Arpin joins forces with GRX for Nitro RX campaign.

PHOTO CREDIT: Grönholm RX

Grönholm RX has announced its intent to field a Hyundai i20 in this year's Nitro Rallycross Championship, forming from a new partnership with Steve Arpin and Loenbro Motorsports.  

Arpin has enjoyed a lengthy career in motorsport, switching from Dirt Racing to NASCAR before making the transition to rallycross in 2013. In his first two years in rallycross, the Canadian drove an OMSE Fiesta ST before switching to Chip Ganassi Racing in the same machinery. 

Loenbro Motorsports then ran the Ford Fiesta ST for Arpin before a move to the factory-developed Focus R.S. RX in 2018, but the performance wasn't there, which meant the team switched back to the Fiesta for the 2019 season in Nitro RX. 

A change of scenery will see Loenbro Motorsport and GRX combine assets for the joint venture, GRX Loenbro.  

Grönholm RX has operated their Hyundai i20 RX Supercars since 2018, claiming wins and podiums in both the FIA World Rallycross Championship and RallyX Nordic. 

"I’m pumped to been able to put this partnership together with GRX! As with everything we do, it’s all about the people," Arpin said. 

"I’ve known Jussi Pinomäki since my first event in rallycross when we were able to work together in Brazil and I’ve got a ton of respect for him. To be able to team up with him and utilize his knowledge in the sport as well as Marcus and Niclas Grönholm and everything they’ve accomplished is a great opportunity for all of us."

Jussi Pinomäki, GRX team principal, added: “Since I first worked with Steve not only has he become one of the top drivers in rallycross, but he has developed a similar passion for the sport to the feeling we have at GRX. We’re very excited to be partnering Steve and the Loenbro team for this new championship, with its fresh vision, new tracks, and an interesting field of drivers and cars. We are all very competitive people, so as always we are working hard to achieve the best possible results this fall.”

Together, the GRX Loenbro venture will take on some of the biggest names in rallycross, in terms of both drivers and teams from the US and Europe in the first full Nitro RX season, which begins at the Utah Motorsports Campus in Salt Lake City on September 24 – 25, before further rounds at ERX Motor Park in Minneapolis (October 2 – 3), Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, Phoenix (November 13 – 14), Glen Helen Raceway, Southern California (November 20 – 21) and The Firm, North Florida (December 4 – 5).