Prime parking, X Games style
NEW YORK — Before he rides herd on Los Angeles this weekend at X Games 17, Tanner Foust took on Broadway … sort of.
Closing down a city street in midtown Manhattan is no easy feat — neither is parallel-drift parking a car with 575 horsepower between two New York City taxis.
In preparation for X Games 17, defending Rally Car double gold medalist Foust was able to do just that — and add yet another stunt to his growing resume.
On Tuesday, Foust performed a high-speed parallel parking stunt, also known as “drifting,” for The Late Show with David Letterman.
Foust steered the Ford Fiesta XG17, the same car he will use throughout this weekend’s competitions.
The feat left a lasting impression on the crowd both inside and outside the Ed Sullivan Theatre (as well as the now skid-streaked pavement on 53rd Street).
As an added bonus, four-time Academy-Award nominated actress Julianne Moore (see pictures after the jump), who was also a guest on the show, agreed to take a spin with Tanner.
She donned a helmet, of course , with her ill-suited racing attire (black-fitted dress and skyscraper heels). After doing donuts in the middle of 53rd Street, Moore stepped out of the car a bit dizzy, but smiling.
According to Late Show writer Michael McIntee, “afterwards Julianne hurled like a pre-teen skateboarder.”
Although Moore might still be in recovery, it was clear Tanner had gained a newfound fan.
FrontRow Tanner Foust on Letterman
With the X Games now upon us, Foust reflects on how far he’s come since getting into cards for competition in a recent ESPN.com piece:
“X Games is the center of the year for so many athletes,” Foust said.
“I had never expected it, but really, X has become the most important week of my year, regardless of anything else. It’s a huge amount of fun, and for that week, I don’t exist for any other purpose.”
Catch Tanner in action this weekend on the city streets of downtown Los Angeles for X Games 17.
Saturday, he’s in the Rally Car Racing Final (4:00 – 6:00 pm ET ESPN, ESPN3.com). Sunday, he’s in the Rally Cross Final (5:00 – 7:00 pm ET ESPN, ESPN3.com).
Tanner’s varied racing experience also includes open wheel competition, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, rally racing, sports car racing and the SCORE Baja.
Tanner is also recognized for his work in front of the camera, as he is an on-air host for Top Gear USA and Battle of the Supercars.
His professional stunt driving credits include Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, Dukes of Hazzard, Bourne Ultimatum, Iron Man 2, and the remake of Red Dawn.
