New to Red Bull Global Rallycross for 2015, the Bryan Herta Rallysport squad has wasted no time in getting its drivers ready for the season. Supercar drivers Patrik Sandell and Austin Dyne headed down to The FIRM Rally School in Florida for three days of testing with their brand-new M-Sport Ford Fiesta STs, while GRC Lites driver Collete Davis joined them for driver development sessions.
“Our test went very well,” Dyne said. “We learned a lot about the new cars and made lots of changes. We still have some more to learn but overall we feel the team did an amazing job and we should be very fast come Ft. Lauderdale.”
“Bryan, Austin and myself all come from different driving backgrounds, which should help us get these cars dialed in no matter what the track looks like this year,” added Sandell. “I’m ready to release the hand brake on this season. It’s almost go time.”
The FIRM has hosted test sessions for numerous Red Bull GRC teams over the past two years. Rhys Millen tested at The FIRM directly before taking his first Supercar main event win in Daytona last year, while Subaru Rally Team USA has made multiple trips to the school this offseason.
“We seem to have become a favorite GRC test facility for many teams due to the versatile layout of our facility, with a 1.6 mile road course and multiple connecting dirt sections that allow a team to replicate a specific GRC track,” noted Sean McDaniel, managing director for The FIRM. “Our sunny Florida weather has not hurt us either.
“Patrik and Austin just spent 3 days here testing their brand new M-Sport Supercars. Lites driver Collete Davis came along and spent 2 days in a FIRM school car developing her rally technique on our skid pads and the same course layout that Sandell and Dyne are running.”
The new team will make its debut in the Red Bull GRC season opener at Ft. Lauderdale on May 30-31. Sandell begins his third season in a Supercar, while Dyne will start his sophomore year in the class. Davis will be making her rallycross debut.