A salute to his service crew from Andrew Pinker after winning the 2007 Oregon Trail Rally.
Photo/Neil McDaid
Conquering the Northwest Passage
By Neil McDaid
Hillsboro, Oregon, April 20, 2007. Round three of the Rally America Championship would head to the great northwest, where crews would tackle the challenging technical stages of the 2007 Oregon Trail Rally.
Trouble, for some, would set in early. Championship contender Andrew Comrie-Picard, who had been sitting fifth in the points standing heading into Oregon, would suffer engine failure on the shake down stage. Despite a great effort by his crew, the car would not officially start under its own power. Andrew and co-driver Marc Goldfarb would push the car through the start line to at least grab a starting point.
The first six stages on Day One were all run around Portland International Raceway (PIR), utilizing the asphalt race track and a few sections of gravel.
For a change, the slower cars would start first on day one. Cars were started on the front straight, where most would get to the limiter in top gear. Problem was that, for some, stopping in enough time to take the chicane on gravel tires or used tarmac tires made for some interesting moments. The fastest time on SS1, “Armco Trail“, was set by Travis Pastrana, with Tanner Foust in second a mere half a second behind. A quick change of rubber and it was on to the first gravel test - well, mostly gravel.
Conquering the Northwest Passage
By Neil McDaid
Hillsboro, Oregon, April 20, 2007. Round three of the Rally America Championship would head to the great northwest, where crews would tackle the challenging technical stages of the 2007 Oregon Trail Rally.
Trouble, for some, would set in early. Championship contender Andrew Comrie-Picard, who had been sitting fifth in the points standing heading into Oregon, would suffer engine failure on the shake down stage. Despite a great effort by his crew, the car would not officially start under its own power. Andrew and co-driver Marc Goldfarb would push the car through the start line to at least grab a starting point.
The first six stages on Day One were all run around Portland International Raceway (PIR), utilizing the asphalt race track and a few sections of gravel.
For a change, the slower cars would start first on day one. Cars were started on the front straight, where most would get to the limiter in top gear. Problem was that, for some, stopping in enough time to take the chicane on gravel tires or used tarmac tires made for some interesting moments. The fastest time on SS1, “Armco Trail“, was set by Travis Pastrana, with Tanner Foust in second a mere half a second behind. A quick change of rubber and it was on to the first gravel test - well, mostly gravel.
John Sundelin finds himself in the fence on SS2
Photo/ Neil McDaid
It wasn’t a great start for the G2 Ford Focus of John Sundelin. John would spin out on the second turn on SS1, then go through the fence on SS2, stranding the car on a fence post. He got a tug from the sweep and got moving again. Unfortunately, John would roll the car on the last of the Sunday stages, just a few miles from the finish. Reports are that John and co-driver Kathryn Hansen are “OK“.
SS2 was the beginning of the end for Laughlin O Sullivan in the K&N sponsored Mitsubishi Evo [car#90]. Engine smoke would lead to his early retirement after only two stages.
SS2 was the beginning of the end for Laughlin O Sullivan in the K&N sponsored Mitsubishi Evo [car#90]. Engine smoke would lead to his early retirement after only two stages. Travis Pastrana would complete only one stage in the Oregon Trail Rally
Photo/Neil McDaid
The biggest shock to all, on SS2, was when car #199 did not show. Travis Pastrana had retired after only one stage. Developing engine problems forced the Subaru Rally Team driver to retire from the event. Speaking with Bjorn Edstrom afterwards he told me that the car did not die completely and might have gone another stage if they had pushed it.
I was somewhat surprised that Travis and Team Subaru, did not show the “never give up” spirit that Ken Block showed in Maine last year, and continue to transit through the remaining stages on day one. With the option to swap the motor that night, I expect that Travis could have easily worked his way back to the top seven or higher.
Also forced to retire after only one stage was a very disappointed George Plsek with Jeff Burmister in their Mitsubishi.
The last few stages on Day One were run under the lights of PIR. There seemed to be some confusing on SS6 “PIR Land Rush” with several crews getting turned around and heading back the stage for a short distance. The stage was under a mile so no two cars were on the stage at the same time; just as well!
Also forced to retire after only one stage was a very disappointed George Plsek with Jeff Burmister in their Mitsubishi.
The last few stages on Day One were run under the lights of PIR. There seemed to be some confusing on SS6 “PIR Land Rush” with several crews getting turned around and heading back the stage for a short distance. The stage was under a mile so no two cars were on the stage at the same time; just as well!
Day 2
DayTwo would take us some 30 miles northwest of Hillsboro to SS7 Ho Dow-wn. This was the first true test of the 2007 rally. The stage would climb the wooded hillside with numerous cautions along the way. The surface constantly changed from loose stone to hard pack. The roads are clay-based with a well defined crown that one needs to be on the correct side of at all 
times.
times.Pat Richard the 2005 Rally America National Champion took on the daunting task of running first on the road. Despite having no line to follow, Richard attacked the stage fully committed to the notes, cutting the corners deep where possible.
There are few that would question the driving ability of the hard charging Canadian. His ability is only stifled by the lack of a solid budget. Keeping up the pace with both the Subaru and the Syms Rally teams is quickly proving to be a massive challenge for many.
As Richard approached our location, about three miles from the end of SS7, his brakes were glowing hot. Pat would continue to SS9 where the brakes finally gave to the heat, retiring him from the event.
There are few that would question the driving ability of the hard charging Canadian. His ability is only stifled by the lack of a solid budget. Keeping up the pace with both the Subaru and the Syms Rally teams is quickly proving to be a massive challenge for many.
As Richard approached our location, about three miles from the end of SS7, his brakes were glowing hot. Pat would continue to SS9 where the brakes finally gave to the heat, retiring him from the event.
Cowboy Kenny's service crew makes some repairs to the car so it could be pulled up on to the road again. Photo/Neil McDaid
Before the first stage was through on Saturday morning it would also claim car #91, Jonathan Bottoms and Carolyn Bosley. Their car would overheat due to a slight off.
“Cowboy” Kenny Bartram would overshoot and plunge deep into the woods, eventually bringing his PGT Subaru to rest on its roof between a few big trees.
Andrew cuts the perfect line to take the fastest time on ss7
Before the first stage was through on Saturday morning it would also claim car #91, Jonathan Bottoms and Carolyn Bosley. Their car would overheat due to a slight off.
“Cowboy” Kenny Bartram would overshoot and plunge deep into the woods, eventually bringing his PGT Subaru to rest on its roof between a few big trees.
Andrew cuts the perfect line to take the fastest time on ss7Photo/NeilMcDaid
Running fourth on the road, Andrew Pinker, the winner of this event in 2006, would take full advantage of the line left by those who proceeded him. Pinker’s line through the stage would reward him the fastest time. Ken Block would keep Andrew in check, just four second off the pace, which was also enough to take the overall lead. Paul Choiniere would squeeze third out of the now dated Hyundai.
David Anton and Dominik Jozwiak would have a close call when they left the road and ended up perched perilously against some trees, saving them from further disaster. Both driver and co-driver walked away from their big off.
David Anton and Dominik Jozwiak would have a close call when they left the road and ended up perched perilously against some trees, saving them from further disaster. Both driver and co-driver walked away from their big off.
Tanner Foust and Chrissy Beavis, who had come out of day one with a narrow overall lead, were finding the going difficult on the high crowned forest stages. Nonetheless, Tanner would manage to set fastest time on SS8.
Stage conditions would deteriorate some as the day progressed. A constant rain fell with a bit of snow/ sleet thrown in for good measure at the higher elevations.
By mid afternoon, Andrew Pinker, in his jet black open class Subaru STI, who was also debuting his new sponsor Jack Daniels, had taken a commanding grip on the rally. Andrew was without his regular co-driver, replaced for this event with the very experience navigator Patrick Walsh.
Stage conditions would deteriorate some as the day progressed. A constant rain fell with a bit of snow/ sleet thrown in for good measure at the higher elevations.
By mid afternoon, Andrew Pinker, in his jet black open class Subaru STI, who was also debuting his new sponsor Jack Daniels, had taken a commanding grip on the rally. Andrew was without his regular co-driver, replaced for this event with the very experience navigator Patrick Walsh.
SS10 the second run over “Ho Dow-wn“, would see the departure of Ramana Lagemann and Mark Williams in their Mitsubishi. The car had stopped on the stage due to lack of fuel. Ramama’s return to rallying is proving difficult. This is only his second rally in ‘07, with a DNF in both due to equipment failure. Ramana had been running comfortably in the top five before his departure.
At the end of day two it was all Pinker; the Oregon stages were very well suited to the driving style of the Australian. Ken Block, who had held the overall lead early in the day, had fallen some 30+ seconds off the pace to second. Tanner Foust was finding his form and was holding down third.
Day 3
Oregon Trail is run over three days. Sunday, the final day, would utilize two stages run twice. With the lead he had built on day two it was going to be hard for Block to make a dent in Pinker’s lead. Nonetheless, The Team Subaru driver would set the fast time on SS13, the first run on “Sterling Loop” with Pinker just 2 seconds off his pace.
Paul Choiniere may have pushed the Hyundai a little to hard on the first two days. He was caught and passed three miles into SS14 by Matt Iorio. We would learn later that Paul had encountered gearbox problems on the first stage on Sunday and was nursing the car back to service.
Paul Choiniere may have pushed the Hyundai a little to hard on the first two days. He was caught and passed three miles into SS14 by Matt Iorio. We would learn later that Paul had encountered gearbox problems on the first stage on Sunday and was nursing the car back to service.
Tanner finds his mark on Sunday setting fastest times on 3 of the 4 stages
Photo/Neil McDaid
Tanner Foust would set fastest times on SS14,15,16.
In the end, it was an elated Andrew Pinker who claimed his second victory in the Oregon Trail Rally. Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino would take second overall for team Subaru USA, with Pinker’s team mate Tanner Foust rounding out the top three. Despite a gearbox rattle from hell, Paul Choiniere somehow managed fourth ahead of Matt Iorio.
In the end, it was an elated Andrew Pinker who claimed his second victory in the Oregon Trail Rally. Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino would take second overall for team Subaru USA, with Pinker’s team mate Tanner Foust rounding out the top three. Despite a gearbox rattle from hell, Paul Choiniere somehow managed fourth ahead of Matt Iorio.
The current Rally America points leader, Ken Block, with his daughter Lia
Photo/Neil McDaid
With the departure of Travis Pastrana from this event (he would only earn one point) Ken Block now moves to the top of the points standings. Tanner moves into second and Travis is pushed back to third. The series will now move to Olympus, Washington for round four. Questions are: can Andrew Pinker continue the blistering pace he showed on this weekend; will the rougher surface in Washington slow his pace; will Pastrana make a blistering comeback? Better still, will it be someone else’s time to shine in May?!
http://www.olympusrally.com/
http://www.olympusrally.com/
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