- U.S. Driver makes New Zealand debut with Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Passat
"I'm honored to be invited to New Zealand for the Leadfoot Festival," said Foust. "Rod Millen was a big hero of mine growing up, watching rally, and it's exciting to join him at his home for this annual celebration of speed."
It will be the first time Foust's rear-wheel drive converted drift machine is shown outside of the United States. The Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Passat, which produces 900 nitrous-boosted horsepower from its V8 engine, was introduced less than a year ago for a limited series of Formula Drift appearances in the United States. It has rapidly become a fan favorite.
The car features a four-speed dog-engagement transmission, a Tilton clutch, AEM Infinity-10 fuel injection, RS-R suspension and an extroverted APR Performance swan-mount wing. Its distinctive supercar exhaust note comes from a specially designed eight into one sequential collector.
The Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Passat is the latest special build from Tanner Foust Racing. Vehicle builds represent a growing area of interest for Foust, who debuted the RAUH-Welt Begriff Volkswagen Beetle at SEMA 2014.
The Leadfoot Festival is a celebration of motorsport held at Leadfoot Ranch on New Zealand's North Island. The event brings together new and classic cars, vintage motorcycles, and motorsport legends on Rod and Shelly Millen's 150-acre ocean-front estate.
Champion racer Millen hand-selects racers from around the world to participate in the event. In addition to Foust and his screaming Passat, the diverse assortment of guests will include IndyCar racer Scott Dixon and his 1906 DARRACQ Le Mans car, Alister McRae and the 1998 Possum Bourne Motorsport Subaru rally car, and Rhys Millen and his Global Rallycross Hyundai Veloster.
The appearance comes during a busy off-season for Foust who, in addition to racing, works as a stunt driver and is one of the hosts of Top Gear, airing on the HISTORY channel. Full details of Foust's 2016 competition schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.