Buddy Rice To Make Global Rallycross Debut In Brazil

The Global Rallycross field for X Games Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil features one of the most talented and diverse driver pools ever assembled in motorsports. Today, Global Rallycross has announced that the field will increase by one with the addition of Buddy Rice to the entry list for this week’s event X Games event on April 21, 2013 in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil.

Buddy Rice, a highly skilled driver with career accomplishments ranging from winning the historic Indianapolis 500 and two additional IndyCar Series races in 2004, finishing third in the overall Championship points to claiming a victory at the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona. In addition, Rice also runs Buddy Rice Karting, a leading importer of Energy Karts and a successful young driver development program.

Buddy Rice Winner Of 2004 Indianapolis 500

“With the addition of Rice to the Global Rallycross, we are taking the series to the next level,” said Colin Dyne, Global Rallycross CEO. “He has won two of the most prestigious and well-known races in motorsports and will build on the already diverse background of competitors.”

Rice will drive a brand-new Volkswagen Polo prepared by Marklund Motorsport. Though he has competed in off-road events before, including the 2005 Baja 1000, X Games will mark his professional
rallycross debut. 

“The rallycross deal is really exciting,” said Rice. “It’s a stadium format, it’s something that’s totally different, and I really have always liked new challenges. I think the more diverse you are, the better driver you become. I haven’t done this before, it’s something totally new to me, but I look forward to the challenge and seeing what I can do.”

With the addition of Buddy Rice, the Global Rallycross field now boasts experience in nearly every major form of motorsports across the world. Current Global Rallycross drivers have seen success in NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar, WRC, drifting and sports car racing. Global Rallycross drivers have also claimed over four dozen X Games medals, many of which were won in action sports other than rallycross.