Three-time defending Global RallyCross Championship team OlsbergsMSE partners with Red Bull for the 2014 GRC.
Threefold Global RallyCross Championship (GRC) series winning team OlsbergsMSE has announced that it is partnering with Red Bull for its 2014 Red Bull Global RallyCross campaign. “We’re the most winning team in the series’ history and with new faces and strong partners we intend to continue that streak in 2014,” said team owner Andréas Eriksson. “I’m happy to welcome Red Bull to the team, as well as returning partners Ford and Bluebeam.”
Fresh talent Joni Wiman will move into the top class of competition this year to pilot the 2014 Red Bull/Bluebeam OMSE Ford Fiesta ST. The up-and-coming Finnish driver swept the 2013 GRC Lites championship, earning a win at every round. With Red Bull support in 2014 he is expected to be an immediate threat in the SuperCars competition. “Moving into the top class of competition this year, after having such a great run in the 2013 GRC Lites, is an amazing opportunity,” said Wiman. “Joining the elite Red Bull athlete roster as I take this important step in my career is a dream come true.” The young driver is a protégé of his compatriot two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm, who serves as a coach and mentor on the OlsbergsMSE team.
Ford returns to the team in 2014, extending their longstanding relationship with OlsbergsMSE. The powerful 600bhp all-wheel drive OlsbergsMSE Ford Fiesta Rallycross SuperCars are class of the field at any race they enter. “Together, Ford and OMSE have been a dominant and driving force in Global RallyCross, with Fiesta ST winning three straight GRC championships and 19 X Games medals,” said Jamie Allison, Director of Ford Racing. “Ford and OlsbergsMSE have built an incredibly successful package with the Ford Fiesta ST and we’re looking forward to another strong season in 2014 and an exciting fan outreach.”
Bluebeam Software is returning to OlsbergsMSE in 2014, this year joining Red Bull in supporting Wiman’s talent behind the wheel. “We are excited to see how much farther Joni can push the limits of Rallycross this season,” said Richard Lee, President and CEO of Bluebeam Software. “With the GRC Lites championship under his belt, wins in every race in the series last season and coaching from Marcus Grönholm, we expect to see some extreme racing from Joni.”
Former rally driver Patrik Sandell will drive a second OMSE Ford Fiesta ST in the Red Bull Global RallyCross SuperCars category. The Swede is returning for a second year to the series after a strong debut season in 2013 with Ford and OlsbergsMSE.
The successful GRC Lites development series, which debuted in 2013 in the United States as a support to the Global RallyCross championship, will also return in 2014. With 2013 champion Wiman graduating to the SuperCars category, OlsbergsMSE will field young Red Bull phenomenon Mitchell DeJong in the Red Bull GRC Lites car, as well as up-and-coming Swedish driver Kevin Eriksson.
Photo: American Mitchell DeJong (left) and Finn Joni Wiman will drive cars in Red Bull livery. © OMSE/ERC24