Sandell earns GRC Barbados pole

Sweden’s Patrik Sandell gave Bryan Herta Rallysport its second pole of the 2015 Red Bull Global Rallycross season, and its first since Daytona in June, by posting the fastest lap in Friday’s Supercar qualifying for Red Bull GRC Barbados. Sandell, who finished eighth here last year, posted a time of 1:02.982 to beat Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross teammates Scott Speed and Tanner Foust.

Both practice sessions were won by Speed, who pushed his Beetle to a fast lap of 1:04.742 in final practice. Austin Dyne proved to be faster in the first qualifying group, turning a 1:03.465 to Speed’s 1:03.532, but Foust reclaimed the fastest lap with a 1:03.312 as final round times were set to ensure that both VARX drivers made it to the next session.

There, Sandell became the first driver to turn a lap under 1:03, barely squeaking past the benchmark on his second lap. It was the first time all season that both BHRS drivers made it to the final round of qualifying; Dyne’s previous best starts of fifth at MCAS New River and fourth at Detroit I were set on driver points.

Qualifying times from Red Bull GRC Barbados I are below. Note that times for seventh place and below are from the first round of qualifying:

1. Patrik Sandell, #18 Bryan Herta Rallysport Ford Fiesta ST, 1:02.982
2. Scott Speed, #41 Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Beetle, 1:03.210
3. Tanner Foust, #34 Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Beetle, 1:03.238
4. Brian Deegan, #38 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford Fiesta ST, 1:03.364
5. Austin Dyne, #14 Bryan Herta Rallysport Ford Fiesta ST, 1:03.917
6. Ken Block, #43 Hoonigan Racing Division Ford Fiesta ST, 1:18.743
7. Nelson Piquet Jr., #07 SH Racing Rallycross Ford Fiesta ST, 1:03.773
8. Joni Wiman, #31 Red Bull Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta ST, 1:04.345
9. Steve Arpin, #00 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford Fiesta ST, 1:04.418
10. Sebastian Eriksson, #93 Red Bull Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta ST, 1:05.003
11. Rhys Millen, #67 Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Veloster, 1:05.025
12. Sverre Isachsen, #11 Subaru Rally Team USA WRX STI, 1:05.035

Red Bull GRC Barbados I action will resume with first-round heats tomorrow at 11:50AM ET. Fans can follow along with the action all day at http://livetiming.net/grc. The race will be broadcast on NBC on Sunday, October 4 at 3:30PM ET.

Red Bull Global Rallycross