Heikkinen, a 23-year-old motorsport sensation, started the first X Games event to take place at the Circuit of The Americas with a strong reputation to uphold as the defending Rallycross gold medallist and Global RallyCross champion. Competing on a temporary course live on ESPN, Topi was up against 19 other invited rivals and didn’t disappoint for the Swedish Marklund Motorsport team.

In X Games-style rallycross, finishing positions rather than lap times are key to progression. There were four six-lap quarterfinals each contested by five drivers. American motorsport, like the country itself, is big and spectacular. Rallycross is very much seen as a contact sport, but having driven so successfully in America over the years, Topi was able to give as good as he got, thanks to some stunning performances that skilfully balanced aggression with raw speed.

During the heats, Topi claimed an all-important top-three placing needed to progress to the quarter-final, which he started from the front row. But it was there that the trouble started…

The Finn made an excellent start and was well on course for another top-three finish, which would have taken him through to the semi-final. But then, a driveshaft suddenly broke on his Volkswagen Polo RX Supercar, leaving him with just two-wheel drive. The problem became even more dramatic when a small fire erupted under the car: the direct result of his driveshaft issue, probably caused by leaking oil. The fire was quickly put out, but his dreams of making the semis and challenging for another gold medal were over.

”It’s gutting, no question about it,” said Topi. ”It’s pretty clear that we had the pace: in fact another Volkswagen Polo won, driven by Scott Speed, so well done to him but I’d like to think that I might have had the chance of challenging for that too. Anyway, it’s over now and I’m always a positive sort of person, so I’m already looking forward to our next event. And the fact that we weren’t able to go beyond the quarterfinals doesn’t take anything away from the great time I had visiting America: it felt good to be back! The X Games use slightly different rules to world rallycross, so we used the first day to set up the cars and get used to the new tyres and engine maps: there was a lot to get used in a short space of time. Also, we came straight to the USA from the last world championship round in England, so really we were all up against it. These things just happen sometimes. We’ve learned a lot – and we’ll definitely be aiming to get that medal back next year!”

It’s a return to World Rallycross Championship next – and a trip to Hell – for Heikkinen when he contests World RX of Norway in the town of Hell from June 14/15.