Portland,
Oregon. With only six rallies making up the 2012 Rally America Championship,
it’s already crunch time for Rockstar Energy’s Antoine L’Estage to make his
move toward another championship title. An
Oregon Trail Rally victory has been elusive for L’Estage; it’sthe only rally
in the current series that the
multi-time
Canadian Champion has yet to claim victory on.
In SP,
Laughlin O’Sullivan seems to be running much better in 2012. The X-Factory backed driver is back behind the
wheel of a Mitsubishi in 2o12 after contesting 2011 in a Subaru. Laughlin is current locked in a points battle with
defending SP champion Travis Hanson. We expect no love to be lost between these
two as they tackle the first of two events to be held in the Great Northwest.
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| In addition to some epic stages, crews and fans alike are treated to the vast beauity of the Great NorthWest. Photo: Neil McDaid |
In 2WD, Chris Duplessis is off to yet another commanding lead in the 2011 R2 Ford Fiesta. Nonetheless with only a mere 10 point advantage, Chris and his Irish co-driver Karl Atkinson are definitely finding some pressure from Andrew Comrie Picard [ACP].
Picard,
who had long contested in an open class Mitsubishi, has been steadily gaining
ground in his 2011 Scion XD. Ford Racing’s
Dillon Van Way, in a G5 2011 Fiesta, really needs to get with the program for
the Oregon Train Rally. Dillon has struggled to match the pace of Duplessis who
is in the lesser powered R2 Fiesta. Just released onto the national series in
2012, Team O’Neill instructor “Fast Eddie” McNelly already has his sights
clearly locked on the podium.
I may
have to go out on a limb and say that the boys in the 2WD class could be in for a rude
awakening this weekend, coming in the form of a few blokes from
down under. The challenge will come in true Hoonigan style from two Australian
drivers from Summit Rally Team.
Will Powers and Ross Allan have just landed with a pair of insane RWD Nissan Silvias. Assuming they can keep these monsters-of-drift on the stage, these cars should be capable of better top speeds on the fast flowing roads that are typical of this event. Of course they will be at a big disadvantage having never raced these stages before, but I will still go with an upset. The battle in 2WD could very well steal the show.
Will Powers and Ross Allan have just landed with a pair of insane RWD Nissan Silvias. Assuming they can keep these monsters-of-drift on the stage, these cars should be capable of better top speeds on the fast flowing roads that are typical of this event. Of course they will be at a big disadvantage having never raced these stages before, but I will still go with an upset. The battle in 2WD could very well steal the show.
With a whopping 63 cars hoping to start the 2012 running of Oregon Trail Rally it’s the second largest entry in the event’s history matching the 63 entries set in 2010. Oregon Trail's largest field was 76 teams in 2007.
There
will be plenty of action and competition right from start on the fast,
gravel-pitted roads of the Oregon Trail Rally. You can see the action begin at Portland
International Raceway on May 4th for $10 per person, $5 for children ages 6-12,
and children under 6 are free. The event moves to The Dalles and Dufur on May
5-6 for more amazing free spectator viewing areas.
Official Oregon Trail spectator guides are available for download or free at the event's Parcs Expose: Download Link for Oregon Trail Rally Spectator Guide
Live
online video streaming coverage of rally action and exclusive driver interviews
will be available at www.rally-america.com. Online coverage is scheduled to begin Friday at 6:00pm
PDT.
Report and Photos: Neil McDaid
Sources: www.rally-america.com
