Three US Rallycross events cancelled

2011 US Rallycross Championship cut short due to lack of competitors.

J.B. Niday, the managing director of RallyCar, announced yesterday that the three remaining rounds of the US Rallycross Championship have been cancelled.

“Much has changed in the 12 months since RallyCar organized our first Rallycross in New Jersey. Rallycross has generated a tremendous amount of interest. Recent developments make each strategic decision we, and our USAC/TORC partner, make critical to the development of this exciting, but fragile new sport.

The demand for a new direction in Rallycross is apparent, and RallyCar is committed to creating a series which meets the diverse needs of strategic partners, sponsors, and participants as well as the venues, promoters, and sanctioning bodies. RallyCar is now working with several partners, led by the United States Auto Club (USAC) and with the concurrence of the SCCA, to develop a new and exciting program for 2012. An announcement will be made in the coming days on this new venture.

Despite this high level of interest, too few teams committed to the initial three events scheduled in partnership with USAC’s TORC Off Road Series to meet our fan’s expectations. We appreciate the support of those teams, however it is critical that Rallycross is always presented as the best competition possible so that it becomes the successful and exciting sport that we know it is capable of being. Rallycross needs to be as exciting as fans demand it to be. We are, therefore, cancelling the Rallycross events scheduled for Bark River [Michigan; August 13 and 14], Crandon [Wisconsin; September 4 and 5], and Chicagoland [Illinois; September 15].

I have personally contacted each of the teams which had entered Bark River to inform them of this difficult decision and express my appreciation for their support. Rather than view this decision as a disappointment or setback, we at RallyCar are focusing on a very exciting new chapter in our sport and look forward to announcing a 2012 program in the coming days,” stated Niday about the cancellation on the RallyCar/Rally America website.

Footnote: On Wednesday July 3, 10 days prior to the third of the five rounds series, to be held at the Bark River International Raceway, the entry list contained just three names…

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