Multi-rallycross and formula drift champion Tanner Foust has announced his plans to compete full-time in the Red Bull Global RallyCross Championship for the 2015 season. In addition, the Denver, CO driver announced plans to return to formula drift for several rounds of the 2015 season. His planned schedule will see him contend for the 2015 Global Rallycross Championship title, compete in select events on the FIA World Rallycross Championship, Formula Drift circuit, and the Lucas Oil Off Road Series.
"My competition focus is on winning the Global Rallycross Championship for Volkswagen and Rockstar Energy Drink in 2015 but I'm also excited to be able to get back into drifting," said Foust, whose last Formula Drift competition was the 2010 season ender. "The fans, the tracks, and the driving in Formula Drift are really something unique in the world of motorsports and I've missed being part of it."
For his first Formula Drift event of the 2015 season, Foust plans to unveil a new drift vehicle, a 900hp Rockstar Energy Volkswagen Passat, to take place at the season opening event in Long Beach, April 10th & 11th.
The Rockstar sponsored driver appeared with Volkswagen at the Chicago Auto Show, confirming plans to return to Global Rallycross to compete for the championship a second time with the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team, alongside fellow teammate Scott Speed. Also in the plans, is a return to X Games, Austin in the summer for the festival's Circuit of the Americas to take place June 4th - 7th.
Faust, a two-time Global Rallycross champion, earned the fan favorite award for the series last year with his win at the New York event. 2014 also saw him bring a mid-season debut of his all-new Rockstar Energy Volkswagen Beelte. Foust sits among top picks for the 2015 championship season.
Faust, a two-time Global Rallycross champion, earned the fan favorite award for the series last year with his win at the New York event. 2014 also saw him bring a mid-season debut of his all-new Rockstar Energy Volkswagen Beelte. Foust sits among top picks for the 2015 championship season.
"Volkswagen and Andretti are a winning combination and we had a fantastic debut last year," said Foust. "It's exciting that in our first season we were able to get so much real-world GRC testing with the Beetle. The Volkswagen Motorsport and Andretti engineers have continued with development this off-season and I can't wait to show off all the hard work when we get back on track in May."
As previously mentioned, Foust also plans to return to the FIA World Rallycross Championship for four stops this season with Marklund Motorsport team of Sweden. Also planned are stops on the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Pro-2 class.
"I'm going back to my roots with drifting, racing in rallycross, scraping the rust off some road racing skills, and continuing to learn more about off-road racing," said Foust. "For me, it's important to stay in touch with these different disciplines -- especially as I'm working with Volkswagen on developing some exciting new project cars."
The first of these new, special vehicles debuted last year at SEMA, the RAUH-Welt Begriff Volkswagen Beetle.
Tanner remains the only driver to have booked back-to-back wins in the Formula Drift Championship (being 2007 and 2008). He finished out 2010 in second place, which was also his last season on the tour to date.
Tanner remains the only driver to have booked back-to-back wins in the Formula Drift Championship (being 2007 and 2008). He finished out 2010 in second place, which was also his last season on the tour to date.
"I think it is safe to say, the return of two-time FD champion Tanner Foust highlights the most anticipated Formula DRIFT season to date. Some of the best battles in series history have featured Tanner and our fans are going to be thrilled to see him back in the mix in 2015 in a brand new Rockstar Energy Drink machine."
Ryan Sage, Formula Drift series co-founder.
On top of his demanding schedule as a professional racer, Foust continues his involvement as both a stunt driver and a television personality. He continues as a co-host of Top Gear (U.S.). Look for more episodes of his documentary series Life in Foust Lane airing on Rockstar Energy Drink's YouTube channel.