Gravity Bureau Inc. – Blog

The 2009 Lake Superior Performance Rally was a spectacular event to cover. Autumn colours create the perfect backdrop for America’s longest running rally set in the picturesque forests and hillsides of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. Brockway Mountain, the highest peak in the area is home to the only tarmac stage in the Rally-America series. Composed of fast corners and an abundance of crests, it’s one of the favorite stages amongst the RA Championship contenders.
Subaru of America’s factory drivers Travis Pastrana and Ken Block had a strong presence at this year’s LSPR. Although Travis struggled with gearbox problems on day 1 and Ken was running his car on three cylinders throughout day 2, they managed to dominate their respective classes. Pastrana/Edstrom came in first overall. Block/Gelsomino managed to secure third place overall and capture first place in the Super Production class. Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Richard secured second place in Open class, driving the Rockstar Mitsubishi Evolution X.
Unfortunately ACP ran out of luck with his EVO IX and retired due to a blown engine. After the rally, he made an appearance in Houghton’s Library Brewery. He was sporting a pumpkin decorated in his EVO IX’s engine fragments. It was sad to see him loose precious points in the last event of the Rally-America Championship. Look out for Andrew Comrie-Picard and his NOS Energy Mitsubishi Evolution X at the Rally of the Tall Pines in Bancroft, Ontario.
Polish-American rally fans came out in strong numbers to show their support for Polish rally teams, which had a strong presence at this year’s Lake Superior Performance Rally. Despite their EVO IX running on three cylinders on the second day of LSPR, Andi Mancin & Maciej Wislawski managed to finish the event and score precious points in the RA Championship. Mancin managed to place second overall during his first full season of the Rally-America Championship. This impressive result sets the stage for a fierce championship battle in the 2010 season.

Ken Block catching air at the Brockway Mountain SS13

Ken Block preparing for a landing

Brockway Mountain special stage with Lake Superior in the background

Travis Pastrana flying high at Brockway Mountain

Travis Pastrana sideways at LSPR 2009

Travis Pastrana - 2009 Rally-America Champion celebrating his victory with Ken Block & Alex Gelsomino

Impreza GC catching air at Brockway Mountain

ART Mitsubishi Evo IX barely escaping from a ditch at SS15 - Delaware

Subaru America Rally Team's Ken Block sideways at LSPR SS9

Ken Block celebrating his Super Production win

Antoine L'Estage & Nathalie Richard sideways at SS9

The National Guard Impreza STI catching air at Brockway Mountain

National Guard Impreza STI sideways at SS9

Fall colours at STPR 2009

Sideways at SS9

Brockway Mountain landing

Group B Audi

Polish fans celebrating Andi Mancin's 2nd place in the Rally-America Championship

Nathalie Richard at LSPR 2009

LSPR 2009 celebrations at the Keewenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor, MI