RAmer: Wild West Rally pre-race notes

RALLY AMERICA CONCLUDES THE 2006 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES At The WILD WEST RALLY

RALLY RACING RETURNS TO WASHINGTON STATE

OLYMPIA, Wash., November 14, 2006 - The final round of the 2006 Rally American National Championship is coming up fast with the Wild West Rally, to be held on December 1-3. The rally is headquartered at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia and the competition is held on logging roads west and southwest of Shelton and at the Straddleline ORV Park near McCleary.

Most of the National Championship battles have been settled, so no one will be playing it safe for championship points. Also, since it is the last rally of the season, no one will be saving their car for the next rally. Everyone entered will be going for the win. Combining this with the unpredictable early December weather in western Washington should result in a very exciting rally.

"The organizers of the Wild West Rally are very exited about the Rally America series coming to Washington for the last round of there championship. We welcome all the teams and fans from around the USA and Canada to compete and watch the best rally roads in the USA. We have planned a very action-packed weekend with our partners Subaru Western Region, Red Bull and Toys for Tots," explained Steve McQuaid, Assistant Rally Manager.

Among the drivers already entered in the Wild West Rally are X Games stars Travis Pastrana, Ken Block, and "Cowboy" Kenny Bartram, National drivers Bruce Davis and Amy BeberVanzo and local competitors Gary Cavett and Dave Hintz.

Travis Pastrana and co-driver Christian Edstrom have already gained enough points and have captured the 2006 Rally America National Championship. Both will compete at the Wild West Rally and will continue to push the racing series to new heights.

The Wild West Rally is actually three rallies in one. The Wild West Rally competition consists of two legs, each taking place on different days. Each of these legs is also a Regional rally whose participants are mostly local competitors.

The Wild West Rally was a last minute addition to the Rally America National calendar. It was originally scheduled as a Regional rally to be held in September, but fire risk caused it to be postponed. The Wild West awards banquet will also host the Rally America National awards presentation.

This year, the Wild West Rally is working with Toys For Tots, collecting toys at the Friday night Welcome Party and Autograph Session at the Red Lion Hotel and Saturday Spectator Stage at the Straddleline ORV Park.

-credit: www.wildwestrally.org