That's it for 2009!  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
The 2009 Lake Superior Performance Rally is over. Scores are being finalized and winners are about to accept their awards. Join us January 29-30 for the 2010 Rally America season opener, Sno*Drift, in Atlanta, Michigan.

Counting stage wins  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
With the championship all locked up before the start of this event, Travis Pastrana and Christian Edstrom had to do something to amuse themselves this weekend. They opted to drive hard and try to win all the stages at LSPR. They came close! After 17 stages, they'd won all but two. Antoine L'Estage took those wins, robbing Pastrana of a perfect event by around 4 seconds.

Update: Mike Hurst just made it...  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Rally America technical director Mike Hurst and co-driver Robert Bohn were believed out of the rally on SS15, but managed to continue under their own power.

There are no details yet, but the team was off and reported OK, then managed to regain the road. Now they're at the back of the pack, but still on the road.

The duo had been setting strong G2 times in the regional event Saturday in their 1975 Group 2 Ford Capri.

Hurst said they were running the car as a test for owner Bob Olsen -- who is recuperating from a crash he had earlier this year.

Meanwhile, in California  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Top rally competitor Tanner Foust and former rally regular Rhys Millen are both in the drifting big leagues and competing in the Formula Drift final this weekend in Irwindale, California. I know you all prefer your sliding on dirt but, in case you were wondering, Tanner qualified in third, while Rhys is 17th.

Engine pumpkin  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Andrew "ACP" Comrie-Picard and co-driver Jeremy "Worm" Wimpey may be out of LSPR with what the team called a "catastrophically" blown engine, but the disappointment hasn't cost them their sense of humour.

The team gathered up the pieces and artfully embedded some of the shredded metal into a pumpkin to create what they figure is a pretty terrifying Halloween decoration -- to a car lover. What pieces can you identify?

Update: Hascher/Rhoades out -- again  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Car 73, Hascher/Rhoades, have retired from the Day 2 regional after a mechanical problem.

It's been a "press on regardless" event for the duo, who first retired after they rolled their PGT Subaru WRX on Day 1. They rejoined the rally for Day 2 after overnight repairs but were out again by mid-afternoon.

Hill/Yarroch struggling to continue  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Erik Hill and Michael Yarroch are struggling to restart their G2 Eagle Talon (#864) and continue in the rally. According to radio reports, they're working quickly to try and repair a mechanical fault so that they can avoid being disqualified. Under the rules, teams that become more than 20 minutes late are considered "time barred" and are unable to continue in competition.

Practice makes perfect  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Top Super Production class driver Jimmy Keeney honed his skills before the rally on Thursday night in the Rockhouse arcade.

80 mph  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Scoring analysis has dropped Travis Pastrana's cumulative score by 5.5 seconds today, after he was found to have exceeded the 80 mph average on two stages.

Under Rally America rules, competition cars are not allowed to earn a score for a time that averages more than 80 mph over the course of a single stage. If they do, the score reflects an 80 mph average, and rally organizers must make course changes in future years. The rule is in place in an effort to keep the competition as safe as possible for teams.

Times were adjusted on SS2 and SS10 and Pastrana is the only driver to have exceeded the 80 mph limit over the course of this event. The change has not affected his position in the rally.

Mancin nursing ailing engine  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Polish driver Andi Mancin is battling an ailing engine into the final miles of the rally. With about 20 stage miles remaining, Mancin reports that his Evo's engine is running on three cylinders instead of the usual four, and he is hoping he can make it to the finish.

Mancin is currently in fourth place and trailing Block -- who's Subaru's motor is also running on three cylinders. But Mancin will be lucky to stay ahead of Super Production driver Heath Nunnemacher, who trails him by just .1 of a second after SS12.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
The Lake Superior Performance Rally is big news in the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette this weekend -- with a great shot of Mark Fox! Check out Saturday's story here.

www.mininggazette.com/page/content.detail/id/507047.html

Huuki/Immonen reported out  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
There are preliminary reports that Car 566 (Matt Huuki and Tim Immonen) is out of the rally after SS12. The duo are fine, but stage workers reported seeing the duo pushing the car to the end of the stage Saturday morning.

Driving suits are carry-on - just ask Grahn  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Evan Cline co-driver Jason Grahn has been sporting a borrowed driving suit, helmet and HANS device this weekend (courtesy of Piotr Wiktorczyk and Greg Dorman, whose engine blew during the practice stage).

Grahn checked his safety gear when he hopped a flight to Houghton from Seattle on Thursday. When his flight was cancelled due to poor weather, he settled for a redirected flight to nearby Marquette. It was touch and go, but he did arrive in time to co-drive -- although his luggage did not.

Moral of the story: never put your suit, helmet or HANS in your checked baggage. Carry it on!

PS - If you're really, really nice to the people manning the X-ray machine at the airport, they can check your helmet for damage when they run it through.

Delaware draws crowds  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
The Delaware spectator area is popular for fans, with teams passing the location three times on Saturday (cars are scheduled to arrive at 12:17, 3:03 and 5:29). But rally veterans know to get there early and by 11 a.m., there were already a whole lot of cars parked in the area.

Slick Stage 11  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Organizing crews surveying the route ahead of the teams on Saturday said Stage 11 was slick. Teams are expected to receive a warning at the start that it is more slippery than usual.

Who is winning?  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Teams will run a total of eight stages on Saturday, for a total of 31.88 stage miles -- about a quarter of the rally's total stage miles -- and are expected to finish by about 6 p.m. Service breaks are scheduled for about 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. Watch for more updates and scores around then.

First timers enjoy LSPR  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
First-time LSPR competitors Don Kennedy and co-driver Matt Kennedy say they're having a good time shaking down their new Subaru.

The duo are campaigning a 1993 Subaru Impreza backed by Steve Moyes Subaru and KAM Specialties. They started Day 2 35th car on the road. They said the event has been running smoothly – after they repaired a fuel line that came loose after the practice stage on Thursday.

Tough SS9 leaves battle scars  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Many cars lined up for parc expose sporting battle scars after a tough final stage on Friday. The trouble with the particularly slick Stage 9 corner began with the first car on the road. Travis Pastrana smacked a tree with the rear of his Subaru after finding little traction in the braking zone. Next up was Antoine L'Estage, who knocked the front of his Mitsubishi, tearing off his light pod and part of his bumper. Several cars later, Mark Fox said he saw the lost light pod in the trees – as he was running over it. While Jimmy Keeney and Heath Nunnemacher were among the other drivers who reported trouble there.

Teams were quick to point out that the corner was properly described in their route books, but the slick conditions added a degree of treachery that tested the limits of their abilities.

L'Estage's co-driver Nathalie Richard went back to the corner to try and recover their costly light pod after the evening's competition was over and said it was clear the corner was not kind to many teams, saying: "There were bits and pieces everywhere."

Hurst in the driver's seat  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Rally America technical director Mike Hurst is in the driver's seat today.

The sport organizer's staff member is running the regional event Saturday in a 1975 Group 2 Ford Capri. Hurst is testing the car for owner Bob Olsen, who is recuperating from a crash earlier this year. He is co-driven by Robert Bohn.

The carefully built, 250 hp, rear-wheel-drive car is a crowd pleaser that has been much photographed by local fans all weekend long and it promises to be exciting to watch on the stage roads.

Although Hurst hasn't been a regular competitor in recent years, the driver built a reputation as a serious rear-wheel drive rally threat in cars including a Mustang, an RX7, and a Porsche 911. His last contest was a Mustang Challenge – against Mark Utecht – for Ford's 2010 Mustang Unleashed contest. Watch for it soon at www.fordvehicles.com/the2010mustang/

Block is smoking...  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino are smoking today -- literally. The team's Super Production Subaru has an ailing engine -- a recurring problem in the development of the SP car.

The crew considered changing out the engine overnight but, with just 30 miles of top-speed competition remaining, Block and Gelsomino have their fingers crossed that the car will make it to the end.

Gelsomino says the crew has a lot of oil on board, the motor has been detuned to reduce stress on the failing components, and Block is expected to take it easy to try and baby the engine to the finish.

Look who is back!  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
"Cowboy" Kenny Bartram and co-driver Dennis Hotson are back in action on Day 2 after a Friday rollover that took them out of the contest on the second stage.

They tried to right the car, said Bartram.

"We tried every sort of redneck engineering we could think of and ended up using a jack against the side of our car and the tree," he said.

Although they were ultimately unsuccessful Friday, the crew was able to return the car to road-worthy overnight -- with some heroic efforts and lots of duct tape -- and they are back in the Day 2 regional portion of the event on Saturday.

The popular duo made their return to Rally America at this event after more than a year on hiatus. Bartram, a motocross freestyle veteran who is recognized as an innovator in the sport, has returned to his roots in the past year. He has had a busy schedule doing exhibition rides around the country, including at a recent NASCAR race, and has had to put rally on the back-burner.

He says he hopes to find the budget and time to return to regular competition.

Jump starts  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Two teams are starting Day 2 with penalties for jumping the start yesterday on the very first stage.

"We beat everybody off the line," joked a sheepish Dillon Van Way on Saturday mornig. "I was just nervous and too ready to go. It was a rookie mistake."

Fortunately, the blunder didn't cost Van Way his title. The 17-year-old driver sealed his championship win in the 2WD category just by starting this weekend.

Likewise, veteran Canadian Antoine L'Estage was so comfortably in second place that the two-minute penalty for jumping the start hasn't cost him any positions in the rally. He starts Day 2 in second place overall.

ACP out with blown engine  - Saturday, October 17, 2009
Andrew "ACP" Comrie-Picard and co-driver Jeremy "Worm" Wimpey are out of LSPR with a blown engine on the second-to-last stage of Day 1. The team were solidly in podium contention and in a strong position to move into the runner-up position in the 2009 Rally America championship. Second place in the championship will now go to Polish driver Andi Mancin.

Lance Smith on his Subaru Relationship  - Friday, October 16, 2009
We've talked with Vermont Sports Car principal Lance Smith about Internet discussions that his relationship with Subaru is in some kind of jeopardy. Smith said his three-year deal with Subaru Rally Team USA concludes at the end of this year but he's currently in talks to create another multi-year agreement with Subaru. He said Subaru is very happy with his program and has encouraged him to build three new open class cars for the 2010 Rally America season for his current team of drivers: Travis Pastrana, Ken Block and Dave Mirra. He said those cars are in various stages of development. He said he is happy with his program and is confident of it's future. You can hear Smith's interview here: www.youtube.com/watch

UPDATE: Block angling for a Ford ride?  - Friday, October 16, 2009
We've talked with Ken Block this evening to learn more about the reports he's close to a deal to join the World Rally Championship in a new Ford team. Block told us he's happy with his Subaru relationship but that relationship is in negotiation right now for next year. He said he wants to stay with Subaru but his sponsors, especially Monster Energy Drink, want an international presence for Ken. That desire has led to an exploration of options for next year but nothing has been finalized, especially with Ford, according to Ken.

The reports say former Subaru driver Chris Atkinson has been lined up as Block's teammate in an all-new Monster Energy Drink World Rally Team and a three-year deal is set to be finalized in the next month. AUTOSPORT magazine broke the story just this week, crediting the driver's management team at Wasserman Media Group, but Block characterizes the story as "rumours."

Listen to Block's response to the story at www.youtube.com/user/RallyAmericaSeries

Weekend videos live!  - Friday, October 16, 2009
Rally America is bringing you videos from LSPR. Check out www.youtube.com/user/RallyAmericaSeries and click on the Lake Superior Performance Rally playlist for the latest clips from the rally.

Gearbox issues for Pastrana  - Friday, October 16, 2009
Travis Pastrana came into the third service today with a whole lot of gear teeth rattling around in his gearbox.

He and co-driver Christian Edstrom apparently lost all but two gears (3rd and 5th) on the fifth stage this evening and had only 5th by the time they checked in to service. The Subaru Rally Team USA crew were able to swap in a working transmission and Pastrana said he was lucky -- the last stage was fast and he hardly lost any time at all.

No recce at LSPR  - Friday, October 16, 2009
Drivers have become accustomed to verifying the supplied JEMBA notes at Rally America events, but LSPR remains one of the few events that doesn't offer some form of notes verification.

While Travis Pastrana says he's having a great time, ACP isn't so sure. He says he's really missing the confidence he gains from having checked and modified the notes before running them and is having to play it safe this weekend. Likewise, Canadian Antoine L'Estage is used to running with full recce in Canada and said early Friday he was a little nervous.

Greenhouse and Eixenberger in G2 showdown  - Friday, October 16, 2009
It's Chad Eixenberger and co-driver Christopher Gordon in their VW Golf versus Chris Greenhouse and co-driver Don DeRose in their Neon for the regional G2 win this weekend.

The duo are in a heated battle for the G2 Central Regional Champioship (Greenhouse took the title in 2008; Eixenberger won it in 2007). Don't miss the excitement as the winner is decided here.

Update: Hascher/Rhoades are out  - Friday, October 16, 2009
Car 73, Hascher/Rhoades, are out of the rally after a rollover in their PGT Subaru WRX. They were unharmed and there were early reports from the stages that the team were attempting to right the car and continue in the competition but they retired after SS3.

Block down on boost  - Friday, October 16, 2009
Ken Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino were complaining they were down on boost when they pulled into service after three stages today. Gelsomino said they lost boost on the second stage, and started losing time. They were in fourth place after three stages. Their service crew replaced the turbo so they're expected to start picking up the pace when they get back on the road this evening.

Pastrana flying at LSPR  - Friday, October 16, 2009
Subaru Rally Team USA orders to Travis Pastrana apparently were: "drive it like you stole it." Rarely are sweeter words spoken to the competitive Pastrana, who loves any opportunity to go fast and drive on the edge.

"I saw 121 mph on a slick narrow road with puddles," said Pastrana after three stages. "It was sweet!"

Pastrana has already secured the Rally America title for 2009 and the team is expected to debut new cars next season, so he has nothing to lose in what should be the last run in the old car.

Looks like fans can expect him to win or crash at this one.

Car 73 off -- trying to return to competition  - Friday, October 16, 2009
The team of Peter Hascher and Scott Rhoades are reported off on SS3 after a rollover in their PGT Subaru WRX. Early reports are that the team were attempting to right the car and continue in the competition but it's not yet clear whether they'll be able to start SS4.

Car 864 retired after SS1  - Friday, October 16, 2009
The G2 Eagle Talon of Erik Hill and co-driver Michael Yarroch are reported out of LSPR after the first service break early Friday, apparently with a mechanical issue. With any luck, they'll be able to make repairs and get back in it for Day 2.

Fans flock to LSPR despite weather  - Friday, October 16, 2009
Cold weather and a little drizzle can't keep the Yoopers away from LSPR! Fans flocked to the opening Parc Expose in Houghton and were out in force at the early spectator area on Friday. We're seeing more and more fans at every Rally America event and we love it!

Rooney out early  - Friday, October 16, 2009
Reports that Tim Rooney and co-driver Travis Hanson are out on SS2. No details yet, other than that the crew is OK.

Now you see them, now you do not  - Friday, October 16, 2009
The popular team of Kenny Bartram and co-driver Dennis Hotson were back in action here this weekend at LSPR after a long absence from the series. Their run didn't last long, though. There are preliminary reports that they're off on Stage 2. No details yet, other than that they're OK. We'll get you more news when we can!

Who is the NARC  - Friday, October 16, 2009
The North American Championship (NARC) counts a team's best six results from a combination of Canadian and US starts. To qualify to run the championship, teams must start a minimum of two events in either country. With two rounds remaining (LSPR and Canada's season ender, Tall Pines), it's down to ACP, Canadian Antoine L'Estage and Ken Block. ACP's leading, but L'Estage has entered LSPR for the first time ever and is looking to play spoiler. Block is all but out of it, with tough luck so far this year that means he's counting a couple of poor Canadian finishes in his results.

Block angling for a Ford ride?  - Friday, October 16, 2009
Recent reports have the rally community abuzz that Ken Block is close to a deal to join the World Rally Championship in a new Ford team. Former Subaru driver Chris Atkinson has been lined up as Block's teammate in the all-new Monster Energy Drink World Rally Team. The three-year deal is set to be finalized in the next month, according to Block's management team at Wasserman Media Group. AUTOSPORT magazine broke the news just this week and there's no word yet how it will impact Block's relationship with Subaru in the United States. Check back later for an update!

Where is Tanner?  - Friday, October 16, 2009
Tanner Foust had a strong start to the rally season this year, but hasn't been seen in competition since X Games. The former X Games gold medalist is also a Formula Drift champion and his heavy schedule has so far made a full US rally season impossible. This weekend he's at a big drifting event in Irwindale, California. Next, watch for him to be wearing Team USA colors alongside Travis Pastrana in this year's Race of Champions in Beijing on November 3-4. Foust subbed in for Pastrana last year when the latter picked up an injury on the eve of the Wembley showdown. Foust beat current Formula 1 championship leader Jenson Button in one of the event's heats last year before being eliminated by David Coulthard.

Points of interest  - Friday, October 16, 2009
Travis Pastrana may have already sewn up the Rally America title for 2009, but there's no shortage of racing yet to be done here at the final round of the championship. There's a tight battle for the runner-up position, with Andi Mancin, Andrew Comrie-Picard and Ken Block duking it out this weekend. To hold on to second, Mancin will have to beat ACP here at LSPR. A win from Block could earn him third. The Super Production class sees only 20 points between the top three drivers. A stroke of bad luck saw Piotr Wiktorczyk out before the race could begin with a blown engine during practice, but Jimmy Keeney and Pat Moro will both be in it to win it. In two-wheel-drive, 17-year-old Dillon Van Way from Carencro, LA is just one point away from winning his first-ever title.

Just visiting  - Friday, October 16, 2009
If you've come in from out of the town to watch the rally, locals will appreciate it if you figure out how to pronounce the name of their fine community. You may be tempted to look at the name "Houghton" in your guidebook and say "HEWton" or "HOWton." You'd be wrong. It's "HOton." And word from the wise: be sure to sample the local food here. Pick up a tasty pasty (pronounced "PAH-stee." And, yes, a sign that reads "Granny's Pasties" may conjure up a different kind of image in your mind if you're from somewhere like Vegas, but granny is no showgirl, she's a baker who makes stick-to-your-ribs goodness in the form of a portable shepherd's pie. Yum.)

UP where?  - Friday, October 16, 2009
The fall colors are brilliant here in Michigan's Upper Peninsula this weekend for LSPR. The rally is headquartered in Houghton, Michigan, in the middle of the Keweenaw Peninsula -- which juts some 60 miles out into Lake Superior. The event runs into the tip of the peninsula, following the curving line of Lake Superior along the way. It's cold and drizzly today as cars head out for the opening stages, with snow reported up in the Keweenaw Mountains where competition will be tomorrow. Storm systems build quickly on water the size of Lake Superior, which means that the weather can change very rapidly. Teams have to be prepared for anything at this rally – with tires at the ready for any possible road condition.

Fox thrills fans  - Friday, October 16, 2009
Mark Fox and co-driver Jake Blattner apparently gave fans a show with an off-road excursion at the spectator stage on very first stage of the day. By all reports, it looked hairy but Fox managed to regain the road and he's still in it!

Rally America on Twitter  - Friday, October 16, 2009
Rally America is on Twitter -- and so are a whole lot of you. (Follow us at Rally_America) This weekend's hashtag is #RA9. Follow along!

Schedule & update times  - Friday, October 16, 2009
The LSPR schedule will see teams run the majority of their stage miles on Friday as they compete well into the night. Teams start at 1 p.m. and don't wrap up tonight until more than 12 hours later after nine stages and a total of 92.15 miles Friday. Teams take their first service break in Kenton at 6 p.m., when we will begin reporting scores and continue our live updates with news from the rally. Teams will return to service again at 8:20 p.m., 10:09 p.m., and 12:49 a.m. Watch for news then. The rally resumes again on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. for eight more stages and a total of 31.88 Day 2 stage miles.

Teams are starting LSPR  - Friday, October 16, 2009
Teams are heading out for the early stages at LSPR. Watch for scoring and live updates all day long!