Rally America brings Colin McRea and a selection of US rally drivers to X-GAMES 12

August 2, 2006) - Subaru Rally Team USA drivers Travis Pastrana and Ken Block are ready to kick off the first ever X Games Rally, today Aug 2, 2006.

The X Games Rally is a standalone, invite only event within the 2006 Rally America National Championship, it marks the first time any form of car racing has been included in the hugely popular ESPN X Games.

Today the invited drivers will tackle eight gravel stages north of Los Angeles, then on Saturday August 5th the event will conclude with a special stage in and around the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, televised LIVE on ABC starting at 3pm EDT.

Joining Subaru Rally Team USA, all driving Vermont SportsCar prepared Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally cars, are former WRC Champion Colin McRae and 2005 Rally America PGT Class Champion Tanner Foust. McRae, one of the most successful World Rally Drivers in history as well as one of the most popular, is the clear favorite to take X Games Gold. McRae will be joined by his longtime co-driver Nicky Grist. Joining McRae will be 2005 Rally America PGT class Champion Tanner Foust and co-driver Scott Crouch.

In addition to Foust's rally career he also has found success as a Hollywood stunt driver and is a top drifter in the Formula D Series. The four drivers have completed two days of testing in their freshly built Open Class Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally cars.

These are new cars for the X Games, they are lighter and more powerful than the cars that Pastrana and Block have used thus far in the 2006 Rally America National Championship, where and his co-driver Christian Edstrom sit atop the overall standings after their recent 2nd Overall finish at the Maine Forest Rally.

All four cars will be shod with the latest BFGoodrich Tires. "We tested the cars for the first time on Monday and I instantly felt a very good difference, the cars are more nimble, more powerful," explained Pastrana. "I can't wait to showcase rallying at the X Games, its going to be amazing." "We are very focused, there are less total stage miles than a typical Rally America event, so everything counts so much, we really need to fast everywhere with no mistakes," said Ken Block's co-driver Ales Gelsomino.

The addition of rallying to the X Games will be a major boost for the growing sport in the USA. Hundreds of media from around the World are in Los Angeles covering the events and rallying will gain significant mainstream exposure. The Live coverage on a major network like ABC this Saturday afternoon will be a first for US rallying as well.

In addition to watching the rally stages on ABC this weekend, fans can keep up with the team and the event by visiting www.rally.subaru.com: for daily photo updates and news. Also, a daily blog at www.wrc.com: will follow Subaru Rally Team USA behind the scenes at the X Games while live updates and further event information can always be found at www.rally-america.com: . Subaru Rally Team USA is proudly supported by DC Shoes, BFGoodrich Tires, STI (Subaru Tecnica International), SPT (Subaru Performance Tuning), Alpinestars, Motul, PIAA, Recaro, Meguiars and Vermont SportsCar.

DUDDY WITHDRAWS FROM BOUT

Derry City’s John Duddy, an undefeated middleweight boxer, has withdrawn from an Aug. 10 bout in Las Vegas against Carlos Bojorquez because of heat prostration that Duddy sustained while training in New York. Duddy, 27, collapsed as he scaled the steps of his apartment building in Queens while clutching a heavy gym bag. He is 17-0 with 15 knockouts.
Eddie McLoughlin Duddy’s Manager and friend said, 'John just needs some rest as he had to see our sports doctor because he is suffering from heat exhaustion.
'However he will be back in full training in two weeks time. We are disappointed because we were all looking forward to the show in Las Vegas.
'But the important thing for us is that John is fully fit and well and at the moment he is not and the prudent thing to do was to withdraw him from the fight.'
Meanwhile Duddy's next fight could see him meet veteran Mexican Yori Boy Campas at Madison Square Garden on September 29.
McLoughin added: 'Campas is lined up for late September and that is a fight we all want to see

2006 Donegal International Rally Video

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Maine Forest Rally 2006

Newry Maine, Saturday July 22nd, Early results had awarded Italian driver Alfredo DeDominicis the overall win – and an X Games slot. But in an unusual turn of events, he was dropped out of first place in a series of post-rally protests. Race officials handed him a 24-second penalty for a rule infraction, costing him the win. Late Saturday, there was still a possibility of a final appeal that could return him to the top slot

Pictured Ramana Lagemann and co-driver after the last stage on Saturday

The overall victory was awarded to Ramana Lagemann and co-driver Michael Fennel who eked out a tight victory at the Maine Forest Rally which will also know qualify them for a starting position at the first-ever X Games Rally.“I can’t even put it into words,” said Lagemann, accepting hugs of congratulations from his beaming crew after pulling his Ford Escort Cosworth across the finish line. “It was meant to be.”

Team Subaru USA driver Travis Pastrana would take second overall pending the outcome of the appeal, while Matt Iorio would continue his run claiming the last spot on the podium with a fine third place finish. More to follow..