With the second ESPN X Games Rally Car Racing competition less than a week away, NASCAR veteran Boris Said and rally legend John Buffum received an "at-large" slot for their BFGoodrich Tires-sponsored Subaru Impreza WRX STI and thus will compete beginning this weekend in the action sports competition.
Said, who will come to this Sunday's Los Angeles event directly from Saturday's NASCAR BUSCH Series race in Montreal, will drive and Buffum will be his co-driver/coach.
"Having Boris drive one of our Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally cars in the X Games should attract more overall racing fans to rallying," said Tim Mahoney senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Subaru of America, Inc. "And since ESPN is a NASCAR broadcaster, the network's interest in highlighting Boris's participation - and that of Subaru - can only be stronger."
"Boris's accomplishments in a variety of other forms of racing provides a familiar face to fans outside rallying and can demonstrate to them, as well as the rally faithful, the performance of a rally-spec Subaru Impreza WRX STI," added James Han, SOA Motorsports manager, who pointed out that, different from the typical stock cars Said has been driving, the Subaru rally car incorporates symmetrical all-wheel drive and a boxer engine.
"I've been watching rally my whole life, and I think it's one of the most exciting sports in the world," explained Said. "I'm really excited to see the track and even more excited to see the 70-foot jump I've been told about. My only regret is that I'll be doing the NASCAR Busch race in Montreal on Saturday and will miss practice, but I guess that's why rally has the bravest co-drivers. I can't wait to get there and race."
Said earned his X Games bid via an "at large" invitation due to his numerous racing accomplishments, which include winning the 1997 and 1998 24 Hours of Daytona and the 1991 12 Hours of Sebring. During 2002, his first full season of competition, Said won the fiercely fought SCCA Trans-Am Championship and in 2005, he became the first American to win the prestigious 24 Hours of Nurburgring in Germany. He also has four American Le Mans Series and several SPEED World Challenge wins to his credit.
Beyond international sports car racing, Said has also performed well in various NASCAR disciplines having competed - and captured the pole - in all three NASCAR series: Craftsman Truck, BUSCH and Nextel Cup, including a Truck series win in 1998 at Infineon Sears Point Raceway.
Said will drive a 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI prepared by Vermont SportsCar, which also fields entries for Subaru Rally Team USA drivers Travis Pastrana and Ken Block. Like his NASCAR entry, Said's rally car will be No. 60. Rally action at X Games 13 begins with practice on August 2 and 3 and concludes with the Super Special final competition on August 5 beginning at 4:30 EDT. The final will be broadcast live on ABC.
