Round 5 of the Red Bull Global Rallycross season took place at the famous Daytona International Speedway, and featured a fast asphalt section as well as a long technical dirt section.
Sykes set fastest time in final practice, just as he had done at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the previous round. “It was a great feeling to be able to go out and show that we had the speed,” said Sykes. “With the car dialed in, it was a fun track to drive.”
Both heat races saw Sykes battling for the win with series leader Mitchell deJong in the #24 car, which set up for an exciting race final. “Joker strategy is always key, but this track layout had the joker at the first turn on the asphalt leading to turn 2 into the dirt section. Mitchell and I had been side by side through the first three turns in both heats, so this was going to be a race to the jump.”
However when it came time for the finals, Sykes was penalized for moving before the start. “Just before the green lights went on, the car inched forward and stopped. We weren’t sure at the time if it was a clutch issue or the rear brakes not holding. In any case, race officials black flagged us for it and stopping in the penalty box on this track put us way to the back of the field,” said Sykes. “It was too bad, given we were running so well, and after the misfortunes at Charlotte, this was another chance we missed at a good podium result.”
ABOUT RALLYCROSS AND GEOFF SYKES
Rallycross combines circuit racing, off-road racing and rally competition with intense, crowd-pleasing action in a fan-friendly track environment, featuring a challenging course that includes jumps, unbanked turns and changing track and surface conditions that can include dirt, gravel and wet asphalt.
Geoff Sykes is driving his second season in Global Rallycross, having come from an autocross and road racing background with multiple records and championships in the BMW CCA racing series, and is the 2013 GT champion in the US Touring Car Championship.
Sykes’ rallycross racing includes support from SONY Team Action Cam, RallyPro at The Firm, BendPak, Midnight Oil and Stepco Insurance.
Photos: Paul Holton
