Champion® Teams Up with Buhl Sport for Americas Rallycross

Alex Keyes to drive #4 ARX2 car this weekend in Austin

Buhl Sport Detroit and the legendary Champion® brand have joined forces to enter the Americas Rallycross (ARX) series.

Champion, the iconic brand from Federal Mogul Motorparts, is a leading choice among automotive enthusiasts. Today, the Champion product line consists of light maintenance products including automotive filters, wiper blades, batteries and lighting, in addition to its well-known spark plugs.

Buhl Sport Detroit, a company created by brothers Robbie and Tommy Buhl, have managed race teams and corporate activation programs for over 25 years. The team, headed by Detroit-based racer Robbie Buhl, will have the No. 4 Champion/Buhl Sport Rallycross entry in this weekend's event at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA), July 14 in Austin, Texas, with Alex Keyes driving.

"The Champion 'bow tie' has been one of the automotive industry's most recognized and trusted brands for over 110 years, and remains a mark of excellence for technicians, racers and consumers worldwide," said Michael Proud, Vice President, Global Marketing, Federal-Mogul Motorparts. "Forming a performance relationship with Buhl Sport Detroit was a natural for us, as they are based in Detroit and have a racing history that speaks for itself. The brief ARX season will be an opportunity for us to be a part of this new series to get our brand in front of the progressive young digital audience that enjoys rallycross racing."

"We are excited to get back on the track," added team owner Robbie Buhl. "Combining our effort with a brand like Champion brings a lot of responsibility, and we are ready to deliver. We have enlisted a proven rallycross winner in Alex Keyes to drive the car this season and are looking forward to running at the front."

Keyes is a native of Michigan, growing up in Brighton just northwest of Detroit. He now resides in Sacramento, California.

"It was a great day when Robbie called me about this opportunity," Keyes said. "I've known Robbie for a few years through the racing circuit, and when you combine his professionalism with the Champion brand, it is the complete package. This will be my fourth year in Rallycross; I've had 10 poles, eight podiums, and five wins over the last three seasons. We are going to be pushing for the top spot in the first ever North American ARX race this weekend!"

Circuit of the Americas in Austin will host the Americas Rallycross series this weekend, Saturday, July 14. The recently completed permanent rallycross track runs between Turns 12-15 of the Grand Prix track, with the surrounding grandstands making for an awesome stadium feel with fantastic viewing of the circuit. 

ARX 2018 race schedule: Austin, TX, at Circuit of the Americas on July 14; Trois Rivieres, Quebec, Canada August 4-5; return to Austin at COTA, September 29-30.