Global Rallycross to Stage Inaugural Race at Bristol Motor Speedway

BRISTOL, Tenn., July 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, the stars and cars of Global Rallycross will take on the high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 20. The race, the fifth of nine events in the 2013 Global Rallycross season, will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN 3 at 4:30 PM ET.

The Bristol track layout utilizes much of the .533-mile oval, including both sets of banked turns. The track also features a gravel cut through the oval infield and Global Rallycross' signature dirt jump. Both Global Rallycross Supercars and GRC Lites will compete in the event.

"It's going to be an exciting race for everyone, I think," said Toomas Heikkinen, driver of the #57 OlsbergsMSE Ford Fiesta ST and current Global Rallycross points leader. "It's cool to be here, and we have a nice track. It's going to be maybe the fastest track, and we have the banks."

Bristol Motor Speedway opened its gates for the first time in 1961 and joined the Speedway Motorsports Inc. family of race tracks in 1996. It has hosted numerous events from stock car racing to sprint car events, but has never held a rallycross event.

"As far as racetracks across the country go, Bristol is like my fantasy," said Steve Arpin, driver of the #32 OMSE2 Ford Fiesta. "I've always wanted to drive here, but I've never had the opportunity with the programs that we had. Never in a million years would I have imagined that the first time I went around the high banks of Bristol would be in a Ford Fiesta rally car! All you have to say is 'It's Bristol, it's awesome.'"

Bristol will also represent the second round of the Sylvania SilverStar zXe Cup, a four-race challenge at Speedway Motorsports Inc. tracks. The driver to score the most points at the SMI events will earn a $20,000 cash bonus.

About GRC
Global Rallycross combines the best aspects of circuit racing, off-road racing and rally competition to deliver intense action in a variety of fan-friendly environments. Action sport stars including Travis Pastrana and Brian Deegan have described the sport as "motocross – with a roll cage."

CONTACT:
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+1 (213) 745.2123

SOURCE Global Rallycross