This weekend marks the first event of the 2014 Rally America Championship and it's a cold start as usual. The event, Sno Drift, is held in upstate Michigan on roads covered on snow and ice. Drivers must battle the extreme cold and slick conditions without the use of studded snow tires as they battle their way through each stage of the rally. Last year, Subaru Rally Team USA battled hard against the Canadian champ: Antoine L'estage but ended up losing by a few seconds in the final stage. It's sure to be another exciting event with Antoine. Hopefully Ken Block's beast is able to compete, as he had some bad luck last year with mechanical problems. Travis Pastrana, who signed on with Subaru recently, will be joining the team at the next event, but David Higgins and co-driver Craig Drew will be in full attack mode in the hopes to have a strong start to the season!
Competitors have been testing and preparing all week to feel out the roads and choose the right tires to run for the event based on the present conditions. There's footage of
FY Racing and their Hawkeye STI testing at Rally America's website.
Visit
Sno*Drift 2014 for more
UPDATE: Day 1
SRT USA, despite having a rough start, is leading the Sno Drift rally. Higgins is 27 seconds ahead of privateer Antoine L'Estage after the day's events. Windy snowy weather conditions have been tough on the course and the cars overall.
UPDATE: Day 2
After a long-fought battle between the Canadian Rally Champion and SRT USA, David Higgins & Craig Drew have secured their first victory! “Last year Antoine hurt us really bad when he beat us on the last stage at Sno*Drift,” said Higgins, “These difficult conditions can change so quickly and you never know what you are going to get. That just makes me pleased to set the year off and get the points in the bag. Now I am looking forward to getting on the gravel at the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood.” - See more at:
Rally-America.com
Day Two Updates - Rally America
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