USRS: Gruszka made winner

Category: July, Miscellaneous, News Posted 22.07.12 11:58 by Eddi Laumanns

Round 2 of the Rally America U.S. Rallycross Series 2012 at NJMP saw Art Gruszka, Dillon Van Way and Collin Wooding claiming victory of their respective classes.

The second round of the U.S. Rallycross series, organised by the Rally America organisation over four rounds solely at the New Jersey Motorsports Park at Millville in New Jersey, had a total of 24 entries while 21 drivers showed up at the American eastcoast venue. The entire racing took place on Saturday July 21, Free Practice and Timed Practice [here called Qualifying] was followed by three Qualifying Heats [some drivers skipped the last one] and the Finals for the three different classes.

In the 4WD-Limited category it was Round 1 winner Belgian David Sterckx, this time driving his own Subaru Impreza GR (Group N specs) while in May he used a lent Mitsubishi Lancer E8, setting the fastest times in Timed Practice as well as in both Qualifying Heats to claim the pole position of the Final. However, during the all decisive Final the Belgian had contact with Pole Art Gruszka in his Mitsubishi Lancer E9 (Rallycross specs), resulting in some damage on both cars as well as the decision of the Stewards of the Meeting to declare the Mitsubishi campaigner to the winner. Sterckx later: “We won the final, but we got a black flag for hitting the car who was having a spin in front of me.”

In the 2WD-Super Class Dillon Van Way made good use of his Ford Fiesta Mk7 to defend home soil against Swede Mikael Eriksson and his powerful Porsche 911 GT3. With Josh Wimpey absent here (the winner of Round 1 did not have enough time for Round 2 due to his commitments with the Rally West Virginia on July 27 and 28) overall victory of the 2WD-Limited Class was bagged by Collin Wooding and his BMW E36, second place fell prey to Pole Rafał Wroblewski and his Acura [Honda] Integra Mk3.