Rally America, Holds Round One Of 2012 U.S. RallyCross Championship At NJMP

Eric Vlasic from Honda of Canada wins 2WD Super. Photo Brent Smith

Williston, VT (May 21, 2012) -- Rally America's first of four rounds of the 2012 U.S. Rallycross Series at New Jersey Motorsports Park returned this past Saturday, May 19, 2012 after a brief hiatus with intense competition on the .6 mile rallycross course that consisted of 30% dirt and 70% tarmac surface.

After a day full of practice and qualifying heats, it was the former Belgian National Rally Champion and 2012 Oregon Trail Rally Super Production Class winner David Sterckx from Santa Ana, California who won the 4WD Class in his 2003 Mitsubishi EVO after his rival, Sebastian Kokoszka, from wake Forest, North Carolina broke a rear strut in Heat two.
Eric Vlasic from Paris, Ontario, a lead motorcycle technician working with Honda of Canada, piloted his supercharged 2008 Honda Civic to 2WD Super Class victory over local New Jersey Motorsports Park track driver and fan-favorite, Kyle Gagliardi from Millville, New Jersey driving a 2002 Ford Mustang V8. Third place honors in the 2WD Super Class went to Rafal Listopad, from nearby Lodi, New Jersey, driving a 2005 Dodge Neon SRT4.
Vlasic worked hard to earn his 2WD Super Class win after surviving a heated battle with former X Games 17 athlete and 2009 Rally America 2WD National Champion Dillon Van Way from Carencro, Louisiana driving his turbocharged 2012 Ford Fiesta.

Wimpey wins the 2WD Limited Class. Photo: Terry Hall

Van Way and Vlasic tangled as the two entered a dirt section in Heat number one causing damage to Van Way's radiator which he needed to replace before returning to competition. Van Way's crew managed to complete the repair in time for him to enter Heat number two, but he was unable to keep the car going to challenge Vlasic in the Main event.

David Sterckx wins 4WD Limited Class: Photo Brent Smith

Josh Wimpey, from Steeles Tavern, Virginia continued his winning ways in the U.S. Rallycross Series competition by fending off a slew of talented drivers in the 2WD Limited Class to take the class victory by nearly seven seconds. Collin Wooding from Southampton, New Jersey, took second place honors driving his 1996 BMW 318i while former NFL player turned racecar driver, Rich Bodmer from Westfield, New Jersey brought his Racing 2 Remember 2004 Dodge Neon home in third place in the 2WD Limited Class.


The U.S. Rallycross Series will return to New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey for the second of four U.S. Rallycross Series events on Saturday, July 21, 2012.
For more information regarding how to get involved as a competitor or where to purchase spectator tickets for this exciting event, please be sure to visit www.rally-america.com for all the details.

Source: Rally America Media