Energy Drink driver will make his first appearance behind the wheel of a Volkswagen at the GRC season opener in May.
"For the past five years, Ford and the Olsbergs MSE team have been better partners than I could have imagined. The cars are great, the company is great and the racing team is absolutely the team to beat," said Foust. "It's never easy to say goodbye, but I'm looking forward to the season ahead."
Photo courtesy of Volkswagen of America, Inc.
