Who’s Jason Bourne? This is the question in the well-known film series of the same name. Bourne is portrayed by Hollywood star Matt Damon, but when it comes to spectacular scenes in the car, Tanner Foust takes on the roles of various secret agents in the film series. As a brand ambassador, Foust represents Volkswagen R all over the world.
Tanner Foust is an American racing driver, stuntman and presenter. He became a rally cross champion four times, most recently in 2019 with the Volkswagen Beetle R. The Volkswagen driver also had two championships in “Formula Drift” and four gold medals at the X-Games.
The 46-year-old is actively involved in the coordination and acceptance processes of new Volkswagen R vehicles. “Tanner Foust is a man with many talents. Of course, his driving skills stand out. Due to his positive nature and his rousing enthusiasm for sporty automobiles, he is also extremely personable. Tanner suits us perfectly and represents what Volkswagen R stands for worldwide – in a charismatic and authentic way, ”emphasizes Jost Capito, Head of Volkswagen R.“ His expertise is also a real asset for the further development and optimization of R models. “
The GP Ice Race in Zell am See (Austria) united the successful duo Foust and Beetle R in early February. In the 560 hp Beetle, Foust won the American Rallyecross (ARX) championship in 2019 – a crowning conclusion to the series’ outstanding. The successful duo skilfully drifted across the Eisoval in Zell. “The Beetle R is the most fun office you can have. This is really a unique machine. 2019 was the last year this Beetle was used in races. It is therefore something special for me that I was allowed to drive it here in Zell am See again, ”enthuses R brand ambassador Foust.
His new “workplaces”: the eR1 and the Altas Cross Sport prepared for the “Baja 1000 race”. The eR1 is a test vehicle for a purely electric racing car with the body of the Volkswagen Golf. “The future of Volkswagen and motorsport is electric,” says Tanner Foust, particularly looking forward to the missions with the eR1. After the cold and ice, he continued into the heat. The largest Volkswagen meeting in the Middle East took place at the “Dub Drive GC” in Abu Dhabi in February. In addition to spectacular drift shows, there was also the choice for the R model of the year. Foust very much appreciated the lovingly prepared Volkswagen models of the enthusiasts at the “Dubbie” meeting.
It’s not just the action film characters in the Jason Bourne series who owe their extraordinary driving talent to the R brand ambassador. Foust also appeared in other Hollywood productions as a stunt driver: In Iron Man 2, Need 4 Speed and the popular Fast & Furious series. In “Tokyo Drift”, the third part of the PS saga, he skilfully circled tuned sports cars across the asphalt and narrow parking garage entrances. The drifted custom work in a confined space earned him a nomination for the Taurus World Stunt Awards. Foust also cuts a fine figure as a presenter: From 2010 to 2016, he led the audience through the US version of the TV magazine “Top Gear”. Foust gripped his passion for cross-country driving early – in Scotland, not in the USA: The offspring of an American Navy family grew up there and discovered rallying for himself. On the remote Scottish country roads, the young Foust also learned how to drive a car properly. After his time in Europe, he moved to the United States to study biology in the state of Colorado.
But he never let go of his fascination for motorsport: during the semester break, he spent every free minute on race tracks. In order to secure driving times in racing cars, he worked as a mechanic or driving trainer – until, after completing his studies and after a period as an amateur racing driver, he made the leap into professional racing in 2003. Since then, California has been the home of Fousts. But his real home is still mainly here today: behind the wheel.
