Cline is unable to make it, Detota races Exedy Rally Team

Evan Cline, from Cline Racing Sports (CRS), was forced to withdraw from the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally (STPR) last weekend under the recommendations from his doctor due to a viral infection. Team sponsor Exedy Racing Clutch offered on Wednesday morning before the race to support 2010 United States Rally Championship (USRC) 2WD champion Erika Detota.

The never before paired team of Detota and CRS co-driver Greg Dorman was an interesting mix to see together and they proved very good results at both regional rallies. Driving her 2WD Subaru Impreza, Erika finished Finger Lakes Rally 3rd in Group 2 class on Friday and 2nd on the Saturday stages battling rain and muddy conditions. Detota now leads Group 2 class and sits 4th in overall classification of the Rally America Eastern Regional Championship.

Later in the year Erika will focus on defending her 2WD United States Rally Championship title, which she impressively earned last year in her rookie season. The early success and support of Erika is a testament to the generosity of the rally community in the United States who sees few woman drivers compete in the sport.

Evan Cline, CRS driver: “I am feeling better every day, it was cool to see Erika racing in my place and do so well. I hope to be completely better for Wicked Big Meet to talk to all the Subaru rally fans and support Exedy. The team will be back together and will close the season at New England Forest Rally.”

Erika Detota, 2010 USRC 2WD champion: “I really appreciate the help from Exedy Racing Clutch. I feel honored to receive their support for this event and had a great time. From co-driver, to crew chief I got the works from Exedy and it definitely showed in the results.”

Grzegorz Dorman, CRS co-driver: “I’m very glad that Exedy Racing Clutch picked Erika to receive their sponsorship for STPR. By supporting a beginner driver the brand showed investment in the future of rally. This was just Erika’s fourth event on the dirt and some of our stage times were pretty impressive.”

Exedy hopes to see Detota continue her growth and one day be a top contender in the Rally America series it sponsors.

Cline Racing Sports / Exedy Rally Team car will be on display at the Wicked Big Meet, the largest Subaru gathering on the East Coast, followed the final round of the championship at New England Forest Rally in Maine.

Cline Racing Sports is proudly supported by Exedy Racing Clutch, Disc Brakes Australia, Hawk, Recaro, Innovate Motorsports, Magnus Motorsports, Whiteline and Mobsteel.

Erika Detota has been involved closely with the Keep a Breast foundation raising the awareness of breast cancer and carrying the foundation slogan on her rally car: “I love boobies.” Her additional supporters include Big Boulder Park and Broken Motorsports.

Photos by James Michael Evan Henry – www.EnvuMedia.com

Flat Out Promotions (Rally Notes show producer) is Cline Racing Sports’s media partner – www.FlatOutPromo.com
For more information about the event go to www.STPR.org
For more information about the 2011 Rally America National Series go to www.rally-america.com
For more information about the team go to www.ClineRacingSports.com
For more information about Erika Detota go to www.ErikaDetota.com

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Throughout 2011 Hanson and his team have shown great maturity using strategy and consistent driving, the Pennsylvanian event was no exception taking their 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI to claim fourth overall, and second place in the Super Production class.

It wasn’t all smooth for Hanson. He battled personal allergies and drastically changing road conditions throughout the weekend, affecting his focus. By reducing speed and working as a team Travis and Terry got to the end of the rally as proud champions.

Pending the appeal lodged against the OTR protest ruling, Hanson will have secured the Super Production class title by taking four consecutive class victories from the start of the season, a feat which no other driver has achieved to-date in the Rally America sanctioned series.

An elated Hanson said, “I am so excited about the Championship. We have been fighting for this for years. To be able to accomplish this goal with my dad is awesome.”

Championship and race wins most often focus on the driver, but in reality to get a rally car through an entire season, on some of the toughest terrains, it takes a solid team effort. Hanson wants to thank and praise his devoted team who worked so hard for the success earned.

“Our crew has been amazing all year. The pre-event preparations were immaculate helping on the really rough stages” said Travis, adding “The entire year has been great, and we could not have done it without each person involved. Thank you to our sponsors Team O’Neil Rally School, Olson’s Auto Body, OSLV, Exedy, Broken Motorsports and Dick Hannah Subaru for their support, without their backing we would not have had the opportunity to achieved what we have.”

Hanson sits third in the overall Rally America National Championship standings, with the New England Forest Rally next in the schedule, which he plans to contest. The Newry, Maine based rally is the final round of the 2011 Rally America National Championship season, and Hanson has a new goal, shooting for overall honors saying “we will go to NEFR ready to defend our top 3 position.”

Photo Credits: World Rally Sport- Mike Proulx and Envumedia- James Henry
Text: Ian Price

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The team got off to a quick start on day one by winning a rough and technical first stage. This momentum was carried into Friday night’s Super Special Stage where they won their head-to-head match against a more powerful Super Production car. Carrying a decisive lead into day two, the team chose to run a conservative pace as the rally entered the fast and narrow tree-lined stages. This strategy ensured their first place finish with a 1:43 margin of victory over their closest competitor while conserving the car for the second regional rally.

Heavy rain greeted the team as they headed out after the first service, so they once again chose to take a conservative pace during the early stages of the second regional. As conditions improved the team upped their pace, scored four additional stage wins, and built a comfortable one-minute lead heading into the final stage. Back in front of the fans, they made quick work of the Super Special Stage and clinched their second victory of the weekend.

The team would like to thank their fans, sponsors and support crew without whom they could not rally. The team also thanks the volunteers and organizers, without whom no team could rally. Jason and Jared are supported by: ditch Gear, Annapolis Subaru, DirtyImpreza.com, Big Boulder PARK, Turn In Concepts, Mishimoto, Pit Crew, and Valkyrie Motorsports.

Photo by Andy Casson

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Unfortunately on Friday’s Super Special Stage Mark and Robert sustained a lower ball joint failure one corner from the finish. This resulted in an added two minutes onto their accumulated time for the entire day. Despite the added time, the pair still managed to finish second overall in the Finger Lakes Rally. Working late into the night, the MAP Rally Team crew consisting of Mark’s friends and family resolved the issue and had the car ready for the next competitive stage. Even with heavy rainfall on STPR’s clay based roads, Mark and Robert successfully finished Saturday’s Sherwood Forest Rally second overall without any mishaps.

“Considering this is only my third rally ever, I was very pleased to see that I had competitive top 10 national times throughout the weekend and even one top 6. To be honest, I still have a lot in reserve but because of my tight financial situation I simply cannot afford to push like I know I can. But that will come with time…” said a smiling Mark Piatkowski. “I ve put my heart and soul into rally, and it’s a big relief to see that everything went according to plan.”

“Being called in at the very last minute to sit alongside Mark, who I knew was a fairly new driver, I was unsure what to expect” explained co-driver Robert Maciejski.” A few corners into the rally, I was immediately impressed by his car control skills and knew that the weekend would end as a success. Over the course of the event we definitely clicked and I look forward to assisting him in becoming the driver both he and I believe he will be.”

Mark would like to thank all of the organizers and volunteers who put together, yet another flawless STPR. Furthermore he would like to thank his relentlessly hardworking crew who not only help him to prepare months in advance, but also take the time to come out to every event. Lastly he would like to thank all of his supportive fans/media who cheer him on along the stages so loudly that they end up voiceless, “You know who you guys are.”

For more information please visit www.MAP-Rally.com and like “MAP Rally Team” on Facebook.

Written by Dana Ahern
Photos by James Henry, Zack Thomas, Dana Ahern

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Chris normally competes in RallyAmerica Regional events but this year has opted to also run a limited program in selected National 2WD events. So far, his non-turbocharged, Group 2-spec Neon has climbed the podium twice this year in a class where turbocharging and engine power are unrestricted. A third-place finish at Sno*Drift Rally and a second-place finish at Rally in the 100 Acre Wood means that Chris is now in second place in the 2WD National Championship series points behind Wyatt Knox’ Mazda 3 and just ahead of the Ford Fiesta of Dillon Van Way.

Chris and the Weasel RallySports team would like to thank EBC Brakes, Angry Sheep Motorsports, JayRacing, EZ Auto Accessories, and Silco Fire Protection for their continued support during the 2011 season.

Photo by Greg McCracken

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Third victory in a row extends Higgins points lead in Rally America National Championship

Subaru Rally Team USA driver David Higgins and co-driver Craig Drew have won the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally (STPR), round five of the 2011 Rally America National Championship, by a mere 1.3 seconds over rival Antoine L’Estage. Higgins and L’Estage battled back and forth throughout the event with Higgins staging a late rally comeback that saw him take the rally lead on the penultimate stage after overcoming a thirty-seven second deficit midway through the final day of action. The amazingly close finish came after over 120 stage miles spanning two days of competition on high-speed forest roads of north-central Pennsylvania. The win at STPR is Higgins’ third victory in a row in the series and extends his points lead in the Rally America National Championship standings heading into the sixth and final round next month, the New England Forest Rally.

Higgins’ Subaru teammate Dave Mirra with co-driver Marshall Clarke finished 5th overall after staging his own comeback by working his way up the leaderboard from a 12th overall position after giving up nearly eleven minutes due to a pivotal pace notes error. Mirra’s Subaru STI sustained damage from the resulting accident but remained mechanically sound, and Mirra was able to continue and impressively work his way up the field for a valuable points finish.

The battle between Higgins, a winner at STPR in 2002 and 2003, and Antoine L’Estage, the defending Rally America Champion and 2010 STPR winner, was exceptional. L’Estage struck first and grabbed a 14 second lead after a short first day of competition. Higgins then battled back early on day-two and took a slight lead before dropping time when his in-car intercom with co-driver Craig Drew failed while on-stage forcing Higgins to slow down while they used an improvised hand signal system.

“With no intercom it was very challenging, Craig (Drew) would be waving signals to me but it was hard to see his hands and to know what exactly he was trying to tell me,” explained Higgins. “In the end I worked out that when he was waving like crazy I needed to slow down!”

Higgins was then hampered by a tire puncture in-stage that slowed him further, leaving him thirty-seven seconds adrift of L’Estage with just four forest stages and one short Super Special Stage remaining. Higgins then pushed his Subaru STI to the limit and began to catch L’Estage on the final loop of stages. In a nail biting comeback Higgins eventually overtook L’Estage on the penultimate stage and took a 2.5 second lead into the final Super Special Stage where he held off L’Estage’s final charge to win by a mere 1.3 seconds.

“It was a fantastic battle with Antoine and (co-driver) Nathalie (Richard). It’s always great to win a close fight so think I will remember this for some time,” said Higgins at the podium celebration. All of STPR’s competition stages were won by either Higgins or L’Estage, with Higgins fastest on seven stages and L’Estage six.

STPR is round five of the six-round Rally America Championship and is based in Wellsboro, PA. STPR features some of the fastest roads in the series with many technical sections with trees closely lining the roads. Severe dust caused visibility issues until approximately midway on day-two, when heavy rains in the area challenged teams with slippery roads.

Subaru Rally Team USA is proudly supported by Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru Tecnica International (STI), Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT), BFGoodrich Tires, RECARO, Vision X, Alpinestars, Motul, Exedy, VP Fuels and Vermont SportsCar. For more information on Subaru Rally Team USA, as well as exclusive photo and video galleries visit subaru.com/rally and for the latest news follow the team on Twitter: twitter.com/srtusa.

Photos: Lars Gange | subaru.com/rally

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The Rockstar Mitsubishi crew of Antoine L’Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard finished in a close second place after controlling the rally lead up until the second to last stage. The privateer driver set a blistering pace from the start despite being down on power and went on to win six of the event’s fourteen stages including both passes of the Super Special at the Tioga Fairgrounds.

The Susquehannock Trail Rally is round five of the six-round Rally America Championship and is based in Wellsboro, PA. STPR features some of the fastest, roughest gravel stages in the Series with technical sections and ‘gotcha’s’ scattered throughout. Severe dust caused visibility issues until about Stage 8, when heavy rains in the area challenged teams with slippery roads. The changing weather conditions contributed to an already heavy rate of attrition, putting several of the top crews and many regional competitors out of the event or out of contention.

The podium was rounded out by Ramana Lagemann and co-driver Chrissie Beavis, who once again placed third overall and first in the Super Production (SP) class. Lagemann nearly retired from the rally early on day two after running out of fuel on Stage 7 only three miles from the finish. Lagemann’s Subaru sputtered to a stop on the following transit, but rival SP class driver Travis Hanson displayed excellent sportsmanship by towing him back to Service. Travis Hanson and co-driver Terry Hanson placed fourth overall and second in class, clinching the 2011 Super Production title at STPR. The remainder of the Super Production field fell victim to attrition, leaving Lagemann and Hanson as the only crews in the class to finish the event.

In Two-Wheel-Drive (2WD) competition, Chris Greenhouse piloted his 1995 Plymouth Neon to his first-ever National class victory. Greenhouse and co-driver Billy Mann finished sixth overall with a 38 second lead over the second fastest team in their class and were the quickest 2WD crew on both passes of the Super Special. Brian Gottlieb and co-driver Pat Darrow placed second in class in their 1989 Honda Civic with a comfortable cushion of over one minute on Dillon Van Way. Van Way and co-driver Jake Blattner placed third in 2WD despite losing time on Stage 7 after rolling their 2011 Ford Fiesta.

2010 Two-Wheel-Drive champion Chris Duplessis is the first in North America to build and field a Ford Fiesta R2, which made its U.S. debut at STPR. Duplessis and co-driver Catherine Woods’ rally came to a disappointing end after breaking a control arm tie rod near the finish of Stage 12. Duplessis was sitting sixth overall and was well over 8 minutes ahead of his 2WD rivals when he retired.

The 2011 Rally America National Championship comes down to the wire at the sixth and final round, the New England Forest Rally based in Newry, Maine this July 15-16.

About RallyCar

Based in Golden Valley, Minn., RallyCar sanctions the premier performance rally series in the United States, the Rally America National Championship Series. In 2011, RallyCar is conducting six National Championship events at venues across the country, from Olympia, Washington to Newry, Maine. RallyCar competitors reach speeds of well over 100 mph in modified street cars on natural-terrain courses consisting of gravel, dirt or snow. Additionally, RallyCar sanctions the 2011 U.S. Rallycross Championship featuring rally cars racing door-to-door on tricky tarmac/dirt race tracks. More information about rally and rallycross can be found at www.rally-america.com, and videos can viewed at www.youtube.com/rallyamericaseries.

RallyCar’s 2011 Rally America National Championship is proudly supported by Subaru of America, Inc., VP Racing Fuels, Best Buy, Grassroots Motorsports Magazine, Danza del Sol Winery, Ford Racing, Team O’Neil Rally School, RECARO USA, Hawk Performance Brakes, Exedy Racing Clutches, Racewatches.com and Rally-Tire.com.

Higgins and Lagemann photo credit: http://WorldRallySport.com | Mike Proulx
Greenhouse photo credit: http://WorldRallySport.com | Mat Janiak

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The next challenge for the team is the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally (STPR) on June 3, 4 based in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. While the event is a country long tow from Portland, it is a homecoming of sorts for co-driver Patrick Darrow. Darrow is from the Wellsboro area and his first rally memories are of blazing lights, burping anti-lag, and glowing rotors on the STPR stages. Darrow remarks, “Running STPR is really a living the dream kind of moment for me. To say I am stoked to run these stages would be an understatement.” STPR is an event with a long history and great roads. The character of these roads is continually changing between tight and technical and blazingly fast, know for the large hardwood tree trunks lurking just inches into the shoulder.

The Drifters will then follow the series north to compete in the finale at the New England Forest Rally in Newry, Maine on July 15, 16. There they will look to wrap up a rookie season on the national scene that saw lots of hard fought battles, new friends.

Brian and Pat would like to thank the awesome crew and friends that call themselves the Dirty Drifters, Garth Ankeny at Tackside Motorsports, Derik Nelson for building a great car, Sean Medcroft for his heroic efforts doing the re-prep, and the Oregon Rally Group. If it were not for the efforts of these friends competing at this level would not be possible. Thanks for all you do.

And don’t forget to look for Dirty Drifters’ Pirate Radio coming to a service park near you!

Photo: Aaron Kathman

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Cline Racing Sports (CRS) driver Evan Cline rejoins Rally America Championship

Evan Cline of Brighton, MI and co-driver Greg Dorman of Holmes, NY will again be racing the Rally America National Championship Series on the first weekend of June at the Susquehannonck Trail Performance Rally (STPR) based in Wellsboro, PA. Cline and Dorman are surprisingly sitting sixth in Super Production class championship standings after skipping two events on the west coast. Their position leaves the chance for a possible podium finish at the end of the season.

The 35th running of STPR will include over 122 miles of spectacular stages in central Pennsylvania, with two days of competition (June 3rd and 4th) and will feature a crowd pleasing Super Special Stage at the Tioga County Fairgrounds where fans can meet the teams and watch them race over a jump.

Evan Cline, CRS driver: “We can still do well this season if we race clean. That is our focus for the rest of the season and I’m confident to get the best result possible. I’m also excited about new possibilities for 2012 season.”

Grzegorz Dorman, CRS co-driver: “STPR is my favorite event on the calendar. I like the pace from fast sections to technical and there are so many fans on the stages. The event is known for spectacular roads and the town of Wellsboro loves to come out to support the rally.”

After STPR, Cline Racing Sports / Exedy Rally Team car will be on display at the Wicked Big Meet, the largest Subaru gathering on the East Coast, followed the final round of the championship at New England Forest Rally in Maine.

Cline Racing Sports is proudly supported by Exedy Racing Clutch, Disc Brakes Australia, Hawk, Recaro, Innovate Motorsports, Magnus Motorsports, Whiteline and Mobsteel.

Flat Out Promotions (Rally Notes show producer) is Cline Racing Sports’s media partner.
For more information about the event go to www.STPR.org
For more information about the 2011 Rally America National Series go to www.rally-america.com
For more information about the team go to www.ClineRacingSports.com

Photo by Tim Williams

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As the oldest, continuously-running motorsports event in the state of Pennsylvania, the 2011 STPR event, which is round five of the RallyCar Championship Series, will take place June 3 and 4, 2011, in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. The rally, promoted by the Finger Lakes STPR Motorsports LLC committee, is chaired by Meridith Croucher, from Newark, N.Y. (Rochester area), and she reports the Committee is pleased to announce that recent format which includes racing stages at the Tioga County Fairgrounds is now being combined with both a Friday and Saturday appearance of the cars on the Green in the center of town.

“This has become a very popular family event, especially with the Fairground stages, where kids can get up close to the rally cars, meet the drivers, enjoy some refreshments, and then watch the cars battle on a closed course for competitive times and a chance to win the event,” she said, “but some local residents and merchants have missed the second appearance of the cars on the Green on Saturday.”

“We have brought that back by instituting a Parc Expose – an open exhibition of the cars – on the Green at noon on Friday for the traditional viewing and ceremonial send-off into the Waste Management territory for the timed racing stages, plus a revival of the Saturday morning send-off from the Green as well,” said Ms. Croucher.

The Fairgrounds stages cost five dollars for admission each day, with event tickets on sale in advance at the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce (info at 570-724-1926).

One of the other changes made several years ago – the transition of STPR to an alcohol-free event – has helped enhance the family enjoyment of the rally for everyone, and made the administration of the event, both in town and in the woods, easier.

More than 40 race cars, the infusion of millions of dollars to local area businesses rivaling a national convention, and RallyCar championship points chase all highlight the arrival of STPR to the state forests near the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, again announcing the coming of spring in Tioga County.

Citizens & Northern Bank, Waste Management return

With Waste Management, plus Citizens and Northern Bank and the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce sponsorship of the event helping to defray overhead expenses, the STPR Committee is able to offer the rally to the area at little or no cost to the community. Besides the 400 volunteers who work the rally – many of whom come in from out of town and use local services – another estimated 10,000 people come to the Wellsboro area either as spectators or workers for the various teams and their sponsors.

What is STPR and Performance Rally?

The Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally was first conducted by the Finger Lakes Region, SCCA in 1977, with the assistance of members of other sports car clubs in the Rochester, NY area. Members of these clubs (Triumph Touring Club, Corvair Owners Club, MG Car Club and others) had experience with previous performance events such as the Snowblower and Lunar Lunge which ran out of Rochester as early as 1965 and were part of the M.O.N.Y. series (Michigan, Ohio and New York), the forerunner of the SCCA ProRally series.

In the United States, performance rally teams have a driver and co-driver (or navigator) for each car, and the competitors race in segments (or stages) on closed public roads, trying to get from the beginning to the end of the stage as fast as they can. Unlike other forms of motorsports, there is no practice allowed, and the course is not revealed to the competitors until the navigator receives the route instructions before the start of the event. The navigator then barks out the route instructions while the drive proceeds – sometimes at speeds exceeding 100 miles-per-hour – through forest, desert, and logging around at events around the country. The cars, all street legal to allow driving on public roads between racing stages, are compact and sub-compact cars with varying amounts of performance modifications depending on the class they are running in. The sight of these cars, running at speed through the woods to beat the clock, makes exciting spectating for the fans who come out to watch performance rally.

STPR was the last of the great endurance events on the national schedule maintaining the one day format and is designed with a high stage/transit mileage ratio and, thanks to the outstanding cooperation of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), some of the best and most demanding roads in the country.

The Waste Management Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally presented by Citizens and Northern Bank is a National Rally, approximately 280 miles long with approximately 127 miles of competitive stages. The Sherwood Forest Rally is a Regional Rally, coefficient 2, which includes Stages One through Seven and is approximately 52 miles. The Finger Lakes Rally is a Regional Rally, coefficient 3, which includes Stages Eight through Fourteen and is approximately 71 miles.

In 2008, STPR changed to a new two-day format to better utilize new competitive content, and give spectators more daylight viewing options. The Super Special Stages at the Tioga County Fairgrounds sponsored by Subaru and will once again run once on Friday and once on Saturday. STPR has six spectator locations to show the sport to maximum advantage in all its exciting aspects to the public and media.

VIP Super Pass Back for 2011

After last year’s sold-out STPR VIP Super Pass, the Committee is continuing its expanded spectator option to include separate Friday and Saturday programs for those who might not be able to do both days.

Starting Friday afternoon with the Waste Management stages, where you will be escorted to a private viewing area, to Saturday afternoon, when a bus will take you to a secluded, private area to watch the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon stages, you can get a view of the action previous reserved only for the working media. Food and drinks will be served, and VIP Super Pass holders will receive special rally mementos. Bring your camera for even better photos than before.

Plus, there will be VIP seating for the stages both Friday and Saturday nights at the Tioga County Fairgrounds. Bus transportation will be provided to and from the Fairgrounds to all points. All this for only $50.00 per person per day – kids are not free, as the number of VIP Super Passes are limited. Pick them up today at the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce and Tioga Publishing Company, or call 570-724-1926 for additional information.

The Waste Management Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally, presented by Citizens & Northern Bank, is a National Rally, approximately 300 miles long with approximately 128 miles of competitive stages. The Sherwood Forest Rally is a Regional Rally (for competitors who are not running for national Rally America Championship points), coefficient 2 that includes Stages One through Six and is approximately 48 miles. The Finger Lakes Rally is a Regional Rally, coefficient 3 that includes Stages Seven through Ten and is approximately 80 miles – both Regional rallies are run in conjunction with the full national event.

Rally car racing is considered the extreme sport of automobile racing and is often described simply as “real cars, real roads, real fast.” This all-season motorsport sees drivers and their co-drivers take modified road cars to the limit as they achieve blistering speeds over courses that cover more than 100 miles of gravel, dirt or snow-covered roads.

The 2011 RallyCar National Championship series consists of six exciting events throughout the country in many different weather and road conditions. Top teams in the series are also invited to compete in the Summer X Games, the leading action sports event broadcast live on ABC and ESPN – with some of those spots being decided at STPR. Among the marques typically represented in Rally America events are Subaru, Mitsubishi, Dodge, Ford and Volkswagen.

L’Estage/Richard Won 2010 STPR

Antoine L’Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard, from St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, survived a big rain storm that came through North Central Pennsylvania to win the 2010 Waste Management Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally (STPR) presented by Citizens & Northern Bank.

This was Antoine’s second win in three years at STPR in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, and expanded his points lead over Nashua, NH’s Bill Bacon and co-driver Peter Watt, who finished second in their Mitsubishi Evo IX. It was the boost that L’Estage and Richard needed to carry them to the series championship. But the rally didn’t start off that well for the winning team, however, as they lost a power steering fluid hose fitting on the second stage, and their competitors actually save the day.

“The hose popped off during the last part of the stage, making it very difficult to steer. Fortunately, the real twisty part of the stage was over, but the next stage would have been a disaster with no power steering. But competitors Bill Bacon and Pat Moro saw we were in trouble, and dove under the hood to get the fitting back on so we could not only complete stage three, but we won the stage. That’s real sportsmanship,” said L’Estage, a two-time Canadian and North American Rally Champion.

“We realized by that time that we were competitive, and the car was good, but we couldn’t quite go as fast as Block(Ford factory driver Ken Block), so we set our own pace and concentrated on keeping ahead of Bill Bacon, who was just behind us in the standings. When Ken broke, our strategy paid off, and we were able to take the victory” said L’Estage, who won his first Rally America title a month later.

The two favored, factory-backed entries – the Ford Fiesta of Ken Block/Alex Gelsomino and the Subaru Impreza of Dave Mirra/Martin Headland – both failed to complete the rally, leaving the top spots up for grabs for the Mitsubishis. Block was leading the event until he lost his transmission on stage #10, while Mirra went off the road at high speed on stage five, bending both the front and back of the car. Mirra was okay, and co-driver Headland was taken to Wellsboro Hospital with back pain, but was treated and released.

Third was the Subaru Impreza of Ramana Lagemann/Christine Beavis, the highest finishing Subaru (they also won the Super Production class). Fourth overall and second in Super Production was the Subaru Impreza of Tim Rooney/Jeremy Wimpey, while the Patrick Moro Ole Holter Subaru Impreza was fifth overall and third in Super Production.

Charity Rally to Benefit Cancer Society

On Friday, June 3, the 22th annual Relay for Life street rally will take place in conjunction with the STPR event. This year’s event will benefit the Tioga Country chapter of the American Cancer Society, and is opened to the general public.

A time-speed-distance rally designed for any legal vehicle, within the legal speed limit, on high quality paved and unpaved roads in Tioga County. This event will not use the forest roads of the Performance Rally. The instructions will have a mileage to each turn, and are intended to be easy to follow. There are no tricks or traps involved in following the course. Awards in four classes: Novice (less than six (6) rallies by anyone in the car); Stock (stock odometer & single memory calculator); Limited (any equipment which cannot accumulate time and distance simultaneously, including non-programmable calculator, relocated odometer, – SCCA class “L” equipment; and Equipped (anything goes). Door Prizes, too. No limit to the number of people in each car. Limited to the first 50 paid entries.

Registration for the charity rally is from 11:00 a.m – 1:00 p.m., with a class for newcomers to time-speed-distance road rallying at 12:30 p.m. – all at the Tioga County Fairgrounds. There is a mandatory drivers meeting at 1:00 p.m., and the three-hour event starts at 1:31 p.m. the fee for paid, pre-registered competitors is $35/car before May 25, and $40/car after that. More information can be found at www.stpr.org.

Schedule of Events – 2011 STPR

All Registration activities occur at the Tioga County Fairgrounds, Route 6 between Mansfield and Wellsboro, PA.

STPR is an alcohol-free event!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011
7-9 p.m.,Registration at the Tioga County Fairgrounds for competitors, service crews, officials & scrutineers

Thursday, June 2, 2011
9 a.m.- Noon/2-5 p.m./7-9 p.m., Competitor Registration and Service Crew Registration Hours NOTE: If you need special consideration, please contact the Competitor Registrar.

9 a.m.-1 p.m./2:30-8 p.m.,Volunteer registration for STPR NOTE: If you need special consideration, please contact the Volunteer Registrar.

3-8 p.m.,Scrutineering for all cars. No appointment needed. Team Crew at Scrutineering must be registered!

Friday, June 3, 2011
9-11 a.m.,Competitor Registration/Service Crew Registration

9-11 a.m.,Scrutineering open, no appointments needed. If you need Scrutineering after this time please contact the Chief for special consideration.

9 a.m.-1 p.m./2:30 – 8 p.m.,Volunteer registration for STPR NOTE: If you need special consideration, please contact the Volunteer Registrar.

10:30 a.m – 11:30 a.m. – Novice seminar fo new rallyists – Fairgrounds

Noon – ,Parc Expose opens at the Green in Wellsboro

1 p.m.,All cars must be checked in to MTC/Mandatory Drivers meeting with Rally America Stewards at the fountain at the Green

2:01 p.m.,The Waste Management Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally Phase 1 begins (Sherwood Forest Rally Begins)

7 p.m. (approx),Subaru Super Special Stage, sponsored by the Philadelphia Zone of Subaru of America, at Tioga County Fairgrounds

9 p.m. (approx) – Welcome party

Saturday, June 4, 2011
7-10 a.m.,Service Crew Registration on the Green at STPR merchandise Tent

8:30 a.m.,Parc Expose opens around the Green in Wellsboro

9 a.m.,All cars must be checked in to MTC

10 a.m.,The Waste Management Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally Phase 2 begins (Sherwood Forest Regional Rally continues)

12:50 p.m. (approx) – ,Scrutineering for cars wanting to RE-enter the second rally, located near food pavilion – Germania Service. Finger Lakes Regional Rally begins at Germania.

6.50 p.m.,First car arrives at fairgrounds. Begin 15 minute Service and Parc Ferme.

8:15 p.m. (approx),Subaru SSS begins

10 p.m.(approx) – Party at the Fairgrounds for all participants. Tickets are required.

ASAP after Rally ends – ,Posting of Provisional Scores

30 minutes after posting -,Deadline for filing Scoring Inquiries & Claims

After scores are finalized – Awards Presentation at the Fairgrounds

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