Rally America 2013

[Humber]

Rally America starts with the Sno*drift Rally. New livery for Block.

Home | Rally America (http://www.rally-america.com/)


Sno*Drift 2013 (http://www.sno-drift.org/)

[Sulland]

Petter Solberg will fit direct into the american way, and get more focus to the sport over there!
Maybe a combo btw Rally and Rallycross would be perfect.

Ken Block should give him a call, and give him an offer he cant refuse !!

[Humber]

Block 'warms' up for the Sno*drift.

Ken Block tests for Sno*Drift 2013: With face melting metal and slo-mo. - YouTube (http://youtu.be/gGwvyVBOyv4)

[James Graham]

I'm a big fan of Rally America and the crews involved in it.

We think we've got it bad with rallying being a niche sport in the UK, those guys have it ten times worse. Add in the distances and costs involved in simply getting to each event and the people involved are truly dedicated. There are a number of crews who are really switched on to the marketing and commercial side of things and UK drivers with an interest in that stuff should study what they are doing over in the USA.

Plus there is a real British interest with possibly the only professional rally driver from the UK, David Higgins, still making a living out of the sport over there. He's almost the Sebastien Loeb of the Rally America National Championship and if he wins it again in 2013 it will be his third title in a row.

I've no idea why more UK rally fans don't take an interest in the series.

Anyway, in an attempt to inspire UK rally fans I've put together an event preview of the Sno*Drift Rally with lots of pretty pictures and I've assembled a playlist on YouTube. I'll add a fresh news feed and YouTube playlist for each day of the event like I did for Monte Carlo. Links below for the previews and day one news.

Event Preview (http://storify.com/sidewaysmag/rally-america-sno-drift-rally-2013-day-1)

News Feed - Day One (http://storify.com/sidewaysmag/rally-america-sno-drift-rally-2013-day-1-2)

YouTube Videos Preview (http://youtube.com/user/sidewaysmag)

[James Graham]

I've just updated the Rally America Sno*Drift Rally news feed for day two of the rally.

News Feed - Day Two (http://storify.com/sidewaysmag/rally-america-sno-drift-rally-2013-day-2)

[Gregor-y]

Great event. Not as much snow as there could have been, but enough to make all the roads a lot of fun. More than the rally itself it's a great time to catch up with friends from other cities.

I was given a generic made-on the-spot name tag this year and rather than write down the usual boring identifier like 'stage captain' I decided to 'Finnish' my name instead.
http://imageshack.us/a/img208/741/tagkh.jpg

[Plan9]

In theory, would Prodrive be allowed to enter the MINI RRC?

[Gregor-y]

If Ken Block's Fiesta is legal I can't see why not.
One driver came in to the control at the end of stage 12 full of energy saying he had a video to put on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NYnsy9JEYE
Some of my crew caught a Focus that rolled just after the finish, but I don't know if they have uploaded it.

[mousti]

Ken Block's Fiesta is neither a WRC or RRC. Don't think that WRC are allowed there? And S2000 or RRC how that goes?

Verstuurd van mijn SK17i met Tapatalk

[BlueShift]

That hay bale video was funny :p :

[Grant_RSA]

Im curious to know why Rally America doesnt take to any of the international classes, like R2 and S2000 etc?

[mikkov]

Ken Block's Fiesta is neither a WRC or RRC. Don't think that WRC are allowed there? And S2000 or RRC how that goes?


Remember that Rally America top class is called "Open". Rules are really quite open and there shouldn't be anything forbidding current WRC or S2000 cars. EDIT: There's actually requirement that engine block must be derived from production engine, so some cars wouldn't be allowed according to that.


Im curious to know why Rally America doesnt take to any of the international classes, like R2 and S2000 etc?


Well you can drive R2 and I think some actually do. Rallying is really grassroots level in America so homogolated classes would be just increasing cost with no benefit.

[TyPat107]

Remember that Rally America top class is called "Open". Rules are really quite open and there shouldn't be anything forbidding current WRC or S2000 cars. EDIT: There's actually requirement that engine block must be derived from production engine, so some cars wouldn't be allowed according to that.



Well you can drive R2 and I think some actually do. Rallying is really grassroots level in America so homogolated classes would be just increasing cost with no benefit.

there are a few R2 cars running around. according to Mike Hurst the S2000 car is eligible for the open light class, but it wouldn't have any competition. What does an S2000car cost? €250,000 compared to the usual open light car which is about $10-15,000. Our first car was approx $10,000 when it was done. And I would say my new car will be at least double+ that.

There were a few rule changes when the new wrc rules came out and I believe RA was scared people were going to bring wrc cars here and slaughter us. I know the minimum weight for National open class is 2900lbs where the wrc cars is closer to 2600lb. Like you mentioned the engine block, however I believe Mini and Ford use factory blocks with custom heads where as the Citroen uses a specially built block.

And cost is the main reason for not doing international classes. It's already hard enough to people to build an old VW golf or impreza or Merkur on a budget then pay to tow 1000 miles a few times a year. We had group n rules in the early 2000's and it cost everyone way too much.

[TyPat107]

Ken Block's Fiesta is neither a WRC or RRC. Don't think that WRC are allowed there? And S2000 or RRC how that goes?

Verstuurd van mijn SK17i met Tapatalk
I believe kens ford is basically the fiesta wrc chassis with the focus wrc 2.0L engine but its modified so he can change things around for rallycross.

[Delta_HF]

Some nice pics here folks... ;)

[Gregor-y]

There is an influx of R2 cars because Ford got the five door Fiesta homologated (we don't get the three door) and offers all the parts to build a compliant car. That's really a first in the US, at least recently. Plus one of our rally schools ordered a few and I believe rents them out for events. There were about four at Sno*Drift along with a few less complaint Fiestas with even more power.

[Grant_RSA]

I understand the grassroots statements, just seems like there will only be a few cars who can contest a win in each class, ie those with the deepest pockets.

I speak from a South African point of view where our national series run only S2000 and R2 spec cars, were yet to confirm a number for 2013, but if history repeats we will have around 18 S2000's , obviously taking driver ability into consideration would allow anyone of 18 teams to have a fair shot at winning.

R2 is getting more competitive, with 2 Msport Fords, a few locally developed VW Polo's R2's and what looks to be 4 Toyota Etios R2's being built.

Were going through a tough time in Rallying in SA but still have an ultra competitive series. Sadly i am sitting out this season due to work commitments :-(

[Humber]

100 Acre Wood 2013.

2013 Rally America 100 Acre Wood Wednesday Testing - YouTube (http://youtu.be/URTo13Sn2gY)

[Humber]

Higgins led the way after Day 1.
2013 Rally in the 100 Acre Wood: Stage 2 - YouTube (http://youtu.be/6f7p9ECQOME)

2013 Rally in the 100 Acre Wood Day 1 Updates | Rally America (http://www.rally-america.com/news/entry/2013-rally-in-the-100-acre-wood-day-1-updates)

[Humber]

End of Day 2 - Higgins, Burke, O'Sullivan

[Gregor-y]

That doesn't do justice to the real hero of the rally:
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/3188/saabe.jpg

[Humber]

Block tests for Oregon Trail 2013. Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino test for the Oregon Trail Rally 2013: All-GoPro edit - YouTube (http://youtu.be/d6O2Bj-les0)

[Humber]

Higgins leads after day one. Oregon Trail Rally Day One Updates | Rally America (http://www.rally-america.com/news/entry/oregon-trail-rally-day-one-updates)

[Mirek]

Does anyone know if the Lancer WRC is repairable or written off after the crash of Antoine L'Estage. Anyway good that they are unhurt!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPhjpv93kes&feature=player_embedded

http://www.autoklub.pl/media/201305/61519-lestage.jpg

[Grant_RSA]

Ouch , wasnt that a "new" car before this event?

[Mirek]

No, this car is one of the two stationed in Czech Republic in last couple of years for Czech and Slovak MML customers.

See plate ;)

http://www.cametech.cz/obrazky/galerie/55/58378945.jpg

[Grant_RSA]

iv done the first time out, brand spanking new S2000 end over end 5 times in 5th gear on its first event, so know what its like .... Not cool!

[Kielder]

Does anyone know if the Lancer WRC is repairable or written off after the crash of Antoine L'Estage. Anyway good that they are unhurt!


Antoine answered me that it "might be the end for that chassis". It's really a pity, he recognised that the accident was his fault because he heard a pace note wrong. It seems we have to say goodbye to chassis #6. :(

[Mirek]

That's a pity, not many of these cars left :(

[vino_93]

...

[Kielder]

L'Estage and Richard ready to move forward (http://flatovercrest.com/2013/05/lestage-and-richard-ready-to-move-forward/)

[Craig111]

Well dude its a great news for every one especially European people So if any body wants to share any information about it then please share me dude????? :) :) :)

[dimviii]

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 9008_n.jpg (https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/q71/1392464_10151784473393952_1547319008_n.jpg)

Block

[focus206]

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/q71/1392464_10151784473393952_1547319008_n.jpg

Block
Block was fighting with David Higgins for the title in the last round, Lake Superior Rally I believe. He crashed out from 2nd position while chasing Higgins (who won and took the title), I didn't know the crash was so heavy...

[vino_93]

any news of Brendan Reeves ? I see his codriver will have a new driver ...