NSMotorsports heads west for round #3
Friday April 21, 2006 Hillsboro, Oregon, Round three of Rally America’s 2006 Championship will be contested at the Oregon Trail Rally. Mark McElduff of NSMOTORSPORTS is set not only to take on the competition, but also the challenging terrain of the great Northwest.
Round #1 Mark’s first outing in 2006 at Snow Drift was cut short due to technical problems with the new Car
Round #2 100 Acre woods would see McElduff find his pace, with fellow Irishman Eddie Fries calling the notes, the duo were setting blistering stage times holding third overall until Turbo gremlins reared their ugly heads, forcing McElduff into retirement after 11 stages.
For Oregon Mark has enlisted the services of veteran co-driver, Patrick Walsh who has made the journey over from Wales. With additional technician support coming from Pro-Drive set-up changes have been made to the Open class Subaru Impreza, Mark and the NSMOTORSPORTS team are looking forward to a trouble free run and a top 10 finish.
The area’s undulating countryside offers spectacular views for spectators and tough challenges for drivers and co-drivers. Moss-draped Douglas Fir trees huddle steps from the roadside and drivers face steep rock faces and endless drop-offs at virtually every turn. Weather is typically a factor at this event, making for unpredictable road conditions. With the race start just days away, there is still snow on some of the mountain passes.Round #1 Mark’s first outing in 2006 at Snow Drift was cut short due to technical problems with the new Car
Round #2 100 Acre woods would see McElduff find his pace, with fellow Irishman Eddie Fries calling the notes, the duo were setting blistering stage times holding third overall until Turbo gremlins reared their ugly heads, forcing McElduff into retirement after 11 stages.
For Oregon Mark has enlisted the services of veteran co-driver, Patrick Walsh who has made the journey over from Wales. With additional technician support coming from Pro-Drive set-up changes have been made to the Open class Subaru Impreza, Mark and the NSMOTORSPORTS team are looking forward to a trouble free run and a top 10 finish.
Mark is expected to be on the pace early for the overall lead, chasing down the two Subaru Team USA entries drivers by Travis Pastrana and Ken Block. Pastrana scored his first-ever rally podium result at this event last season, finishing in second place after three days of fierce competition.Also among the podium contenders are defending North American champion Matthew Iorio, who finished fourth in Oregon last year, and a pair of series newcomers who have shown promise so far this year: Italian Alfredo DeDominicis, and Australian Andrew Pinker, both in Subaru’s. Local favorite Paul Eklund knows the roads well and is also expected to challenge for a top finish in his Open class Subaru.
The opening stages of the 125-mile course take place Friday at the Portland International Raceway, with competitors taking short laps around a mixed tarmac and gravel course past cheering spectators in the grandstands. The contest moves to the woods on Saturday and Sunday for a more traditional rally competition through the area’s winding mountain roads.The Oregon Trail Rally is organized by Oregon Rally Group of Tigard, Oregon. Rally America, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, holds the sanctioning and marketing right to the Rally America Championship.
Weekend updates will be made available as they come in.
www.NSMOTORSPORTS.us :
Picture courtesy: http://www.artpartphoto.com/
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