Global RX: Bakkerud replaces Piquet Jr. for COTA

SH Rallycross announced today that Andreas Bakkerud will fill in for Nelson Piquet Jr. in the No. 07 HYDROXYCUT - SH Racing Ford Fiesta ST for the upcomingAustin X Games, June 6 at Circuit of The Americas. Piquet Jr. has a clashing commitment in Formula E in Moscow, where he is currently leading a four-way battle for the driver's title with three races remaining.

"We've got an opportunity here to get behind Nelson and help give him the chance to do something special in going after the inaugural Formula E championship," said team boss James "Sulli" Sullivan (center, ABOVE, with Bakkerud at left and Piquet). "This won't affect us in the Red Bull Global Rallycross championship standings so that's what we're going to do.

"The decision to bring in Bakkerud was a no brainer for us. He's one of the few drivers that knows the new 2015 spec car SH Rallycross is running like the back of his hand and he's sitting third in the WRX championship. "

Bakkerud, 24 from Bergen, Norway, is one of the top and most experienced Rallycross drivers in the world. He has won the FIA European Rallycross Championship in the Super 1600 category twice (2011 and 2012) and currently competes in the FIA World Rallycross Championship Super Car category where he is third in the championship standings after the first four races.

"I have been in Rallycross my whole career," said Bakkerud. "This is a big opportunity for me and I am very excited. I know Sulli and the team from spotting for Nelson in Barbados and the X Games last year and I am proud to be able to compete with SH Rallycross and am honored to be able to step in for Nelson at the X Games."

Piquet Jr. added: "Rallycross has been in my heart since I've drove it for the first time. It's been a little more than a year since I joined SH Rallycross and we continue to get stronger. A few months ago I took another challenge, competing in Formula E and right now we have a chance to win the championship. Therefore, I'm not going to be able to take part in the wonderful event, the X Games! I'll be in Moscow thinking about those amazing jumps and all those battles, but I'll also be trying to win the first ever Formula E championship. Good luck to my boys and I'll be back for Daytona even stronger."

SH Rallycross entered the RedBull Global Rallycross Championship last year, scoring four consecutive podium finishes including the Bronze at the Summer X Games with Piquet Jr. behind the wheel.