Tony Cochrane, "the man widely credited with creating the V8 Supercar era in Australia," has joined the American-based Global Rallycross Championship, according to Stephen Ottley of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Rallycross, "short, action-packed races on a mixture of tarmac and gravel," is beginning to find traction in the U.S. market. The GRC counts big-name drivers, "including YouTube sensation Ken Block, Top Gear USA host Tanner Foust and action sports megastar Travis Pastrana, among its regular competitors." Despite this, and naming rights sponsorship from Red Bull, the series "is still relatively small compared to America's biggest motor racing series, NASCAR." GRC management believes Cochrane can "help grow the sport in the same way he elevated Australian touring car racing from a fringe sport to a mainstream spectacle." GRC CEO Colin Dyne said, "Having access to Tony's deep experience in managing one of the world's premier motorsports series will be a great asset to the series." Cochrane sold the majority of his stake in V8 Supercars in '12 and set up his new company, Int'l Entertainment Consulting, "which also promotes concerts and exhibitions, as well as consulting with V8 Supercars." Cochrane: "The racing is action-packed and made for television, but also brings a real excitement at these temporary circuits as well. I can totally see why new manufacturers and teams are jumping in -- its growth is going to be amazing!" (SMH, 10/25).
