Former Subaru Rally Team USA Driver Dave Mirra Dies at 41

We are sorry to report that multiple X-Games gold medalist and frankly BMX God, Dave Mirra has passed away due to an apparent suicide in Greenville, North Carolina.  Dave made the transition from pedal power to Subaru Rally Team USA and competed in both Rally America and the earlier years of Red Bull Global Rallycross.  Mirra was known as one of the most approachable guys in professional motorsports.  As many have probably already said, he seemed like “your average Joe” and was very easy to talk to.  I remember spectating at Oregon…

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Six Tenths. Six Tenths Gave Them The Story of a Lifetime

This Year’s Sno*Drift Rally had the closest finish that you’ll unfortunately never see.  This is where my bitterness in the lack of media from Rally America hits a boiling point.  Beyond the interviews on Rally America Radio, there has been little to no effort in detailing what happened out on the stages.  It sadly feels like the organization just doesn’t really care anymore.  Even their social media was lacking this weekend with a handful of tweets, and some pictures here and there on Facebook and absolutely nothing on their web…

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Sno*Drift 2016 Day 1 Complete, on to Day 2

  Results from Day 1 of Sno*Drift National Rally show what we all typically expect from the slippery snowy event. Staying on the road and out of the snowbanks is key, as is using the right tire, especially since studs are not allowed. Top seed SP driver Lauchlin O’Sullivan and co-driver Scott Putnam used their advantageous first on road position to good use and lead the overall standings by almost 3 minutes.  Last year’s 2WD champion Troy Miller has moved to SP class and has a new co-driver in Steven…

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PR – Travis Nease and Krista Skucas at Portland International Auto Show

Portland, OR (25 January, 2016) – The #81 Open Class Stage Rally car of Travis Nease and Krista Skucas will be joining the Oregon Rally Group/Subaru booth at the Portland International Auto Show this weekend, January 28-31st with driver and co-driver in attendance.   Travis Nease and Krista Skucas will be contending all eight rounds of the 2016 Cascadia International Rally Championship in their 2004 Open Class Subaru WRX STi.   Krista brought her five years of co-driving experience when she joined the team on Travis’ sixth event of his…

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OREGON TRAIL RALLY PARTICIPATES IN PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

@   PORTLAND, OREGON (January 26, 2016) – Billed as the premier Auto Show of the Pacific Northwest, the Portland International Auto Show will again this year include a display from the Oregon Trail Rally.   The Oregon Trail Rally, round 3 of the 2016 Rally America National Championship calendar, will present an Open Class Subaru WRX competition vehicle as part of the Subaru display at the Auto Show. On the main floor of the Oregon Convention Center, fans will have the opportunity to view the finely prepared competition Subaru…

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Higgins and Drew Move Up As Wales Rally GB Heads Into Darkness

7 times USA Rally Champion David Higgins and co-driver Craig Drew gained positions as those in front suffered in the stormy conditions during the day Saturday.  Massive amounts of rain, low hanging clouds, slippery mud, and standing water were the order of the day as remnants of hurricane Kate battered the Welsh countryside. Wales is used to heavy rain, however in this case they issued flood warnings and many outdoor events including a beloved rugby match were cancelled.  Not Wales Rally GB though.  The gravel roads in these Welsh forests are quite honestly…

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Higgins and Drew Storm Through Day 1 of Wales Rally GB

Day 1 of the final round of the World Rally Championship is coming to a close and we have of course been following the progress of Rally America multi-Champions David Higgins and Craig Drew.  Competing in a McRae liveried JRM built 2015 Subaru WRS STI Group N R4, the two have stunned many on the rain soaked and slippery Welsh stages with their pace.  Higgins told WRC Live Radio  that other than a little issue with the brakes after service the car has been great and he’s enjoyed moving up the field.…

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Rally, Rally, Everywhere a Rally

Are you bored with the long IndyCar off season already?  Or tired of the lame NASCAR chase which has turned into a demolition derby with cars used as weapons?  Or are you just holding your breath waiting for next week’s WRC finale at Wales Rally GB?  Don’t fret, there is still plenty of racing going on, especially in rally.  Today alone there are not one, not two, but three different rally events taking place here in the USA. Here in the Pacific Northwest the revival of the Wild West Rally…

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2015 Lake Superior Performance Rally – Driver Previews Open

Welcome to the final installment of Open Paddock’s Lake Superior Performance Rally Driver Previews. Today we are talking about the top tomatos – Open Class. In case you missed our 2WD class preview click here, or if you missed the Super Production preview click here. You need to ask yourself one question before you start to actively follow LSPR today. Do you know who the guys in those pretty painted cars are? If you answered no to that question please keep reading. If you answered yes keep reading anyway, hubris…

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2015 Lake Superior Performance Rally – Driver Previews Super Production

Welcome back to Open Paddock’s Lake Superior Performance Rally Driver Previews. We’re making sure that your knowledge of Rally America teams is up to date in this three part series, so if you’re new to rally or just want to get caught up before LSPR kicks off we’ve got you covered. In case you missed our previous 2WD class preview click here, and be sure to check in tomorrow morning when we’ll be talking about the big guns of Open class. Tonight we will be talking about the drivers and…

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