RideLust

If you were to design the ultimate motorsport, you’d want it to incorporate asphalt racing, dirt racing, jumps and some difficult transitions between surfaces. You’d want it to be on a spectator-friendly short course, which also makes for good TV coverage. Finally, you’d make sure that the cars involved came from a variety of manufacturers and were as evenly matched as possible. You’d probably include seperate events for 2wd and AWD cars as well.

Good news, sports fans: this type of competition already exists. Called rallycross, it’s been popular in Europe for years and has now debuted as a series in the United States. Called U.S. Rallycross, the inaugural event was held last weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park, and the AWD A Main event was won by Rockstar Energy driver (and Top Gear USA host) Tanner Foust. Other AWD A Main podium finishers were Travis Pastrana, who snagged second place, and Dave Mirra, who took third.

Sanctioned by RallyCar (formerly Rally America), there are two more rallycross events scheduled for 2010, both at NJ Motorsports Park.