Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Friday March 29, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC General > NASIOC Official News, Articles and Polls

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-08-2010, 05:43 PM   #1
ricochet
Driving Sports TV Staff
 
Member#: 15542
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Kirkland, WA
Vehicle:
2004 WRX

Default Rally America Round 5: STPR

Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally
Rally America Round 5



Lagemann's Super Production STI carries the Subaru flag to class victory. Pastrana hands Championship to Mitsubishi by missing two rounds of the six event series. Block scores a DNF... again.

Video coverage from DSTV!

Transcript: (Aaron) This past weekend, the penultimate round of the 2010 Rally America series had teams duking it out in the Pennsylvania forest.

Noticeably absent at Round 5, was privateer Andrew Comrie-Picard, who was busy getting his Formula Drift on in nearby New Jersey. Not only that, the reigning champion was also a no-show. This is the second event in a row Travis Pastrana has missed due to "prior engagements" elsewhere on the planet, effectively eliminating any chance for retaining his championship crown.

Taking third place overall was Ramana Lagemann, who was driving a Super Production Subaru STI. This finish also secured his team a first place Super Production win.

Second place was Bill Bacon, who is continuing his ongoing streak of bridesmaids finishes in a Mitsubishi EVO.

Overall victory was the seemingly unstoppable Antoine L'Estage with co-driver Nathalie Richard in a Mitsubishi EVO X. The win was a decisive feat, finishing the final stage a full minute and a half faster than the Bacon Motorsports team.

After a flat tire shunted Chris Duplessis' GTI all the way back to 30th Place on day one, the O'Neil instructor pulled comeback worthy of Sebastian Loeb, clawing his way to first in 2wd class and 9th overall by the end of the rally.

Dave Mirra crashed his STI again and Ken Block's Ford Fiesta succumbed to technical issues for the second time, effectively eliminating either of their chances for podium finishes this year.

Pastrana MIA, Block not able to mount a competitive bid, what's going on?! For some perspective on this, we turn to our in-house rally expert Ryan Douthit.

(Ryan) First off, I can't overstate the amount of respect I have for Antoine L'Estage and Bill Bacon. Their performances this year have been truly inspiring.

But lets look at the big picture.

Subaru is going to loose it's Championship crown in the States, and, we're looking at the potential for an all-Mitsubishi sweep. We just need ACP to win the New England Forest Rally, Travis to Crash and Dave Mirra to be outside of the podium: an unlikely, but possible scenario.

In spite of Subaru's commitment to the series they're going to loose the trophy simply because their star driver, Pastrana, made a choice full knowing it would loose him any chance of retaining the Championship.

Then there's Ken Block. Ford has spent, what I expect is, a tremendous amount of money developing this new program. And, though it is a "building year" for the new team, I don't think one win, and four DNF's was exactly what they were hoping for.

When it comes down to it, neither Block nor Pastrana really offered any competition this year. Mirra simply doesn't have the necessary seat required to pose any real threat yet to a seasoned competitor like L'Estage.

In the end, Subaru and Ford are paying the bill for what is, this year, shaping up to be Mitsubishi's party. A party that Mitsubishi has had little, if any, involvement with.

It's too early to say yet, but if the upcoming Rally America European Rallycross series finds an audience and if Ford and Subaru factory teams take victories, the manufacturers could end up asking if the stage events are really worth it versus the packaged and predictable world of stadium racing.

Heck, even Rally America may ask if stage events are worth it once they start adding up stadium tickets sales and counting the additional advertising dollars.

Granted, that's a lot of speculation on my part. But the rally community has been through upheavals like this before. Promises of greater things ultimately leading back to obscurity.

###

Note: Driving Sports TV (and our complete 2010 Rally America video coverage) is available at drivingsports.com, iTunes, Apple App Store, DiVX TV, YouTube, Streetfire, Boxee, Roku, many Internet-connected television systems, FiOS on-demand (soon), blip.tv, Blinx and many other syndicated sources. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite system.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Last edited by ricochet; 06-22-2010 at 01:05 AM.
ricochet is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 06-09-2010, 02:20 AM   #2
canucks23
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 235456
Join Date: Jan 2010
Chapter/Region: VIC
Location: richmond
Vehicle:
2009 STi
White

Default

nice info, thanks for keeping us posted

Last edited by canucks23; 06-11-2010 at 11:42 AM.
canucks23 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2010, 08:14 AM   #3
BeatLA
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 182396
Join Date: Jun 2008
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Potholeachusetts
Vehicle:
2005 WRX Wagon
2004 FXT for Mrs. BeatLA

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ricochet View Post

It’s too early to say yet, but if the upcoming Rally America European Rallycross series finds an audience and if Ford and Subaru factory teams take victories, the manufacturers could end up asking if the stage events are really worth it versus the packaged and predictable world of stadium racing.

Heck, even Rally America may ask if stage events are worth it once they start adding up stadium tickets sales and counting the additional advertising dollars.
I see your point, and it makes sense, but I would be devastated if Rally America drops stage rally. The unfortunate thing is, with Pastrana skipping 2 events this year and effectively eliminating Subaru from the title, it almost seems like they are losing interest. Otherwise, why not field his car with a different driver to keep up promotional efforts? It almost seems to me that unless they get more crossover stars, once Pastrana and Mirra hang it up, so does Subaru.
BeatLA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2010, 10:39 AM   #4
DIRTWRX
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 186402
Join Date: Aug 2008
Chapter/Region: International
Location: italy
Vehicle:
2002 I eat gravel
for breakfast

Default

I'd be glad to drive pastrana's car, if not Mirra's. At least I wouldn't crash as much as Mirra.
DIRTWRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2010, 11:31 AM   #5
subyski
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 202642
Join Date: Nov 2007
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Centennial, Colorado
Vehicle:
08 Impreza,80Vette
68 Impala, 15 SantaFe

Default

I hope RA does not completely drop the staged rally too. The unfortunate part is the dollar talks and if the stadium events prove to be successful, this may be the path RA goes. RA sees the success the X Games Rally events. Plus it brings the sport to the masses since many staged rallies are in remote locations.

I think a combination of staged rally and stadium events would help boost the sport and keep things exciting.

I would like for RA to return to Colorado in the future. Staged or stadium.
subyski is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2010, 11:36 AM   #6
poserskaterboy
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 189351
Join Date: Sep 2008
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: jville, nc
Vehicle:
2004 WRX STi
Platinum Silver Metalic

Default

edit lol

Last edited by poserskaterboy; 06-09-2010 at 11:41 AM.
poserskaterboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2010, 02:02 PM   #7
obsnw
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 174739
Join Date: Mar 2008
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Damn Rascals, Dig It
Vehicle:
I drinka now...
I drinka juice

Default

I thought I would be the last to admit it, and I don't like it, but it seems that the recent popularity of rally in America was a full on bro fueled fad.
obsnw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2010, 05:00 PM   #8
wagonryan
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 163756
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Oregon
Vehicle:
1996 R/RA

Default

I wouldn't mind if rally in America stayed exactly where it is....except without celeb's crashing our cars for the hell of it.
wagonryan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2010, 07:49 AM   #9
BeatLA
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 182396
Join Date: Jun 2008
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Potholeachusetts
Vehicle:
2005 WRX Wagon
2004 FXT for Mrs. BeatLA

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by wagonryan View Post
I wouldn't mind if rally in America stayed exactly where it is....except without celeb's crashing our cars for the hell of it.
+ 1 million kajillion
BeatLA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2010, 02:37 PM   #10
Jspike
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 149575
Join Date: May 2007
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Keystone, CO
Vehicle:
94? GD

Default

I would have to say I think there will be a rise in stadium events due to the fact of earning potential. But it would be a huge shame if the staged events go by the way side because this is where rally started so if the forget about the roots it would be a sad day for the sport. I also would like to see more RA events in the us with a longer season. As far as Pastrana, Mirra, and Block they have done great things for the plublicity of rally in America but the Bro Bra band wagon can only go so far. Also are these stars really commited to the sport? I would have to say no from the preformance they have had and need to spend more time in the seats of their cars or else they will have to watch out for the enthusiest who dedicated them selves.
Jspike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2010, 11:58 PM   #11
Layvon
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 195711
Join Date: Nov 2008
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Lapeer MI
Vehicle:
PART OUT. PM ME
02-07 Goodies

Default

The one thing though about these "stars" is that they have all the access in the world to be however good they want to be. They have the capital to go to training, on a personal one to one basis. Watch film, practice with the real deal half million dollar car, something that maybe 100 out of the 200k members on NASIOC could do. Even if I were dedicated to the sport and tried my hardest to be the best rally driver I could, I would still only be making wages of an engineer. It's a tough pill to swallow, but it is cheaper to be dropped on nice wheels and look good than it is to practice your driving on a "closed course" where one false attempt at a swedish flick could send you into a bank of rocks or worse.

Having said that, if the brobandwagon leaves rally, I wouldn't be sad to see it go. I just hope that a few real enthusiasts emerge from it as I did, Started watching Rally in 07 just before it exploded... Don't like the competition in the UP of michigan to get a seat.

Long live rally.
Layvon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2010, 04:26 AM   #12
code_hat
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 90896
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Vehicle:
CO RallyX'er
circuitmotorsports.net

Default

At least Pastrana got a little dirt action this week at the Prelude to the Dream in Eldora.
code_hat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2010, 11:17 AM   #13
bp_968
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 186439
Join Date: Aug 2008
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: South Covington KY
Vehicle:
2003 WRB WRX Wagon
2008 Infiniti G35x

Default

I have to agree with Ryan. I've been worried about subaru pulling out of USA Rally for a while. I just don't think their heart is in it anymore. Just look at their flagship "rally" car now. Its lower, stiffer, and definitely more of a tarmac car then ever before. Every iteration goes further from the rally roots and harder to get it back there. This is a great thing if you never plan on taking your car off the pavement but it is a problem if your looking into stage.

Subaru vastly lowered the payouts for a win with anything older then the new body style 08 models. Yet most every Rally driver I've spoken with that drives a Subaru say's the 07- cars are just better setup for dirt/gravel/stage then the new cars (and the new cars cost much more to make competitive).

Idk. I hope Subaru doesn't drop it like they did WRC, though they are in IRC this year, just not much coverage of that sadly. And I'm not sure its an actual "factory" team like they ran in WRC.

I *really* hope RA doesn't further reduce the # of stage events. And if they do hopefully NASA or another governing body steps in and snaps up these great events. Stadium events might be money makers but they are not "Rally" like most of us see it and enjoy it.
bp_968 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2010, 03:06 PM   #14
mbs627
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 99794
Join Date: Nov 2005
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Lower Bux, PA
Vehicle:
2013 FR-S
Darky dark

Default

It shouldn't be called rally if it is in a stadium.
mbs627 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2010, 10:04 AM   #15
fragroute
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 177767
Join Date: Apr 2008
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: East Rutherford, NJ
Vehicle:
2008 WRX 5dr 5MT
Spark Silver Metallic

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Layvon View Post
The one thing though about these "stars" is that they have all the access in the world to be however good they want to be. They have the capital to go to training, on a personal one to one basis. Watch film, practice with the real deal half million dollar car, something that maybe 100 out of the 200k members on NASIOC could do. Even if I were dedicated to the sport and tried my hardest to be the best rally driver I could, I would still only be making wages of an engineer. It's a tough pill to swallow, but it is cheaper to be dropped on nice wheels and look good than it is to practice your driving on a "closed course" where one false attempt at a swedish flick could send you into a bank of rocks or worse.

Having said that, if the brobandwagon leaves rally, I wouldn't be sad to see it go. I just hope that a few real enthusiasts emerge from it as I did, Started watching Rally in 07 just before it exploded... Don't like the competition in the UP of michigan to get a seat.

Long live rally.
"brobandwagon"?
fragroute is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2010, 05:42 PM   #16
smokeynyc
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 235198
Join Date: Jan 2010
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Boston
Vehicle:
97 V7 207'd GC
04 JBP WRX

Default

Subaru's selling out. Its the new automotive thing to do. I blame honda, they were the first to sell out (canned F1, ended performance oriented cars), in order to build more fuel efficient camry-accord-hybrid soccer mom cars, as the performance oriented market is a sliver of what the family sedan market is. Now Subaru is following this trend (they even turned the FT-86 into a ****ing RWD solara...), and are moving away from their AWD offroad rally routes. As they move away from performance oriented demographic (rallying), they will care less about maintaining this image and sponsor less and less. It really sucks though, because subaru made their name through WRC and rally cars. I don't think the impreza would have had half the momentum it does now if it hadn't gained such a reputation through WRC. Look at the Volvo S60R, how many ppl drive those lol.
smokeynyc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2010, 01:10 PM   #17
ScoobNJ
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 248911
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Maplewood
Vehicle:
'04 WRX Waggie RIP
'06 OB 5MT

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mbs627 View Post
It shouldn't be called rally if it is in a stadium.
X2

If we can't root for the brobandwagon that is popular rally in America today at least we can vote for the small-town hero: Team O'Neil and Chris Duplessis! I can say that Team O'Neil has the true rally spirit in its blood: drive the car to it's limits. Chris took me on a 'full-attack' lap around their track in one of the Audi 1000's they have, that is something awesome to experience first-hand! I highly suggest a trip up to Dalton, NH to check it out if anybody's ever in the area.

Back to topic: I would enjoy watching a crossover, but I agree with everyone else here that rally's roots (and true appeal) are in staged events. Are you listening SOA? We want RALLY CARS!
ScoobNJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2010, 08:47 AM   #18
lovin' it
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 236710
Join Date: Jan 2010
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Baileyville, Maine
Vehicle:
2010 WRX Five Door
WRB!

Talking

Quote:
Originally Posted by DIRTWRX View Post
I'd be glad to drive pastrana's car, if not Mirra's. At least I wouldn't crash as much as Mirra.
lovin' it is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2010, 12:32 PM   #19
M4c0770
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 225851
Join Date: Oct 2009
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: FL, USA & San Juan, PR
Vehicle:
07 Spec Wannabe
Limited in San Remo Red

Default

Thanx for the info, Props.
M4c0770 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Need Rally America Information Booth Help at STPR Ananda Mid Atlantic Impreza Club -- MAIC 5 06-04-2009 08:49 PM
GT4 Time Attack 2008 Round 5: Sears Point (Infineon) TGrits10 Motorsports 47 05-11-2008 12:11 AM
Olympus Rally- Next round of the Rally America Championship EVT_Dan North West Impreza Club Forum -- NWIC 2 04-13-2008 07:35 PM
OT CD Swap Round 5: Reviews huckedup16 Off-Topic 167 03-03-2004 01:56 AM
USTCC Round 5: Las Vegas, Aug. 9-11 1.8L Motorsports 17 08-13-2002 01:40 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:30 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.