October 15, 2017
SRTUSA #18 piloted by Patrik Sandell put on an impressive performance Saturday at Red Bull GRC Los Angeles. With avid Subaru fans packed into the grand stands, it was thrilling to have Patrik Sandell secure another podium to wrap up a successful rallycross season. This marks the fourth podium in the last four races, and fifth this season.
Starting the day with a win in the first heat race, Sandell’s clean and fast driving paid dividends throughout the day. The initial win was followed by a second place in Heat 2, third in Heat 3, and second in the Semi-Final.
For the 2017 season finale, Patrik Sandell’s #18 WRX STI was positioned first on the second row. As the lights went green, Sandell had a brilliant start and was immediately in second place. “We had a good start and really good, clean laps. I was able to stay with Tanner Foust most of the final. The last 2 or 3 laps, my tires were starting to go away a bit and I was trying to control understeer. I lost some time doing that, so Scott Speed was able to pass me in the joker which I kind of expected, but after that I just tried to bring it home clean. Overall a good weekend!”
Chris Atkinson did not have the same fortune. “A very interesting day for me. Nothing really went to plan all day and we were really fighting, but nothing went our way. I actually got a pretty good start and got up to sixth from last during the Final, but we had a slow puncture, so that was it. Otherwise this day was awesome for the team with another podium, which is now 3 events in a row! Very encouraged going into next year.”
Overall the gains made with the rallycross program for 2017 have been impressive to say the least. Countless time and energy has gone into making the Rallycross Spec Subaru WRX STI a competitive platform for the Red Bull GRC Championship. Lance Smith President of Vermont SportsCar added, “The progress that was made this season shows the performance gain, but more importantly the consistency of the performance we are delivering. We have a much higher level to start from next season. Last year, we were at the bottom of the pack trying to get toward the top, now we’re consistently running third, which leaves only 2 places in front of us!"