Moto-cross and X-Games superstar, Travis Pastrana

is now set to debut Rallying in front of a whole new audience at the 2006 X-Games.

Initial driver selection for the 2006 X-GAMES rally has been made

May 17th 2006, Rally America announces the drivers that have been selected for the inaugural X Games rally this August in Los Angeles.
No great surprises in the selection, missing are some of the most consitant top finishers in USA rallying over the past few years. Also missing are the top compititors from the “other” US series NASA Rally.

There was never a question that Travis Pastrana would be a shoe in, after all Travis is most likely one of the reasons Rally was event considered for the Games. Colin McRae will be a massive attraction without question, no confirmation on what he will drive at this time, best the good money will be on seeing Colin behind the wheel of an Impreza, where he belongs!
Out of the action in 2006, Canidian Pat Richard, the man most belive should have been behind the wheel of any factory backed efford by Subaru in 06, I expect that he will surly collect some metal at the games.

Paul Choiniere who we expect to see at STPR and Maine will most likely pilot the Hyundai, possibly seeing some factory support dollars to boot. Privateer Matt Iorio, Ken Block of Subaru USA and Tanner Foust make up the balance of the initial selection.

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I expect to see, Seamus Burke, Andrew Pinker, Alfredo DeDominicis and the 2005 NASA Rally Champion Tom Lawless, all factor in deciding the final open spots for the X-Games. Maybe we will see Shane Mitchell in car #45 make a comeback for STPR and steal the show?
There are also some invitations that have not yet been confirmed to Rally America, the rumor mill is churning out the names of some WRC competitors along with a few big names in Nascar. It’s anybody guess at this point… When all is said and done,[and there will be a lot said!] this will surely give US Rally a much need shot of exposure

Before the games we have STPR and Maine to look forward to…looking at the entry list for STPR the deck is stacked for another great weekend in Wellsboro Pa.
By: Neil McDaid

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“The official word from Rally America”
A hotshot motocrosser, a World Rally champion and a multi-time U.S. champion are among the drivers who will battle it out for gold at the first-ever X Games Rally this August in Los Angeles.

WRC veteran Colin McRae, known to fans as one of the most successful rally drivers of all time and the man who lent his name to a wildly popular series of driving video games, will race against a raft of homegrown talent, including motocross superstar turned Subaru Rally

Team USA driver Travis Pastrana, eight-time U.S. champ Paul Choiniere and 2005 title holder, Pat Richard.Also selected to compete are: D.C. Shoes founder and Subaru Rally Team USA driver Ken Block, Production GT title contender and stunt driver Tanner Foust, and 2005 North American champion Matt Iorio.

“These competitors have a lot of talent and we’re really proud to have them representing rally at the X Games,” says Rally America spokesman J.B. Niday.

“We’re going to show America what some of the best driving in the world looks like.”This year’s X Games Rally will feature a dozen teams competing for a gold in Open class cars. Rally America is awaiting final confirmation from several more drivers who have been invited to compete, and the last two spots will go to the top finishers of the next two rounds of the championship – the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally in early June, and the Maine Forest Rally in July.“There are going to be a lot of people very eager to try for X Games Gold – especially with such a competitive field already named,” says Niday. “The Rally America series is always exciting, but the chance to qualify for the X Games will up everybody’s game for the next two rounds.”The X Games Rally will also feature a demonstration of two-wheel drive talent, although there is no word yet which Rally America competitors will be selected.The Rally America national championship is a challenging, all-season series comprised of nine events across the country, beginning with Sno*Drift in January and wrapping up 12 months later with the Reno Rally in Reno, Nevada.Speed factors and podium finishes in the 2005 and 2006 championship, and the likelihood that these teams willbe series regulars in the future, were among the key factors considered by the X Games Rally selection committee for the Open Class competitors.The annual X Games is the premier action sports event in the world, featuring athletes from across the globe competing for medals and prize money in sports including BMX Freestyle, Moto X, Skateboard, Surfing and Rally. X Games 12 will be telecast live on ESPN and ABC.Rally America, a Minneapolis, MN, based corporation, holds the sanctioning and marketing rights to the Rally America Championship. The company was founded in 2002 by rally driver and CPD Rally Team owner Doug Havir.

Source: www.rally-america.com