Those attending the Red Bull Global Rallycross at Daytona International Speedway this weekend may be watching one of the top motorsports series of the future.Several former Formula One and NASCAR drivers are involved in the unique tour, which pits muscled-up compact cars on a course that has asphalt, dirt and a jump that sends competitors flying through the air.
“This sport is growing, but there’s no question this is the future of motorsports,” driver Scott Speed said during media day at the Speedway on Thursday.
Speed raced in Formula One and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, but feels right at home in this new vision of racing.
“This form of racing is built around the new generation of kids and that’s what NASCAR is never going to compete with,” Speed said.
“No kid I know will sit and watch a race for four hours. I can’t even do it. I have a feeling this has the potential to become the next big motor racing in this country.”
The cars will begin to attack Daytona’s makeshift course Friday at noon when the Supercars class has a practice session. Qualifying heats begin at 3:45 and continue to early evening.
The Supercar Final is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday.
The fact the Global Rallycross earned a race date at Daytona is testament to its growing popularity.
“We are the World Center of Racing,” Speedway director of operations Andrew Gurtis said. “We run go-karts, NASCAR, sports cars and motorcycles.
“If it races, we want it at Daytona. The Rallycross, the fact that it’s dirt and asphalt, we have meshed together our Supercross track-building skills with our knowledge of road racing.”