After a long break from the X Games, the Rally America series was back to tearing up the back roads of the US. This time we went to the northern extreme in Minnesota for the Oijbwe Forests Rally and there was a chance that the national champion would be crowned.
Heading into the weekends event Travis Pastrana had a very healthy lead in the championship. Ken Block would have to answer and answer big if he was to stay in contention. Pastrana had already won five events this season and took the fight to the field early. Travis would have a some what easier time as series drivers Tanner Foust and Andrew “ACP” Comrie-Picard were not in action. Travis was pushing hard with teammate Ken Block when Ken rolled his Subaru Impreza STI early. This accident would hand Pastrana a very easy victory and the 2009 Rally America National Championship. Block once again overly aggressive and payed a dear price for his errors.
Andi Macin would finish second overall and lost out to Pastrana by nearly 10 minutes. Mancin and his Mitsubishi would suffer mechanical trouble all day with the team thankful they were able to make it to the finish. Mancin was able to move into second position for the championship. Unfortunately the title is decided and that is the end of that.
Mancin will definitely be someone to watch during the 2010 season.