Alex Gelsomino co-driving Car '0'
- Saturday, April 30, 2011
Alex Gelsomino, Ken Block's co-driver on the Monster World Rally Team, is guest
co-driving for Lee Sorenson in the Course Opening Zero car. Gelsomino, who has
spent much of his career rallying in the USA, had time in between MWRT's World
Rally Championship events to call some notes at Olympus.
Lagemann blows head gasket
- Saturday, April 30, 2011
Ramana Lagemann and co-driver Chrissie Beavis have retired after blowing a head
gasket on SS2. Lagemann was expected to finish Olympus with a good result, but
this DNF is another disappointing setback to his Super Production title bid.
L’Estage closes the gap on SS2
- Saturday, April 30, 2011
Mitsubishi Rockstar driver Antoine L’Estage has closed the gap on rally leader
David Higgins, putting them 0.2 seconds apart after SS2. Pat Richard continues
to hold 3rd and Travis Hanson sits in 4th and 1st in SP class. Subaru’s Dave
Mirra has moved up to 5th overall after Lauchlin O’Sullivan had issues with
power cutting out and dropped two places to 7th. Crews will now test the rally’s
longest loop with four consecutive stages before returning to the South Bend
Service Park.
Van Way retires early
- Saturday, April 30, 2011
Ford Racing Fiesta driver Dillon Van Way and co-driver Jake Blattner were forced
to retire after breaking a driveshaft approximately 2 miles into SS1. The crew
was able to complete the stage but did not have a replacement and reported that
the car was as fast as it's ever been until they broke. Van Way will get spares
overnight and enter Sunday's Regional in order to get more competitive miles on
the recently upgraded car.
Higgins draws first blood
- Saturday, April 30, 2011
Subaru Rally Team USA’s David Higgins and co-driver Craig Drew took an unusual
chance on tire choice and ran SS1 with 18” rallycross tires! The duo from the UK
takes a slight lead of the rally with 2.8 seconds on Antoine L’Estage and
Nathalie Richard. Pat Richard and his new co-driver Leanne Junnila are third
fastest so far with Championship leader Travis Hanson trailing them by 3.4
seconds. The Hansons are the fastest Super Production crew, going into SS2 with
4 seconds on Lauchlin O’Sullivan.
Seven teams fighting for victory
- Saturday, April 30, 2011
There are seven drivers with a chance of landing a spot on the overall podium.
Travis Hanson will be working hard to retain his Championship lead, but has a
target on his back as the top Open class teams look to get ahead. SRT USA’s
David Higgins is driving a new, more powerful car and teammate Dave Mirra is
within striking distance of Hanson. Canadian rally stars Antoine L’Estage and
Pat Richard are unquestionable podium contenders. Ex-factory drivers Ramana
Lagemann and Lauchlin O’Sullivan are in Super Production cars, but have the
potential to finish in or right outside the top three. Who do you think will win
it? VOTE NOW: bit.ly/jIbSjv
Deep field for Olympus
- Saturday, April 30, 2011
57 of the quickest crews in the nation are entered in the rally including some
of the best drivers in the Pacific Northwest. Olympus is staging the opening
round of the MaxAttack! Two-Wheel-Drive Championship and has twenty-one 2WD
entries fighting for $5000 in cash prizes.
See the full Entry List here: bit.ly/lvAXFF
Weather & Road Conditions
- Saturday, April 30, 2011
This weekend we're expecting nice, dry weather with partly cloudy skies and
temperatures of 53°F to 61°F. Competitors will run a total of 88.73 competitive
miles over 12 special stages – 8 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday. The Western
Washington logging roads used as stages this year are mostly dry and have
sections of smooth, hard-packed gravel that resemble tarmac in places. The
gravel used in grating these roads consists of large, sharp rocks that will be
tough on the first crews sweeping the stages.
Start Order for Day One
- Saturday, April 30, 2011
Teams are at Parc Expose at the Ocean Shores Convention Center with first car
due out at 9:00am Pacific Time. The start order for Saturday is:
1. Antoine L'Estage / Nathalie Richard
2. David Higgins / Craig Drew
3. Patrick Richard / Leanne Junnila
4. Dave Mirra / Marshall Clarke
5. Ramana Lagemann / Christine Beavis
Continued: bit.ly/iEVKwl
Welcome to the Olympus Rally!
- Friday, April 29, 2011
The 2011 Rally America Championship moves into its third round of six this
weekend with the Olympus Rally in Ocean Shores, Washington. Teams have returned
from Recce and are making final preparations for Saturday and Sunday's action.
Watch this space for updates, info, and links to content throughout the
weekend!
Event Schedule: bit.ly/iO1Txx
Spectator Guide: bit.ly/dFZUcv
