That's all from STPR - See you in New England!
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Teams are gathering for the awards banquet at Tioga County Fairgrounds, and
we'll join them in celebrating the successful conclusion of another STPR.
Rally America action stays in the east for another month before heading to Los
Angeles for the X Games, so we'll see you on July 17-18 in Bethel, Maine for the
New England Forest Rally.
Until then, check back frequently at www.rally-america.com for Rally America
news and updates.
X Games Invitations Expected for Top STPR Teams
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
When the results are tallied, invitations to participate in August's X Games in
Los Angeles, California are expected to be issued to the following teams based
on their performance to date in the 2009 Rally America championship series:
Car #176 Mancin / Ciupka 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer
Evolution IX
Car #68 Bacon / Watt 2006 Mitsubishi EVO IX
Car #61 Wiktorczyk / Dorman 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX
STi
Car #198 Gruszka / Wronski 2006 Mitsubishi EVO IX
STPR Regional Rally Results Recorded
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
The regional competition within the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally
comprises two separate events - one for the first 6 stages, and one for the
final 7 stages.
In the first half "Finger Lakes" rally, victory went to Car #333 Knox / Headland 1999 Subaru Impreza STi, and second
overall and the G2 class win went to Car #319 Greenhouse / DeRose 1995 Plymouth Neon. The G5 honors were claimed by Car #699
Sorensen / Iden 1975 Saab 99, and Limited class was taken by
Car #94 Fetela / Malik 1998 Subaru Impreza.
Finally, Production class was won by MB/#102. No Production GT class cars
completed the rally.
In today's "Sherwood Forest" event, overall regional victory was taken by
Knox/Headland again, and G2 was again claimed by Greenhouse/DeRose. G5 honors
again went to Sorensen/Iden, but Limited was claimed by Car #81 Gakuu / Kihurani 1993 Subaru Impreza.
Production was again won by Dekar/Berry, and no PGT cars completed the event.
Class Results at STPR
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Thirty-nine teams started, but only fourteen cars finished the national
competition at STPR this weekend.
Open Class and the Overall victory went to Car #43 Block / Gelsomino 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STi, with second place going to
Car #199 Pastrana / Edstrom 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX
STi and third to Car #68 Bacon
/ Watt 2006 Mitsubishi EVO IX.
In Super Production, the class win went to Car #61 Wiktorczyk / Dorman 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STi, second to Car #59 Moro / Wimpey 2005 Subaru STi, and third place to Car
#523 Hanson / Hanson 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX
STi.
In the hard-fought 2WD class, victory was claimed by Car #319 Greenhouse / DeRose 1995 Plymouth Neon, and second place by
Car #289 Wiggin / Duplessis 1991 Volkswagen GTI.
STPR Final Podium: Block, Pastrana, Bacon
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Car #199 Pastrana / Edstrom 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX
STi set fast time on the Super Special Stage that closed out the Susquehannock
Trail Performance Rally.
The reigning Rally America champion ran the short course in 1:27.4, but it was
Car #43 Block / Gelsomino 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX
STi who claimed the overall win in this weekend's Round 5 of the 2009 Rally
America national championship.
Second place went to Pastrana/Edstrom, and the podium is rounded out with a
newcomer - William Bacon and Peter Watt of Canada are celebrating their first
podium finish in a Rally America event.
UPDATE: L'Estage/Richard lose transmission - finish rally anyway
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Car #17 L'Estage / Richard 2009 were towed into
service by Car #20 Comrie-Picard / Clarke 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, due to a broken
transmission.
"Our tranny finally gave out. We finished the stage and we got some help to get
back here. We've had a tough rally, but this is it - you can't repeat last year.
We'll start the super special stage, but we probably won't finish it," said
co-driver Nathalie Richard.
Late reports had the driver and co-driver pushing the car to the start of the
Super Special Stage.
9:54 PM - L'Estage and Richard pushed the car across the start line for the
Super Special Stage, and were then towed through the stage. Because of the
special rules that govern the Super Special, this is enough to ensure that
L'Estage and Richard will be counted as finishing the rally, receiving the
slowest Super Special time recorded, plus 1 minute.
Deegan/Beavis take a flying leap
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
On SS9, veteran motocross rider and CORR racer Brian Deegan and co-driver
Chrissie Beavis took their #38 2004 Subaru Impreza for an extended test flight.
"The exhaust broke, and the car started sounding really mean, like Brian's CORR
truck, and so he started going faster and faster. We caught quite a bit of
airtime - it rolled up and just launched itself backwards through the air - when
you see the marks where it's coming around the corner and how far it flew to,
it's just nuts. It's absolutely crazy," Beavis said as the crew worked to repair
the damage in time for the Super Special Stage.
Deegan had his own assessment of rally driving, relative to other pursuits:
"I thought trophy truck drivers were really talented, but I think rally driving
is where you really learn to drive. Rally drivers are better than anyone else,"
he said.
Block/Gelsomino Hold Lead into final Super Special Stage
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Car #43 Block / Gelsomino 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX
STi have held their commanding lead throughout the rally, and have 43 seconds on
Car #199 Pastrana / Edstrom 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX
STi going into the final Super Special Stage of the event. Still, the veterans
aren't counting their chickens - hoping instead to break their streak of bad
luck that has led to 3 DNFs in the first 4 rallies of the year.
"It looks good, but there's one more stage to go. We have to do this mile-long
stage, and sometimes they can be tricky. We'll just be careful and try to bring
the win home for Subaru, Monster, and Vermont SportsCar," said co-driver Alex
Gelsomino just prior to the final stage.
Comrie-Picard tows L'Estage into service
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Car #20 Comrie-Picard / Clarke 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer
Evolution IX has just been observed towing Car #17 L'Estage / Richard 2009 into the service area following SS12. #17 showing
some possibly new front end damage.
UPDATE: Mirra/Ringer DNF Day 2
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Car #40, Dave Mirra and Derek Ringer of Subaru Rally Team USA, hit a large rock
on stage and "broke a bunch of parts" according to Ringer. Team are car are
safely back in the service area.
Greenhouse Sitting First in 2WD
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
"The stages are fast, and the last one (SS9) was fun. I was a little concerned
about some of the speeds at the last one, but we had a real good time," - Chris
Greenhouse
Preliminary Results after SS9
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Unofficial and preliminary results show that Car #43 Block / Gelsomino 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STi retain a 49-second lead over
second place Car #199 Pastrana
/ Edstrom 2009 Subaru Impreza
WRX STi. Pastrana/Edstrom won stages 7 and 8, however, breaking
Block/Gelsomino's dominant streak.
Car #68 Bacon / Watt 2006 Mitsubishi EVO IX are
still in third place, trailing Pastrana/Edstrom by 29 seconds. Fourth is Car
#176 Mancin / Ciupka 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer
Evolution IX, 1 minute, 48 seconds behind Bacon/Watt.
Sitting fifth is Car #17 L'Estage / Richard
2009 , 23 seconds behind car 176.
Sixth overall is also first in SP, with Car #61 Wiktorczyk / Dorman 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STi in the lead for that class,
followed by #59 Moro/Wimpey and #523, Hanson/Hanson.
In 2WD, Car #319 Greenhouse /
DeRose 1995 Plymouth Neon leads
the class, followed by car #699 Sorensen/Iden and #311 Wright/Shindle.
Block/Gelsomino Pick Up a Penalty - Pastrana/Edstrom Cruising in Second Place
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Car #43 Block / Gelsomino 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX
STi picked up a 30 second penalty for speeding past an O-control on a transit
prior to the second service interval of the day. The duo retain their lead in
the rally.
Meanwhile, Car #199 Pastrana /
Edstrom 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX
STi have adopted a conservative stance and are focusing on holding their
second-place status.
"We're still some 40 seconds behind, and looking at the championship, we're
happy with where we are here. We are absolutely in go-safe mode, and just make
sure we keep a cushion with Bill Bacon," Edstrom says.
Class Standings at Mid-Rally
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
In Open:
# 43 Block/Gelsomino
#199 Pastrana/Edstrom
# 68 Bacon Watt
#176 Mancin/Ciupka
In SP:
# 61 Wiktorczyk/Dorman
# 40 Mirra/Ringer
# 59 Moro/Wimpey
#523 Hanson/Hanson
#494 Pakos/Sawicki
In 2WD:
#319 Greenhouse/DeRose
#699 Sorenson/Iden
# 95 Hansen/DeMotte
#311 Wright/Shindle
New strategy for Moro
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Pat Moro and guest co-driver Jeremy Wimpey were hoping to pick up the pace this
afternoon after their early strategy appeared to be costing them time. Moro said
he had been trying a road-racing approach to the course – picking conservative
lines and attempting to keep the car from sliding. It didn’t work. The duo
finished stage 6 in 8th place overall and third-place in class. Moro said he
planned to return to his regular style of slinging it sideways for the remainder
of the rally.
STPR Day 2 Retirements
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
So far today, the following cars have retired from the rally:
#811 Sozanski/Sawicki
#69 Cline/Melnik
#125 Wilburn/Crescenti
#888 Georgakopolous/Mays
#41 Tuglu/Wilburn
#724 McClelland/Jones
ACP Back on the Road!
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Car #20 Comrie-Picard / Clarke 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer
Evolution IX is back on the road for the next round of stages after replacing
the windshield. The car did a 3/4 soft roll and the team pushed the car back
onto the wheels to continue. At this point, the team is seeking finishing points
to maintain their place in the Rally America championship series.
Car 523 - Hanson/Hanson showing damage
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
This photo from SS4 shows new damage to Car #523 Hanson / Hanson 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STi. The team is now in service and
should be able to continue.
Preliminary Results coming in after SS6
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Car #43 Block / Gelsomino 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX
STi continues to dominate STPR 2009 - running 1:18 ahead of second place Car
#199 Pastrana / Edstrom 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX
STi.
Pastrana/Edstrom took over second place from Car #68 Bacon / Watt 2006 Mitsubishi EVO IX by winning two of this morning's three
stages. The two teams are running close - just 6 seconds apart.
Fourth place belongs to Car #176 Mancin / Ciupka
2007 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, and fifth to Car #61 Wiktorczyk / Dorman 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STi.
Car #20 Comrie-Picard / Clarke 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer
Evolution IX worked their way back to 16th place from 31st before rolling.
All results preliminary and unofficial.
Car 811 appears to have rolled
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Check out this photo from SS4 - showing Car #811 Sozanski / Sawicki 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX with substantial damage from an
apparent roll. It's a safe bet this team is out for the day.
ACP rolls and continues on SS4
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
UPDATE: Car #20 Comrie-Picard
/ Clarke 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer
Evolution IX has rolled, took down two trees, and pushed the car back onto the
wheels to continue on SS4. Both team members are OK and the car has just
returned to service. The windshield is out and we'll know soon if the team will
continue.
Fox/Blattner Out on SS4
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Car #54 Fox / Blattner 1996 Subaru Impreza are
reported crashed on SS4, and have asked their service crew to come and collect
the car. The Oregon-based team also went out on Day 1.
UPDATED: Car #600 Van Way / Slocum used to be having fun
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Car #600 Van Way / Slocum 2002 Ford Focus were
running Day 2 of STPR for fun - the team was out of the national yesterday after
an incident on SS1, but have come back to make the most of the warm Pennsylvania
spring day and some great rally roads.
Update: the team ended up parked with the car's nose in a river on SS6. That's
less fun.
Tuglu/Wilburn unable to continue
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Car #41 Tuglu / Wilburn 2001 is unable to
continue the rally this morning due to a broken steering rack. The team tried to
locate a compatible part from a street car, but were unable to make the part
work.
The team was leading the national 2WD rally.
STPR Day 2 Underway with Parc Expose at Wellsboro
- Saturday, June 6, 2009
Crowds were good at this morning's Parc Expose in Wellsboro, PA.
Rally cars are now competing on the first three stages of the day, totaling 28
miles of competition.
Weather today is sunny, with temperatures expected to be in the mid-high 70s,
80-85% humidity, and air pressure 30.16 and rising - great conditions for
turbocharged cars.
Car #43 Block / Gelsomino 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX
STi leads the rally by a solid minute over second place Car #68 Bacon / Watt 2006 Mitsubishi EVO IX. Car #199 Pastrana / Edstrom 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STi is just 5
seconds behind Bacon/Watt.
Start List for STPR Day 2 Published
- Friday, June 5, 2009
The start order for tomorrow morning has been published. The top ten starters
will be:
1 # 43 Block/Gelsomino
2 # 20 Comrie-Picard/Clarke
3 # 68 Bacon/Watt
4 #199 Pastrana/Edstrom
5 # 17 L'Estage/Richard
6 #176 Mancin/Ciupka
7 # 59 Moro/Wimpey
8 #198 Gruszka/Wronski
9 # 61 Wiktorczyk/Dorman
10 #40 Mirra/Ringer
First car out is at 10 AM EDT, 7 AM PDT.
5 Cars Out after Day 1 of STPR
- Friday, June 5, 2009
Five cars have DNF'ed at STPR on Day 1:
#600 Van Way/Slocum
#101 Malone/Chestnutt
# 73 Hascher/McGill
# 54 Fox/Blattner
#146 Sandell/Axelsson
Some of these cars may be back to contest the regional rally on Day 2 if they
can be repaired overnight.
Block/Gelsomino Maintain Lead after SS3
- Friday, June 5, 2009
Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino remain in the lead after Super Special Stage 3,
holding 60 seconds over second place overall Bacon/Watt.
The SRTUSA contenders have won all three stages today, beating Pastrana/Edstrom
by 0.7 seconds and Bacon/Watt by 6.4 seconds on the short fairgrounds run.
Pastrana/Edstrom are sitting third overall, and fourth spot belongs to Patrick
Moro and Jeremy Wimpey.
In fifth place are Arkadiusz Gruszka and Lukasz Wronski, and Antoine L'Estage
and Nathalie Richard are sixth.
Seventh position belongs to Andi Mancin and Ryszard Ciupka, and eighth was
claimed by Piotr Wiktorczyk and Grzegorz Dorman. SRTUSA team Dave Mirra and
Derek Ringer are currently ninth, and Team O'Neil driver Wyatt Knox and Martin
Headland are 10th.
In 2WD, Burak Tuglu and Carrie Wilburn are leading the rally, followed by Chris
Greenhouse and Don DeRose 43 seconds behind, and Erika Detota and Eric Hansen
are third in class.
Deegan/Beavis Break Two Axle Shafts on SS2
- Friday, June 5, 2009
Brian Deegan is jumping into the rally world with both feet, running his first
rally in an Open class Subaru with veteran co-driver Chrissie Beavis calling the
turns.
Deegan is best known for his performance in supercross and motocross, and is a
founding member of the Metal Mulisha.
The team is currently sitting 23rd following SS2. On the first stages, Deegan
managed to break not one, but two axle half shafts on the rough Waste Management
stage.
"It was good first stage, trying to get a feel for the car. It was going all
right, but I broke two driveshafts. I figured these guys [the service crew]
needed something to do, so I gave them something to do. It's lots of fun, I
totally enjoyed it. I like a new challenge and I like something different, but
it’s just frustrating not being good at something," he said.
Rain Falling on Super Special Stage 3
- Friday, June 5, 2009
At 7:30 PM, light rain has started to fall on the evening Super Special stage at
the Wellesboro fairgrounds.
Top 2WD After SS2
- Friday, June 5, 2009
Following SS2, unofficial and preliminary scoring shows the #41 Ford Focus of
Burak Tuglu and Carrie Wilburn leading 2WD, 22.6 seconds ahead of the #319
Plymouth Neon of Greenhouse/DeRose. The #160 1986 VW Golf of Erika Detota and
Eric Hansen is third in class.
ACP assessed 10 minute penalty
- Friday, June 5, 2009
The inquiry board shows that Andrew "ACP" Comrie-Picard has been assessed a 10
minute penalty by the event steward for an illegal service. ACP pulled into the
fueling area just after leaving MTC, but no fueling was scheduled.
This penalty drops ACP and co-driver Marshall Clarke from second overall to
31st, going into the Super Special Stages this evening. Climbing back to a
podium finish will be next to impossible. This is a tough break for the amiable
Canadian contender.
Bill Bacon on SS1/SS2
- Friday, June 5, 2009
"We were third the first time through. It was rough, and the car's making some
new noises, but if we get through today and keep going into tomorrow, we'll be
OK, I think" - Bill Bacon
#68, Bacon/Watt are currently sitting 3rd in their 2006 Mitsubishi Evo IX.
Antoine L'Estage on SS1/SS2
- Friday, June 5, 2009
"On the first stage we had a turbo hose come off about halfway through, so we
lost about a minute to the faster guys. Coming back, we had some brake problems
towards the end of the stage. Apart from that the car's OK, but it's a bad
start. It will be hard to fight for the win now. We'll just try to make up some
spots and finish at a good position" -Antoine L'Estage
L'Estage/Richard are currently sitting 5th going into this evening's Super
Special Stages.
Andrew Comrie-Picard on STPR SS1 and SS2
- Friday, June 5, 2009
"It's great to be working with Waste Management, but the stage is super tricky -
lots of gotchas. We nearly rolled on the way in and we nearly flipped on the way
out. We dragged on the nose for a while. Mitsubishis fly nose-down! We had the
second-fastest time on the way out, but Ken [Block] was just on fire" -Andrew
Comrie-Picard
Christian Edstrom on Day 1 of STPR
- Friday, June 5, 2009
"We broke the suspension on the second corner of Stage 2, so we had no front
damping all the way through the stage. It was a challenging stage" -Christian
Edstrom
Ken Block on Day 1 of STPR
- Friday, June 5, 2009
"I was actually surprised [to be leading] because we drove real conservatively
on some areas because I broke the car in there last year. The car felt really
good, I felt good, and coming back up the stage went really well" -Ken Block
Unofficial Results after SS2
- Friday, June 5, 2009
The Waste Management stage is renowned for being tough on equipment, and it
lived up to its legend today. Pastrana/Edstrom broke their suspension,
Mancin/Ciupka broke a brake line, L'Estage/Richard shook loose a turbo hose.
But the news is Block/Gelsomino, who are radically faster than every other
competitor. 9.7 seconds in the lead on SS1, they extended that lead with a 23.3
second win on SS2.
Unofficial results show Block/Gelsomino leading the rally, 46 seconds ahead of
second place Comrie-Picard/Clarke. Then Bacon/Watt a mere 7 seconds farther back
in third. Pastrana/Edstrom are sitting fourth due to suspension troubles, and
L'Estage/Richard fifth after losing a turbo pipe. Mancin/Ciupka are sixth after
severing a rear brake line.
Sandell/Axelsson Retired from STPR
- Friday, June 5, 2009
Reports coming in to Rally America HQ are telling us that car #146,
Sandell/Axelsson, have retired from the rally.
Sandell has won two Production World Rallies so far this year, and was the
Junior World Rally Champion in 2006.
Photo courtesy of www.patriksandell.com
Wyatt Knox steps up to Open class
- Friday, June 5, 2009
Wyatt Knox is lead instructor at Team O'Neil rally school in Dalton, New
Hampshire. STPR is his first rally in an Open class car. "I'm a slow guy in a
fast car. I've mostly raced older Volkswagens and Audis, but we've been
practicing a lot."
Knox and co-driver Martin Headland are reported 9th overall on SS1.
Photo courtesy of www.team-oneil.com
SS1 Unofficial Results
- Friday, June 5, 2009
#43 Block/Gelsomino were fastest on SS1, according to unofficial and preliminary
scoring. Pastrana/Edstrom were approximately 10 seconds behind in second.
Car 68, the 2006 Mitsubishi Evo of William Bacon and Peter Watt was third, and
Andrew "ACP" Comrie-Picard and Marshall Clarke were fourth in their #20
Mitsubishi Evo.
Sandell/Axelsson are reported fifth, approximately 35 seconds off the leader's
pace.
Sandell/Axelsson engine trouble reported
- Friday, June 5, 2009
Swedish P-WRC team Sandell/Axelsson can't seem to catch a break at STPR, and
have been reported with engine trouble on SS1.
SS2 is underway and we'll know the whole story when the teams return for
service.
Photo courtesy of of www.patriksandell.com
Van Way/Slocum DNF
- Friday, June 5, 2009
Car #600, Van Way/Slocum is unable to continue the rally. This leaves the way
clear for #41 Tuglu/Wilburn to advance in the 2WD national, if they can finish
the event.
But car #319, the 1995 Plymouth Neon of Chris Greenhouse and Don DeRose could
challenge Tuglu/Wilburn for the win. They're seeded right behind #41. We'll get
scores as soon as the teams return after the second running of the Waste
Management stage.
Van Way/Slocum back on the road
- Friday, June 5, 2009
Car #600, the 2002 Ford Focus of Dillon Van Way and Benjamin Slocum, current 2WD
points leaders, is reported back on the road and underway. We'll check in with
them in service after SS2.
Van Way/Slocum Reported off on SS1
- Friday, June 5, 2009
Car #600, Dillon Van Way and Benjamin Slocum are reported off course and stopped
in their 2002 Ford Focus on SS1.
"It's got some tight stuff and really gnarly bumps and jumps," Van Way said
before the stage began.
2WD Competition Heats Up
- Friday, June 5, 2009
Burak Tuglu and Carrie Wilburn in the #41 2001 Ford Focus are looking to gain
points in the 2WD national championship series standings this weekend. They are
currently third in season points.
"It's always a battle when we come out here, but we're looking forward to the
challenge. But the first thing at hand is to get through the Waste Management
stages. It's rocky and rough, very technical driving," Wilburn says.
#600, Dillon Van Way and Benjamin Slocum are also "Focused" on their points lead
in the 2WD series championship. "The roads are the biggest thing. I've never
driven narrow roads that fast, and Tuglu's just ridiculously fast. It could be
really fun, but it's going to be scary," Van Way says.
Cars leaving Parc Expose
- Friday, June 5, 2009
Cars are leaving Parc Expose and heading out for the first two stages of the
event on Waste Management lands. These roads are extremely rough and teams know
that they must both survive the stages and yet not suffer a time deficit
relative to their competition.
They'll be back for service after two times through the Waste Management stage.
Sandell/Axelsson make the race with a stock engine
- Friday, June 5, 2009
The Swedish P-WRC Team of Patrik Sandell and Emil Axelsson did get their #146
2007 Subaru Impreza running in time to make the event, but the team is running
on a stock Subaru engine.
Initial Start Order Released
- Friday, June 5, 2009
The start order has been published for Day 1, and the first ten cars on the road
will be:
1 Pastrana/Edstrom
2 Block/Gelsomino
3 L'Estage/Richard
4 Sandell/Axelsson
5 Comrie-Picard/Clarke
6 Mancin/Ciupka
7 Bacon/Watt
8 Wiktorczyk/Dorman
9 Mirra/Ringer
10 Hanson/Hanson
Welcome to STPR 2009!
- Friday, June 5, 2009
The Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally, Round 5 of the Rally America national
championship series is set to go in lovely Wellesboro, Pennsylvania.
Currently, the weather is overcast in the 50s, with showers possible this
afternoon as the cars take to the stages. Light sprinkles are reported in the
service area.
On the clay road surfaces of STPR, any moisture on the ground can make the roads
as slick as ice. This afternoon's Waste Management stages are known to be rough,
and could take some cars out early.
In addition to the usual front-runners Pastrana/Edstrom, Block/Gelsomino,
Bacon/Watt, and Mirra/Ringer, the Swedish P-WRC team of Patrik Sandell and Emil
Axelsson have entered the rally in a 2007 Subaru Impreza.
Sandell and Axelsson have already had an eventful week, losing an engine in
practice. A new engine was brought in and the team is expected to run strongly
for the podium and an X Games invitation.
Several teams have had personnel changes for the event, including top contender
Andrew Comrie-Picard, who will be taking direction from Marshall Clarke. Clarke
is a veteran of the 2008 X Games and over 400 rallies worldwide, and is sitting
in for Robbie Durant.
Tanner Foust is busy with a drifting event this weekend, and his co-driver
Chrissie Beavis will ride with Brian Deegan in a 2004 Subaru.
Andi Mancin is partnered with Ryszard Ciupka this weekend, in Mancin's 2007
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX.
Additionally, the Canadian team of Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard are
here running their 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X.
In 2WD, Dillon Van Way and Benjamin Slocum will defend their points lead in
their 2002 Ford Focus. The second place team of John Conley and Keith Rudolph is
not here this weekend, but the third place team of Burak Tuglu and Carrie
Wilburn will attempt to close the points gap in their 2001 Ford Focus. Chris
Greenhouse and Don DeRose are always a force to reckoned with in their 1995
Plymouth Neon.
39 teams are now ready to race. STPR has a reputation for being tough on
first-timers, and slippery when wet. The challenge is set and the cars are ready
to rally.
