Subaru Rally Team USA



Hometown	Annapolis, Maryland
Day or night rallying	Day- "Night feels like a video game!"
Favorite surface	Air
Favorite food during a service break	"Anything and everything"
Car type	WRX STI
Car number	199
Longest distance traveled to run in a rally	6000 miles

Subaru Rally Team USA driver Travis Pastrana has dominated rallying in the USA since switching his focus away from Freestyle Motocross. He has been on the podium in 17 of his last 22 rallies, with 8 wins, including a Gold and a Bronze Medal at the last two X Games Rally events. Pastrana is the 2006 and 2007 Rally America National Champion. In 2006, at only 23 years-old, he became the youngest ever American Rally Champion, then defended his crown in 2007.

Pastrana has made the switch to rallying after becoming a legend on two wheels. He is Freestyle Motocross’ brightest star and is world famous for his death defying stunts on his motorcycle. He has won the gold in Freestyle MotoX a record six times at the X Games, and landed the first ever double backflip in competition.

Subaru Rally Team USA is also headed for the World Rally Championship with Pastrana. In 2007 Subaru Rally entered Pastrana in three rounds of the Production World Rally Championship (P-WRC at the wheel of a Group N Subaru Impreza WRX STI). Pastrana finished fifth in Mexico, 10th in Argentina and 11th at Wales Rally Great Britain. The program will continue in 2008 with three select P-WRC rounds.



Hometown	Catalunya, Spain
Day or night rallying	Day
Favorite surface	Gravel
Favorite food during a service break	I don't eat
Car type	WRX STI
Car number	199
Longest distance traveled to run in a rally	The whole world!

Ringer, a professional co-driver since 1988 is best known for his success co-driving for World Rally Championship (WRC) legend Colin McRrae in the early nineties. The duo won the 1995 World Rally Championship together with the Subaru World Rally Team. Ringer's other major successes include winning the 1993 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship and British Rally Championship in '91, '92 and '98. Ringer now resides with his wife and son in Catalunya, Spain, where he has been involved in organizing rallies.



Hometown	Encinitas, California
Day or night rallying	Day, for sure!
Favorite surface	Hard packed gravel
Favorite food during a service break	Chicken salad
Car type	WRX STI
Car number	43
Longest distance traveled to run in a rally	7000 miles

Ken Block has only been driving rally cars for a short amount of time, but his list of accomplishments read like that of a seasoned pro. A long-standing passion for rally driving first led Block to link up with Vermont SportsCar late in 2004 where he began an intensive rally training program that included multiple test and schooling sessions. In 2005, Block's first year of rallying, he was aptly named Rally America's Rookie of the Year. As his career continued, Block's speed and skill behind the wheel became apparent and he signed on with Subaru Rally Team USA in 2006. From there he went on to take Bronze at X Games 12 in Los Angeles, and 2nd overall in the Rally America National Championship in 2006. In 2007 he had another strong year, winning the Silver Medal at the X Games 13 Rally and finishing 3rd Overall in the Rally America National Championship.

Block has a long and reputable history in the world of extreme sports. 14 years ago in California he co-founded DC Shoes, the highly successful skateboard shoe and apparel company. He is also an accomplished skateboarder, snowboarder and motocross rider. For the 2008 rally season, Ken Block is teamed with veteran co-driver Alex Gelsomino.



Hometown	Los Angeles, California
Day or night rallying	Day
Favorite surface	Snow
Favorite food during a service break	Pasta and Monster Energy Drink
Car type	WRX STI
Car number	43
Longest distance traveled to run in a rally	10000 miles

Alex Gelsomino was born and raised in Italy, where he started competing in rallies at just 17 years-old. He actually applied for his Rally License the same day he obtained his driving permit! After moving to the USA in the mid-nineties Gelsomino has actively competed in North American rallies for several top drivers. He and Ken Block met early in Block’s career in 2005. In their maiden season together Gelsomino helped Block achieve "Rally America Rookie of the Year" honors.