In the GT300 class, it was also the class pole-starter, the HATSUNEMIKU GOODSMILE BMW (Nobuteru Taniguchi/Taku Bamba), that won its race. It was the team's first win in the fourth year since it began GT competition, and it was also the first win for the new BMW Z4 that has debuted this season. It was also Taku Bamba's second GT win, while it was the ninth career GT win for Nobuteru Taniguchi.

(Spectarors: 36,000)

Winner Comments

No.1 Weider HSV-010 [GT500]
Takashi Kogure: "The car's performance has been good this season but we just weren't able to get a good result until now. I am relieved that we finally were able to win. Sepang has a slippery track surface and it was hard on the tires too, but I think we were able to run consistently fast. I was surprised when car No. 46 came out of the pit exit in front of me, because I hadn't anticipated it. But, since it was its "out lap" (first lap out of the pit), I decided I had to make my move quickly [before its tires warmed up]. I saw a chance on the second turn and made my move past it then. I was able to build up a gap of 17 seconds over the cars behind me, but the wear on the tires was considerable, so I took it easy at the end."

Loic Duval: "The win this time finally puts us in the series title race. Now the season is just beginning for us, I feel. In fact that my lap times fell at one point was because I came up behind a group of GT300 back-markers that were batting with each other and that created a situation where I didn't have a chance to pass. In contrast, the car behind me was able to pass them right away, so I was like, "OK, I'm waiting for you!" (wry smile.) After that I was able to open up a margin of lead again though. Still, it was a tough race."

No. 4 HATSUNEMIKU GOODSMILE BMW [GT300]
Nobuteru Taniguchi: "After winning the class pole position yesterday I really wanted to win today. In the race today, things developed ideally just as I had hoped they would, and I was happy when we took the checkered. But, in the second half it was different [as the competitors closed the gap on Bamba] (wry smile). I was so nervous watching Bamba's stint that I think it took a couple years off my life! And I even got a little upset. But I think Bamba did a good job for us out there."

Taku Bamba: "I am so happy. But I am also a little disappointed in my performance. Also, I want to dedicate this victory to the sponsors who have supported us for so long, and to everyone at my meny personal sponsors. The plan was that Taniguchi-san was going to go out and get us a big lead and then I was going to maintain it to the win. But I ended up losing the margin of lead. I lost time while I was being passed by the GT500 cars. Next time I want to show everyone that I can run as planned."

Initial confusion over whether Foust or Jernberg had indeed crossed the finish left the final results in dispute but, when the dust settled, officials were able to review official ESPN TV race footage and conclusively verify the result. It was a heartbreaker for both Foust and Jernberg, who had battled each other all day and were the closest challengers to leader Grönholm.

Foust bested Grönholm to take victory a day earlier in the head-to-head SuperRally competition. A strong start, critical in these two racing disciplines, eluded the veteran rally driver and he had to settle for second place behind Foust. Rounding out an all-Ford Fiesta podium on Friday was motocross veteran Brian Deegan who had returned to the car for the first time since earning a pair of silver medals in the rally disciplines at X Games 16.

The two-wheel-drive category saw Swede Mikael Eriksson take wins in both SuperRally and RallyCross disciplines, while series regular Andrew Sutherland finished runner-up.

The third Global RallyCross Championship event saw a field of top drivers in two-wheel and all-wheel drive classes competing head-to-head on a mixed dirt and tarmac course that featured a massive, 70-foot gap jump never seen before outside of X Games competition. Drivers competed in a head-to-head format on Friday, and took on aggressive, multi-car rallycross racing on Saturday that culminated in an action-packed, eight-car final race for the win.

The event featured a roster of top drivers from around the world, including Australian freestyle motocross rider Robbie "Maddo" Maddison, who tried his hand at the sport for the first time. He took on the two-wheel drive category in an underpowered production-based car, while UK rallycross driver Liam Doran returned to the US for the first time since 2010 to compete in a rented Subaru.

In addition to the fierce door-to-door competition at Pikes Peak International Raceway, drivers were also available for autograph sessions; a vendor midway offered further entertainment for fans.

Among the notable guests on-hand to watch Saturday's contest were Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima, a famed rally and Pikes Peak International Hill Climb driver who was in town this week as he prepares for next weekend's Race to the Clouds. Local favorites Jimmy Keeney and Nathan Conley brought out the cheers as they put on a great show for many friends and family in the grandstands.

Drivers in the Global RallyCross Championship are vying for the first-ever series titles, which will be determined in an exciting finale at Games 17 Rally competitions held in downtown Los Angeles this July.

The top teams in the Global RallyCross Championship, along with some additional invited drivers, will travel to California to take part in the rally car racing competitions at X Games 17 July 30 and 31.

Already invited to compete are X Games 16 double-gold medalist Foust, X Games16 double-silver medalist Deegan, Subaru Rally Team USA driver Dave Mirra, Hyundai Rallycross driver Rhys Millen, and Grönholm. Travis Pastrana is planning a big X Games week with motocross, rally car racing and a NASCAR event all on his calendar.

Five additional, not-already-invited drivers, are expected to receive invitations to the high-profile California contest based on their performance in the Global RallyCross Championship series. The Last Chance event represented their final opportunity to earn points in the series before X Games.

Jernberg and Verdier are the two not-already-invited drivers with highest RallyCross and SuperRally combined points-totals in the All-Wheel-Drive Super class. Jimmy Keeney and Joseph Burke earned the most points in the All-Wheel-Drive Limited class, while driver Dillon Van Way is the top points scorer in two-wheel drive.

Complete coverage of the Global RallyCross Championship: Last Chance will air on June 25 at 9 p.m. Eastern time on ESPN and ESPN2.

The final four vehicles gave a tremendous show for the fans with the first battle pitting number one qualifier Ryan Tuerck in the Mobil 1 / Gardella Racing Chevy Camaro against Conrad Grunewald in the Hankook Chevy Camaro. Tuerck went high on the banking, making impact which damaged his vehicle taking him out of the competition and automatically giving him fourth place. Current points leader Justin Pawlak in the Falken Ford Mustang faced teammate Daijiro Yoshihara in the Discount Tire / Falken Nissan 240SX to meet Grunewald in the finals. Yoshihara lost the battle and took third place due to Tuerck's damaged vehicle and moved into second in the Pro Championship points standings. The finals saw a battle of American muscle with Pawlak facing Grunewald. Grunewald edged out Pawlak for his first victory of his career. Pawlak remains the points leader with this third podium finish of the season.

“I’m really happy for the team,” stated Conrad Grunewald, winner of Round 4: The Gauntlet. “We overcame a lot to get to this position this weekend. And I am overwhelmed to be on top of the podium for my first time and especially to do it by beating a Ford Mustang.”

The Formula DRIFT Championship continues for Round 5: Throwdown at Evergreen Speedway on July 22-23. Tickets are available to purchase online.

For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com

Formula DRIFT Professional Championship 2011 Point Standings
1. Pawlak, Justin Falken Tire Ford Mustang 363 Points
2. Yoshihara, Daijiro Discount Tire / Falken Tire Nissan S13 306 Points
3. McNamara, Darren Falken Tire Pontiac Saturn Sky 291 Points
4. Forsberg, Chris NOS Energy Drink / Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z 280 Points
5. Powers, Matt Need for Speed Nissan S14 273.50 Points
6. Grunewald, Conrad Hankook Tire Chevy Camaro 272 Points
7. Tuerck, Ryan Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 Chevrolet Camaro 245 Points
8. McQuarrie, Tyler Falken Tire Nissan 350Z 244 Points
9. Gittin, Vaughn Monster Energy / Falken Ford Mustang 228 Points
10. Yoshioka, Toshiki Retaks Nissan S13 213.75 Points
11. Mohan, Kyle Nexen Tire / Mazdatrix Mazda RX-8 204.50 Points
12. Aasbo, Fredric Need for Speed / Hankook Scion TC 169 Points
13. Gushi, Ken RS*R / Hankook / Scion Racing TC 164.50 Points
14. Petty, Ross Megan Racing / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla 160 Points
14. Wilkerson, Walker Fatlace / Intec Racing Nissan 240 160 Points
16. Waldin, Matt Helix Energy Drink Nissan 350Z 159 Points

Round 4: The Gauntlet Event Results
1. Grunewald, Conrad Hankook / CG Racing Chevy Camaro Winner
2. Pawlak, Justin Falken Tire Ford Mustang Second
3. Yoshihara, Daijiro Falken Tire / Discount Tire Nissan 240SX Third

Tires.com Triple Crown (after 1 of 3 events)
1. Yoshihara, Daijiro Discount Tire / Falken Tire Nissan S13 106 Points
2. McNamara, Darren Falken Tire Saturn Sky 90 Points
3. Yoshioka, Toshiki Retaks Nissan S13 79 Points