CORE Expands into Global Rallycross

Multi-time IMSA Champion CORE autosport is expanding its operations to include a Red Bull Global Rallycross program. The team will field two Lites entries for the 2016 season, with a long-term plan to move into the headlining Supercars class.

The team is no stranger to successfully advancing up a race series ladder. After making its debut in IMSA Prototype Lites and collected championship honors, the team progressed to IMSA’s Prototype Challenge category, winning the team championship in its first season and every season since for a total of five PC Championships.

In 2013, CORE added a privateer Porsche GT program to its lineup and the following year was chosen to operate Porsche’s North American GTLM factory team.

“The plan for CORE autosport has always been sustainable, long-term growth and in Red Bull Global Rallycross we saw an opportunity to apply the same model that has worked for us in IMSA,” CORE President Jon Bennett said.

“We’re approaching everything with the utmost professionalism, learning everything we can, hiring talented individuals and giving them the tools and environment to continuously improve.”

Created in 2013, Red Bull GRC combines elements of off-road racing, street racing and motocross. Circuits are a unique combination of asphalt and dirt, including a variety of jumps.

Each event consists of four heat races, a last chance qualifier (LCQ) and a final. Currently the Supercars class features manufacturer-backed entries from Ford, Honda, Subaru and Volkswagen.

A ‘feeder’ class to Supercars, Lites is a spec class featuring a purpose-built tube-frame chassis with a 2.4L, four-cylinder Ford Duratec engine producing 320hp. The car uses a six-speed sequential gearbox and BF Goodrich tires.

“CORE autosport is just the latest of many premier racing organizations to come to Red Bull Global Rallycross,” Red Bull GRC CEO Colin Dyne said.

“Its success in sports car racing speaks for itself. We know they will apply the same level of commitment and dedication to Red Bull GRC, and look forward to seeing them in compete in Lites this year and in the Supercar class down the road.”

The team has appointed motorsports veteran Brian Colangelo to head its Red Bull GRC program, which will operate out of its 30,000 square-foot headquarters in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

The team is actively seeking funded drivers to fill the two available seats as well as experienced crew members for the 2016 GRC season.

“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but it’s the type of challenge that CORE autosport thrives on,” Colangelo said. “Witnessing what CORE has already accomplished I am confident we have the experience and resources to be competitive in Red Bull Global Rallycross and eventually win championships.”