Ford Fiesta ST sweeps podium in fifth round of Global Rallycross Championship

Ford swept the Global Rallycross Championship podium with Fiesta ST for the third time this season at Bristol Motor Speedway in the United States.

Toomas Heikkinen became the first driver to win three consecutive GRC events and stretched his championship lead.

Ken Block earned his second podium of the season in second and Brian Deegan completed an all-Ford top three in third.

Toomas Heikkinen scored his third consecutive victory at the fifth round of the Global Rallycross Championship as the Ford Fiesta ST captured its third podium sweep of the season.

Victory for Heikkinen at Bristol Motor Speedway in the United States ensured the Bluebeam OlsbergsMSE driver stretched his championship lead to 34 points. He is the only driver to have scored podium finishes in all five rounds this season.

This is really good to keep the championship points lead and win my third race here at Bristol, said Heikkinen. My Ford Fiesta ST is on fire right now and it was a great race for us. This is my second win in the United States and my third win with global X Games. It means so much to me and I am so happy and grateful to be here.

Heikkinen was only seventh in seeding but a pass on the final lap of the first heat ensured he finished second behind Ken Block to advance into the final.

I didnt have the best start to my day and did not qualify well, but I got a good start in the final which is what matters, said Heikkinen. I choose the right line on the inside which put me in a good position and I was able to avoid getting bumped around too much.

I took the joker lap in the middle of the race because I heard Ken Block may be catching me by the last few laps. Then I heard he was two seconds or so behind me so I just tried to stay focused on keeping the right line to stay ahead, added Heikkinen.

It was Blocks second podium appearance this season. The Hoonigan Racing Division Fiesta ST driver finished just under two seconds behind Heikkinen in second, with Brian Deegan third.

Block qualified first and won both heats en route to the final. The first turn of the main race was tough, he said. There were a few cars banging on me and with nowhere to move I didnt come out well. From there I did everything I could, but ended up two seconds behind Topi in second.

Third earned Deegan a second podium of the season. The Rockstar Energy OlsbergsMSE driver seeded fourth but only made it into the final via the Last Chance Qualifier.

I started dead last in the final but I was inside, said Deegan. Sometimes I think the inside third row is better than the front row outside. I figured Id stay low, out of everyone ploughing into each other and that Id be in the top five within the first few laps. Being on the inside I only made a little contact and squeezed through with a podium end result.

Block led from the start but several drivers made contact in the first corner, including Tanner Foust who retired with heavy damage to the front of his Rockstar Energy OlsbergsMSE Fiesta ST. Heikkinen avoided much contact to lead, followed by Steve Arpin and Block. Arpin had trouble with his car, pulling off the track to allow Block and Deegan to follow Heikkinen home.

Final results (Ford finishers)1. Toomas Heikkinen2. Ken Block3. Brian Deegan4. Patrik Sandell 

Drivers points 1. Toomas Heikkinen 962. Brian Deegan  623. Tanner Foust  614. Patrik Sandell  60 5. Ken Block  58

Manufacturers points1. Ford   1862. Subaru   603. Dodge   59

The next round of the GRC is at X Games Los Angeles Sunday 4 August, the series final X Games race of the season.


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