Speed secures COTA win and the Americas RX lead

The Volkswagen Beetle RX machines from Andretti Autosport are still the cars to beat in the Americas Rallycross Championship, with Scott Speed not only taking the honors, but also getting the lead of the championship in what was an eventful debut round at the new rallycross layout of the Circuit of the Americas.

The Andretti Beetles were in control during most of the qualifying heats, while Ken Block was getting back to grips with the Ford Focus RS RX and was having slight gains of pace during the qualifying. While Block was a close third in qualifying, Patrik Sandell also showed progress and came near him in the final heats. Unfortunately, overseas hero Oliver Bennett was plagued with electrical problems in his XITE Racing Mini SX1 though the car’s pace would really pose a challenge to the Andretti cars.

Semifinal 1 had the Hooligan/Loenbro cars against Scott Speed and Travis Pastrana, and Block was quick to show that he could challenge Speed. Steve Arpin was knocked out with a puncture, meaning there was a only Block’s Focus to keep the challenge, though he wasn’t able to continue the charge, leaving Speed with an relatively easy victory.

On semifinal 2 Patrik Sandell and Chris Atkinson’s mission was to not let Tanner Foust loose, but again the Volkswagen Beetle RX opened the gap with ease, and to make matters worse, Bennett was pushing himself against Atkinson for third place, putting the Subaru driver in defense mode. Foust got a good win while Sandell and Atkinson came after and qualified to the final, leaving Bennett out by a tiny margin.

Americas RX - COTA Semifinal results

In a final with VW Andretti and Subaru having their full lineups, Ken Block was the guy in disadvantage as he would need to do the effort by himself. Scott Speed led the way as the VW Andretti cars split their strategies, and Ken Block took advantage of this by gaining second place over Foust on Lap 3.

Travis Pastrana held up the pack until Lap 5, so when Block jumped to second and had clear track ahead it was simply too late to attack as Speed was way ahead of everyone, winning with authority the Final. Block still salvaged second place despite pressure from Foust, who completed the podium.

Americas RX - COTA Final result

Scott Speed takes the lead of the championship with 56 points against 55 of Tanner Foust while Patrik Sandell is their nearest threat in third with 39 points. The next round will be across the border at Trois-Rivières, in Canada, with ARX featuring again in the World RX bill.

PHOTO: Volkswagen Motorsport