– European style rallycross will now start to conquer to America. All rules and the competition format is copied from Europe and it´s the just same as in the ERC-series. For sure there will be some extra American taste too like some more show, but basicly the racing format is the same, Pinomäki says.
– I’ve been involved in rallycross 10 years now. And I also have won something, so I just felt that this new type of U.S. series is so great chance for me, that I must try it, Pinomäki says.
Pinomäki founds the sport very suitable for what American motorsport fan is demanding. In edition of 2010 U.S. Rallycross serie there are three rounds, which all are driven in same location, New Jersey Motorsport Park, Millville NJ.
– Big grandstands, good facilities and wide carparks. You can see every car and every corner of the track. Cars are powerful and sounds are quite decent. And usually there are some collisions too, so I would say that this kind of motorsport are just perfect for American fans, Pinomäki thinks.
Pinomäki drives U.S. races with Swedish Olsbergs / MSE team´s Ford Fiesta. This is the same team which prepared cars to the former World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm for some European Rallycross events and for legendary Pikes Peak hillclimbing race.
– The car has about some 550 bhp, Pinomäki knows.
Pinomäki´s rivals are really big names and stars like Travis Pastrana, Dave Mirra and Tanner Foust for example. Typing their names to Google or Youtube shows what kind of American style superstars these gyus are: thousands of fans everywhere they go, big caps and blingbling sunglasses.
– Yep, I should find a bigger cap and sunglasses too to get to the rigth feeling, Pinomäki laughts.
The series will grow next year up to six events. West coast will be hosting two rounds, East coast also another two rounds and two rounds are planned to South.
– And that is not all. There will be also four stadiumevents, which are broadcast live on TV. These events and of course the greatest event of all, the X-games, are unique possibilities to make promotion. I must drive fast enough to get the Invitation to X-Games, Pinomäki says.
Opening race of the U.S. Rallicross Championship was won by Tanner Foust. He also took the X-Games title earlier this year. Pinomäki did not race in the first U.S. round because his team´s ERC-campaign was´t completed yet.
Jussi Pinomäki
Lives: Kaarina, Finland
Age: 32
CV:
2010 ERC 1. and ERC 3. (as a Set Promotion team owner, Renault Clio)
2009 ERC 9., division 1, Citroen C4
2008 ERC 1., division 1A, Renault Clio
2007 ERC 5., division 1A, Renault Clio
2006 ERC 3., division 1A, Renault Clio
2005 ERC 1., division 2, Renault Clio
2004 ERC 1., division 2, Renault Clio
2003 ERC 3., division 2, Renault Clio
