WHEELS ON FIRE
X Games Los Angeles RallyCross

ESPN’s X Games Los Angeles 2012 happened in downtown Los Angeles' L.A. LIVE venues and event spaces, including STAPLES Center, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, Event Deck at L.A. LIVE and the new downtown rally car street circuit with the debut of the Big Air ramp on Chick Hearn Court. Editor John Grafman was there covering the event for LA Car. Here are some scenes from the Rallycross captured on camera. Frenchman Loeb rallies to the top of his first X Games RallyCross Pictures by John Grafman Some of the world’s best rally car drivers took to the streets of downtown Los Angeles for the X Games RallyCross competition, but it was Frenchman Sebastien Loeb driving his race-prepared Citroen who came out on top to take gold in just his first X Games appearance. “The X Games was a good experience, the track was good and I was excited to race at the X Games and win this competition,” said Loeb. “The most difficult point was that first corner because you lose everything if someone hits you.”

Ken Block barreled down the course in his race-prepared Ford Fiesta to take silver despite puncturing a tire on the fourth lap. The Park City, Utah driver managed to stay on course and in control to secure his fourth X Games medal. “On the second lap down, I basically had to nurse the car through the race after hitting an obstacle a little too hard which pushed my tire off the rim,” commented Block. 2011 X Games RallyCross Champion Brian Deegan in a Fiesta wearing a tiger shark smile found himself on the podium again, taking bronze. Deegan came from behind after being moved to the back of the pack due to a false start and needled his way through a crash to finish third.

Additional LA Car coverage of X Games Los Angeles events: Early Glimpes BMX Freestyle Park For the full X Games Los Angeles schedule, click here.