2011 Sno*Drift Rally Recap

gravitybureau — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:41:40 +0000

The top story at this year’s Sno*Drift was Travis Hanson’s win in a Super Production car. Dave Mirra with his new co-driver, Marshall Clarke of the Subaru Rally Team USA finished second and Joseph Burke / Alexander Kihurani finished third in their Mitsubishi EVO IX.

Driving conditions around Altlanta, MI were treacherous as always. Roads were covered with ice and snow and they claimed open class favorites Dave Higgins and Antoine L’Estage, who didn’t finish the rally.

Next up on the Rally America roster is 100 Acre Wood Rally in Salem, MO.

Big thanks for Arthur Partyka for covering this rally.

Lauchlin O'Sullivan & Scott Putnam sideways in a 2007 Subaru WRX-STI - ©Arthur Partyka

Winners of the 2011 Sno*Drift Rally - Travis Hanson & Terry Hanson - ©Arthur Partyka

David Higgins & Craig Drew who DNF'ed in a 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI - ©Arthur Partyka

Frank & Barbara Whiton running into a snowbank in their 2010 Chevy Cobalt SS - ©Arthur Partyka

Richard Burton & Maxime Vadeboncoeur - 2007 Subaru STI - ©Arthur Partyka

Evan Cline & Grzegorz Dorman in a Super Production 2005 Subaru WRX - ©Arthur Partyka

Dave Mirra & Marshall Clarke in an Open Class 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STi - ©Arthur Partyka

Snowbank!

Jimmy & Melissa Keeney sideways - ©Arthur Partyka

Chris Duplessis & Catherine Woods in a 2010 Scion xD - ©Arthur Partyka

Hansen brothers celebrating their win at the 2011 Sno*Drift - ©Arthur Partyka

2011 Sno*Drift Rally Recap

2010 Sno*Drift Rally Summary

gravitybureau — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:24:04 +0000

The 2010 Sno*Drift Rally was icy. REALLY icy. The competitors that we spoke to couldn’t believe how slippery the roads near Atlanta, MI were this year. The fact that
studded winter tires are not permitted in the part of Michigan where the rally takes place made for a spectacular rally-car ice dance.

Travis Pastrana negotiated this year’s rally with a broken collar-bone and to everyone’s surprise took the victory! He said that his injury actually helped make his driving smoother and prevented him from taking unnecessary risks.

Travis Pastrana negotiating an icy corner at Sno*Drift 2010 - ©Neil McDaid

Travis showing off his latest scar... And celebrating vistory with his co-driver, Cristian Edstrom - ©Neil McDaid

Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino brought out their latest toy – Monster World Rally Ford Fiesta. They showed top-notch performance and were in the 3rd position when they were forced to retire due to a technical problem. Take a look at the new Fiesta in snow-mode below:

Ken Block cutting a corner in his rally-prepped Ford Fiesta - ©Neil McDaid

Block's Fiesta sideways - ©Neil McDaid

Ken Block goes flat out in his Rally Fiesta on ice during Sno*Drift testing

Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Richard snatched-up the second place in the their Rockstar Mitsubishi EVO X. See below for in-car footage of Antoine and Nathalie tearing through the icy stages.

Sno*Drift Rally - Antoine L'Estage// Nathalie Richard - ROCKSTAR ENERGY

William Bacon and Peter Watt took the third place in their 2006 Mitsubishi EVO IX. Andrew “ACP” Comrie-Picard placed at a respectable fourth place despite of a close encounter with a snowbank. Andrew commented on this year’s Sno*Drift conditions and said that “the first few stages were the iciest I have ever seen… and the rally just got icier from there.” ACP owes his strong finish to a fellow rally team of pro mountain bikers Carl Decker and Adam Craig, who stopped in the middle of a stage and pulled the NOS EVO IX back onto the road.

The Polish crew of Andi Mancin & Maciej Wislawski placed 12th with their 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

Official Rally-America 2010 Sno*Drift Rally video highlights:

2010 Sno*Drift Rally Official Highlights

Photo Credit: Neil McDaid

Sources: RallyBuzz, Rally-America, SpecialStage

Gravity Bureau Inc. - Blog » Sno*Drift

2011 Sno*Drift Rally Recap

2010 Sno*Drift Rally Summary