Two-time WRC champion Marcus Gronholm to compete in Global Rallycross events in America

Gronholm will form part of the Best Buy Team along with British driver David Binks. They will both drive 600bhp Ford Fiestas built by Andreas Eriksson and Olsberg's Motorsport Evolution firm.

The Finn tested his Fiesta for two days in Los Angeles last week before confirming his commitment to a season-long schedule for the first time since retiring from a 17-year professional WRC career at the end of 2007. The 44-year-old Finn won 30 of the 152 WRC rounds he started.

Gronholm said: "It's great to be back in business with a full programme and a clear championship to aim at. What's more, there is such a buzz around GRC, I think it is a form of motorsport that is set to explode. It's great for the stadium audience, great for the TV viewer with 70ft jumps over your competitors and fast and furious racing that delivers results quickly. It's simply addictive."

Gronholm and Binks will face tough competition in the six-round GRC, which starts in Charlotte on May 26. Last year's champion Tanner Foust and Monster World Rally Team star Ken Block are two of the big names who will line up against the Best Buy team.

Gronholm added: "There are all kinds of drivers coming into the series from very different action sport backgrounds, so I while I am 100 per cent clear that our ambition is to win, we'll just see how we get on in Charlotte and take it from there. We've tested well, the OMSE-prepared Ford Fiesta feels great and frankly I can't wait to kick off."

The six-round series features five events that partner with NASCAR, IndyCar and the X Games. The opener takes place on May 26 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, running as part of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Coca-Cola 600 bill.