ARX
06 Feb 2019
Credit: Lars Gange/Subaru Motorsports USA
Subaru Rally Team USA driver Patrik Sandell thinks that the influx of new permanent tracks in Americas Rallycross will benefit teams beyond providing better racing facilities.
The 2019 ARX schedule will include three purpose-built venues at Mid Ohio, Gateway Motorsports Park, and Circuit of the Americas (pictured above), and shows a marked difference on the temporary courses used in the first decade of rallycross competition in the US.
“I think it’s really good that we’re starting to have some proper tracks,” he said, speaking exclusively to DominikWilde.com. “The sport needs that for sure.”
“They keep popping up and if we can have one or two new locations each year we’re going to have a great series. It’s going in the right direction, we need permanent tracks over there to get rallycross to the next level.”
Silverstone’s new permanent rallycross track in the UK was used by ARX in 2018 – Credit: Lars Gange/Subaru Motorsports USA
A big benefit brought by the new tracks is that rallycross teams in North America will now have proper facilities to go testing at as well. To-date teams have had to make do with courses they’ve set up themselves at road courses and parking lots.
“We’ve been testing at different locations in America but we’ve never been able to test at the track like World RX teams have done so I think it’s definitely good because now, and in the future, we’re able to go to these tracks in between the races,” Sandell said.
“A big part of testing is to get more tools in the toolbox,” he continued. “If you come to a track that is different from the previous one, if you’ve done a lot of testing you already know if it is a fast track and you can adjust the car, or if it’s got a lot of tight corners we can already have a setup in mind.”
“A big part of pre-season testing has been that, so when the season is on we should be able to react quickly to every situation.”
Sandell (L) is hopeful the more permanent tracks will lead to more meaningful testing – Credit: Lars Gange/Subaru Motorsports USA
While the new tracks at Mid Ohio and Gateway near St. Louis aren’t yet ready, Subaru has continued to test at secret alternative sights, and the progress made by the team has impressed Sandell.
“It’s such small details that we’re working on and the car is an evolution on last year so we’re taking it step-by-step,” he said. “Scott [Speed] came in with some new ideas and we’re trying to get the best package together so I guess when you guys see the final product on the track you will see that we have had a really good off-season.”
While not on the ARX calendar, Nitro Rallycross also took place on a new, purpose-built track in Utah – Credit: Subaru Motorsports USA
