Oregon Trail Rally is kicking off today for an action-packed three days of competition. The fun starts off today with a Parc Exposé in downtown Portland, followed by the start, tomorrow at Portland International Raceway. Competition runs through the weekend out of the Hillsboro Fairgrounds and the town of Vernonia.

I always think it's more enjoyable to watch (or follow online (http://www.rally-america.com/event.Oregon.2008.php?section=live_updates)) an event when there's some perspective to go along with it. So, for the first time ever, we're making our coverage of the 2007 Oregon Trail Rally available to watch online for free (http://www.drivingsports.com/blog/player.html?bcpid=626918930&bclid=626936432) (this is the same feature that ran on Portland television last year.)

For 2008 can Ken Block of the Subaru Rally Team USA perform a three-peat in the Rally America series? Will Australian Andrew Pinker win Oregon Trail for the second year in a row? How about Travis Pastrana and Tanner Foust? Pastrana's motor blew last year, taking him out of contention for the event. Foust made podium, but wanted to win it outright. Should be some fantastic competition.

http://subieclub.com/uploads/1207095601/gallery_2_2_33628.jpg (http://www.drivingsports.com/blog/rallysport.html)

Click over to the Driving Sports TV Rallysport Channel (http://www.drivingsports.com/blog/player.html?bcpid=626918930&bclid=626936432) and select which segments you want to watch. The full meal deal on the 2007 event is just under 30-minutes long.

Didn't get the last episode encoded in time... it will be up by Friday AM.

Don't miss our updates during the 2008 event. We'll be posting video clips throughout the weekend to the Rallysport Channel (http://www.drivingsports.com/blog/rallysport.html) at DrivingSports.com

Is Patr racing this year? He looks pretty bent in that picture.

Is Patr racing this year? He looks pretty bent in that picture.

That is a screenshot from last year's event. He had just completed a very hard stage (brake failure). You can see more on that in the video. Pat isn't on the entry list for the 2008 event:
http://www.rally-america.com/event.Oregon.2008.php?section=entry_list

I am Marshelling on Sunday. Very excited. I will try to get some pics up.

i think this is the first time ive been like "ew wtf" to the main picture on NASIOCs home page. no disrespect to the legend, but that picture sucks.I'd even take an 08 WRX Sedan over that picture. (Please don't though, it makes me cry)

i think this is the first time ive been like "ew wtf" to the main picture on NASIOCs home page. no disrespect to the legend, but that picture sucks.I'd even take an 08 WRX Sedan over that picture. (Please don't though, it makes me cry)

I agree, it wasn't the best choice of shot. It's been upgraded.

I still find it hilarious that Travis Pastrana races now (I know it's been a while) but it's still funny that he dominates in this too.

I agree, it wasn't the best choice of shot. It's been upgraded.

I'm very impressed at the value you place on members input. I hope I didn't come off mean when I expressed my distaste for the original picture, but cool...the new one is muuuuch better lol.

The vids are great, except my pc (quite capable) is the hottest temperature at that site than all my web travels...:rolleyes:

The vids are great, except my pc (quite capable) is the hottest temperature at that site than all my web travels...:rolleyes:

For a more intense CPU workout, hit the little expandy box at the bottom of the player... the vids will expand to 900px wide :) (Native, they're 640 x 360 btw)

Heres a quick video I got of Ken Block crashing tonight.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El9_NOkGfzo

Thus far we have the following videos uploaded: Rockstar Rally Car Prep, Interviews from Friday (hopes high) and Saturday (many hopes dashed.) More to come tonight and in the days ahead as we sort through all the footage...

This is our first attempt at a "kinda live" sort of coverage. We're looking at doing more in the future, but need to change some of the site elements and improve our field equipment a bit. You can get a preview of our new format, already in the works, here:

http://www.drivingsports.com/blog/rallysport.html

(no Texas ads!)

R