Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button made his Nitro Rallycross debut for XITE Energy Racing, whilst teammate Oliver Bennett reached his first ever final.
Button was competing in his first event of the series, the brainchild of internet-sensation Travis Prastrana, and managed to make a respectable debut at ERX Motorsport Park in Minnesota.
He was just half a car length from beating his teammate Bennett to Final qualification, but it was the Bristolian who managed to qualify second in the Last Chance Qualifier to reach the eight-car final.
“My first rallycross weekend has been very challenging,” said Button.
“My issue is that I’ll do a run, learn and gain confidence and then go back out and the track is completely different.
“You have to adapt to a forever changing track and I’m just not used to doing that in a car I don’t know.
“A tough weekend for me in terms of not being competitive and being a long way off, not just a few tenths, but there’s a lot for me to learn and still to come.”
Meanwhile, Bristol-born Bennett was delighted with his performance over the weekend, as he went on to finish fifth in the final, with Pastrana taking the overall win.
“My first final and starting in P8 you never know what could happen really with so many cars on a small track,” said Bennett.
“I got stuck in and was P4, but got pushed back and came home in P5, so I really enjoyed it. It was a long six laps, but I gave it everything.”
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Button, whose father was also a rallycross driver, came into the team late due to other commitments, with his seat previously held by former World Rally Championship driver Kris Meeke, but is excited to see how far he can improve in the sport.
“I’m definitely in a better place. It was great to see the people I’m racing against, and it gives me confidence that I’m kind of in the mix.
“I need to do more testing, because most of the time it was just scary going over jumps, entering corners backwards and concrete walls on the outside. It’s very different to what I am used to.”
“But what a great job by the team, they’ve been very helpful for me with learning what I need to do and how I need to improve.”
Button and Bennett will both take part in the next round of the Nitro RX championship will take place in Glen Helen, California, on October 29-30.
[Image: XITE Energy Racing]
