Saturday: Race Day Two
Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 70s
Road Surface: Gravel



Saturday evening marked the culmination of the 2008 New England Forest Rally, with a champagne ceremony at the Sunday River resort in Newry, Maine. In third place on the podium was Subaru Rally Team USA's car #199, piloted by Travis Pastrana and Derek Ringer. With the Rally America championship title in mind, the team chose to take a cautious approach to the rally, focusing on a strong finish. Their perseverance was rewarded, as Pastrana and Ringer won stage eight and held their ground in the rest of the stages. The championship points earned with this finish put the team in first place in the 2008 Rally America National Championship. As the reigning Rally America champ, Pastrana is aiming to add a third consecutive championship win to his impressive motorsports history.

Subaru Rally Team USA teammates Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino also chose to take a conservative attack on the event. They performed excellently on the first day of racing and started Saturday in second place. After placing well on the first two stages of the day, they didn't fare as well on the third. An unforeseeable collision with a rock damaged their vehicle and they were forced to retire. Fortunately, several well-run rallies have earned them a strong points advantage in the Rally America National Championship standings and they remain in the running for the championship title.

In the Production GT class, Amy BeberVanzo and Ole Holter took the win in their 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX. This victory is their first win of the season and evidence of marked improvement by BeberVanzo. PGT second place went to Patrick Moro and Mike Rossey, who currently hold a gigantic points lead in the class, as they have won three of the five previous events.

Subaru Rally Team USA is learning fast with their new 2008 Subaru WRX STI rally platform and is extremely pleased to have gained the lead in the 2008 Rally America National Championship. With only three points events remaining, the team is well positioned for yet another championship victory.

Later this month, SRT USA heads to Los Angeles for the 2008 ESPN X Games 14 where there will be plenty of excitement. Stay tuned to subaru.com/rally as the X Games unfold!

Friday: Race Day One
Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 70s
Road Surface: Gravel



Day one of the 2008 New England Forest Rally has drawn to a close. The day began with a Parc Exposé and Stage 1 at the Sunday River resort in Newry, Maine. Next, the cars headed to the Mexico Rec Park for a half-mile stage featuring a jump directly in front of the fan bleachers. The following three stages were full-on rally stages, each between five and ten miles long.

The final stage of the day was the infamous Concord Pond stage, which features a particularly large jump. On this stage, Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino got massive air and landed their 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI hard on its nose. This damaged the #43 car's radiator and they decided to be towed to the following service stop by teammate Travis Pastrana, as a precautionary measure. Once checked in service it was discovered that no major overheating damage had been sustained and the SRT USA techs quickly replaced the radiator. Despite the hard landing, Block and Gelsomino still fared quite well. Ken and Alex won the stage, tying their record time from last year, ending today in second place, and answering the question on everyone's mind: yes, the new car can live up to the reputation set by the awesomely capable previous generation Subaru Impreza WRX STI.

Excited to be back in their brand new cars, Subaru Rally Team USA took an overall cautious approach today. Travis Pastrana and Derek Ringer were second on the road and felt that they were still sweeping loose gravel off the road. With very little seat time in the new car--after having DNF'd early at the previous rally--Pastrana's careful approach is a wise decision. Currently in fifth place, Pastrana and Ringer will be tackling well-swept gravel tomorrow as they hunt for the win.

Also excited to be in a new car is BMX superstar turned rally racer Dave Mirra. When Ken Block got his new ride, Dave was handed the previous generation Subaru Impreza WRX STI. With each event, Mirra's times are improving and his technique is becoming refined as he grows used to the legendary rally car he is piloting.

The rally continues tomorrow to a forecast of temperatures in the seventies and rain predicted in the afternoon. With 76.8 miles stages remaining, the majority of the event's racing occurs tomorrow. Throw in the possibility of muddy roads, and the outcome of this race is anyone's guess.

Thursday: Recce
Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 70s
Road Surface: Gravel



Subaru Rally Team USA is in northern New England for the 2008 New England Forest Rally. This race is home to some of the roughest roads and biggest jumps in the Rally America series. Although the road conditions will be a considerable test for the entering rally teams, SRT USA is up to the challenge. Last year at this event, Travis Pastrana took first place with Ken Block joining him on the podium in third. The team looks forward to chasing the podium again, this time in the new 2008 Subaru WRX STI.

The race starts tomorrow at Sunday River and includes a spectator stage at the Mexico Rec Park. Five stages will be run tomorrow, culminating at the infamous Concord Pond stage: a spectator favorite which is known for its massive jumps. Stay tuned for photos and a recap of the excellent action at this year's New England Forest Rally.