Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[X Games 16 Preview: Autoblog rides shotgun with the stars of Rally Car [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/30/x-games-16-preview-autoblog-rides-shotgun-with-the-stars-of-ral/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/30/x-games-16-preview-autoblog-rides-shotgun-with-the-stars-of-ral/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/30/x-games-16-preview-autoblog-rides-shotgun-with-the-stars-of-ral/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

X Games 16 Subaru Practice Session - Click above for high-res image gallery

It was just a short time ago - five years, to be exact - that rallying was introduced as a competition in the X Games. The first event started out in spectacular fashion, with Travis Pastrana beating out the late Colin McRae after the former World Rally Championship winner rolled his car with just a few turns to go.

Since then, the competition has become stronger and car manufacturers have increased their involvement as interest in the sport has increased thanks to ESPN's mainstream audience. This year looks to be one of the most exciting events yet with a host of new cars, new drivers, new rules and even a new event. Follow the jump to learn about what to expect for this year's X Games 16 and what it's like to ride shotgun in a 500-horsepower rally car.


Gallery: X Games 16 Rally Preview - Subaru


Gallery: X Games 16 Rally Preview - ACP Racing


Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading X Games 16 Preview: Autoblog rides shotgun with the stars of Rally Car [w/video]

X Games 16 Preview: Autoblog rides shotgun with the stars of Rally Car [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ACP RacingAcpRacingAndrew Comrie-PicardAndrewComrie-picardESPNfeaturedKenny BrackKennyBrackL.A. ColiseumL.a.ColiseumLA coliseumLaColiseumPastranarallyrally car racingRallyCarRacingSamuel HubinetteSamuelHubinetteSuperRallySverre IsachsenSverreIsachsenTanner FoustTannerFoustTravis PastranaTravisPastranaX GamesX Games 16X Games 16 SuperRallyX Games Rally Car RacingX Games SuperRallyXGamesXGames16XGames16SuperrallyXGamesRallyCarRacingXGamesSuperrallyFri, 30 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19574437/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/30/x-games-16-preview-autoblog-rides-shotgun-with-the-stars-of-ral/19574437/article-detail.xml 19574437 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead1xgames16subarupreview_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead1xgames16subarupreview.jpg <![CDATA[X Games 15: Ford Fiesta, Kenny Brack get the gold]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/x-games-15-ford-fiesta-kenny-brack-get-the-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/x-games-15-ford-fiesta-kenny-brack-get-the-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/x-games-15-ford-fiesta-kenny-brack-get-the-gold/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

X Games 15 Crowns New Rally King - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're not going to say we told you so - because we didn't - but we are going to go ahead and say we're totally not shocked that former Indy 500 champ Kenny Brack just won some X Games gold. After all, we're still a touch weak in the knees from our little ride along with him and his atomic weasel Ford Fiesta rally car last Thursday. First thing's first: what a coup for Ford. Beating Subaru at X Games is like beating Muhammad Ali in the 1960s. It just doesn't happen very often. Turns out that the big jump that had everyone at Ford a little more worried than they were publicly letting on just wasn't an issue. The hopped up Fiestas did great. In fact all three Ford drivers (Brack, Foust and Deegan) made it to the semifinals, along with Subaru's Travis Pastrana.

What a great intro to the sport of rallying for Kenny Brack. It looked as if Foust was going to beat Brack heads up, but then Tanner spun out and Brack was pitted against Pastrana and his Subaru in the final. Pastrana is ahead after one lap and everyone had pretty much concluded that he was about to win his umpteenth X Game event. But at the start of the second lap, Pastrana goes wide, spins, hits the back left side of his car against a barrier and can't continue. Ten years after winning the the Indy 500, Kenny Brack wins X Games Rally gold. Good job, Kenny.

Follow the jump to watch video of the finals contest at this year's 2009 X Games.


Gallery: X Games 15 Crowns New Rally King

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[Source: ESPN]

Continue reading X Games 15: Ford Fiesta, Kenny Brack get the gold

X Games 15: Ford Fiesta, Kenny Brack get the gold originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 X Games2009XGamesbreakingDeeganFiestaFiesta Rally CarFiestaRallyCarfodrFordFord FiestaFord Fiesta RallyFord Fiesta Rally CarFordFiestaFordFiestaRallyFordFiestaRallyCarKen BlockKenBlockKenny BrackKennyBrackOpen Class STIOpen Class SubaruOpen Class Subaru WRX STIOpenClassStiOpenClassSubaruOpenClassSubaruWrxStiSubarusubaru wrxSubaru WRX STISubaruWrxSubaruWrxStiTanner FoustTannerFoustTravis PastranaTravisPastranaWRX STIWrxStiX GamesX Games 15XGamesXGames15Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19116860/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/08/02/x-games-15-ford-fiesta-kenny-brack-get-the-gold/19116860/article-detail.xml 19116860 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/89570051_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/89570051_opt.jpg <![CDATA[2009 X Games Rally Car ride along]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/31/2009-x-games-rally-car-ride-along/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/31/2009-x-games-rally-car-ride-along/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/31/2009-x-games-rally-car-ride-along/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


2009 X Games Rally Car ride along - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you've never been given a "hot lap" by a professional driver, let me try and convey what the experience is like. You're usually dehydrated and have been standing on a heat-soaked paddock for far too long. There's a track rat (or two) whose job it is to get a helmet and HANS device fastened on you and their default thinking is that you've never even seen a track before, much less driven on one. You're wearing your street clothes, and items like your wallet and cell phone make it even harder for them to get you shoehorned and belted into the seat. The passenger seats are typically much narrower than the driver's seat and you're typically much fatter than the driver. It can be pretty embarrassing. Once you're secured, the driver sticks his hand out, you shake it and then you're off.

Follow the jump to find out what happens next.


Gallery: 2009 X Games Rally Car ride along

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Photos Copyright (C)2009 Jonny Lieberman / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading 2009 X Games Rally Car ride along

2009 X Games Rally Car ride along originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Ford Fiesta2009 Ford Fiesta Rally car2009 Ford Fiesta Rallycross2009 Subaru WRX STI2009 X Games2009FordFiesta2009FordFiestaRallyCar2009FordFiestaRallycross2009SubaruWrxSti2009XGamesDave MirraDaveMirrafeaturedFiestaFiesta Rally Carfiesta rallycrossFiestaRallyCarFiestaRallycrossFordford fiestaFord Fiesta Rally CarFord Fiesta WRCFordFiestaFordFiestaRallyCarFordFiestaWrcimprezaKen BlockKenBlockKenny BrackKennyBrackOpen ClassOpen Class SubaruOpen Class Subaru WRX STIOpenClassOpenClassSubaruOpenClassSubaruWrxStiRallySTISubarusubaru imprezaSubaru WRX STISubaruImprezaSubaruWrxStiTanner FoustTannerFoustTravis PastranaTravisPastranaWRXWRX STIWrxStiX Gamesx games rallyXGamesXGamesRallyFri, 31 Jul 2009 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19115190/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/31/2009-x-games-rally-car-ride-along/19115190/article-detail.xml 19115190 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/subarufordxgames000_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/subarufordxgames000_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Ford Fiestas set to break up Subaru's party at X Games 15]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/ford-fiestas-set-to-break-up-the-subaru-party-at-x-games-15/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/ford-fiestas-set-to-break-up-the-subaru-party-at-x-games-15/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/ford-fiestas-set-to-break-up-the-subaru-party-at-x-games-15/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Ford Fiesta X Games Preview - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The first three X Games Rally competitions have been dominated by Subaru, with most of the drivers picking the WRX STi as their vehicle of choice. Ford is determined to change that, and is making its X Games debut with a trio of Fiesta rally cars prepared by Olsberg Motor Sport Evolution, the same team that ran the Fiesta duo at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb earlier this month. Piloting the rally cars will be a stellar lineup of drivers including Tanner Foust, a two-time X games medalist in the rally event, Kenny Brack, winner of the 1999 Indy 500, and X Games Motocross veteran Brian Deegan.

We caught up with the three cars yesterday at the El Toro Marine base in Irvine, CA, where the drivers were doing practice runs up and down the abandoned air strips. Each seemed to be coming to grips with the power of their cars, all shod with grippy BFGoodrich g-Force Rally tires, and even the experienced Foust called the Fiesta Rallycross an "angry little beast." Still, we have no doubt that they'll have the cars mastered by Thursday's practice sessions, and we wouldn't be surprised to see any of the Fiestas in the final race on Sunday.

Highlights of the X Games Rally can be viewed on ESPN and ESPN 2 starting July 30, and the final will be aired live on ABC on August 2nd from 3:00-6:00 pm EST. You can read more about the Fiesta Rallycross in the press release after the jump, and check out our gallery of yesterday's practice session below.


Gallery: Ford Fiesta Rallycross X Games Preview


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Ford Fiestas set to break up Subaru's party at X Games 15

Ford Fiestas set to break up Subaru's party at X Games 15 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 X Games2009XGames2011 Ford Fiesta2011FordFiestaBrian DeeganBrianDeeganFiestaFordford fiestaFord Fiesta Rally CarFord Fiesta RallycrossFordFiestaFordFiestaRallyCarFordFiestaRallycrossKenny BrackKennyBrackTanner FoustTannerFoustX GamesX Games 15XGamesXGames15Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19112050/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/29/ford-fiestas-set-to-break-up-the-subaru-party-at-x-games-15/19112050/article-detail.xml 19112050 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/fiestaxgamespreview_lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/fiestaxgamespreview_lead.jpg <![CDATA[Ford attacking X Games with star-studded trio of Fiesta rally cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/ford-attacking-x-games-with-star-studded-trio-of-fiesta-rally-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/ford-attacking-x-games-with-star-studded-trio-of-fiesta-rally-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/ford-attacking-x-games-with-star-studded-trio-of-fiesta-rally-ca/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Tanner Foust's 2009 Olsbergs MSE ROCKSTAR Ford Fiesta - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford knows better than most that the way into an American car buyer's heart is through motor racing, so the latest step in Ford's North American "Fiesta Movement" is the deployment of the compact hatchback which we've driven and enjoyed on several occasions on America's most popular rally circuits.

Following its entry in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Ford will be fielding a team of rally-prepped Fiestas in the upcoming X Games, the 15th running of the famous stunt competition and the first time Ford will participate. Piloting a trio of Fiestas prepared by the same Swedish MSE outfit that created Marcus Gronholm's rallycross car will be a star-studded line-up comprised of drift champion Tanner Foust, ten-time X Games medalist Brian Deegan and former Indy champion Kenny Brack. With that much talent behind the wheel, we'll look forward to the Fiesta Movement getting into motion at the games running in Los Angeles from July 30 to August 2. Details are available in the press release below the fold and a pair of sketches of the X Games Fiestas can be found in the gallery below.


Gallery: 2009 X Games Ford Fiestas

Continue reading Ford attacking X Games with star-studded trio of Fiesta rally cars

Ford attacking X Games with star-studded trio of Fiesta rally cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian deeganBrianDeeganfiestafiesta movementFiestaMovementford fiestaFordFiestafoustkenny brackKennyBrackmseolsbergspikes peakPikesPeaktanner foustTannerFoustx gamesXGamesThu, 02 Jul 2009 16:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19084013/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/02/ford-attacking-x-games-with-star-studded-trio-of-fiesta-rally-ca/19084013/article-detail.xml 19084013 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/olsbergrs_xgames_fiesta_web_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/olsbergrs_xgames_fiesta_web.jpg -1 2