Oregon Trail Rally (RA) - 15-17 May 09

Results

Posted: January 6, 2012 1:53 PM

Results for all Rounds of the 2009 Rally America Championship

Rally America

New roads, new wrinkles and new challenges for this weekend's Oregon Trail Rally

Posted: May 15, 2009 11:12 AM

The Oregon Trail Rally is celebrating its 15th year as a national event, and there's always been a lot to like about it, both from the fan's perspective, as well as the competitors.

There's the familiar, in the form of Rally Fan Appreciation Day in downtown Portland's Courthouse Square on Thursday, giving the general population a chance to see rally cars – and drivers – in a more urbane and accessible setting. This year also marks a return of the unique start of the rally itself, Friday night at Portland International Raceway (PIR) with a series of timed competitive special stages specifically designed for spectator access. 

"At PIR, fans can see half to three quarters of the stage from one or two vantage points," says Matt Tabor, the Oregon Trail Rally Co-Chairman. "Spectators can also walk around the service area, hang around the drivers and just enjoy the rally atmosphere in a unique setting, the only dedicated circuit track to be utilized in the entire Rally America Series." 

"Last year the crowds were enormous and that was really a good time," added Ben Bradley, the other Oregon Trail Rally Co-Chairman. "We're expecting nice weather again this Friday night and another nice crowd turnout as a result." 

A couple of the Super Production competitors I talked to also like the road racing circuit stage. 

"We may be one of the only SP teams out there with a real strategy formed before we get to the rally," opined Pat Moro, the Dublin, Ohio-based driver/owner of the Moro Racing Super Production class Subaru, currently fourth in SP points on the season. "We're going to try real hard on the special stage Friday night at PIR and try to move up as high as we can, then try to take it a little easier when we move to the forest roads over the weekend. We're in this thing for the championship so we're not going to push 110 percent and give it everything we have on every stage. You can get in trouble that way. If we can give it 85 percent and get into a groove and rhythm with the car we'll likely end up finishing the event and doing fairly well." 

Event Website / Details

Posted: January 1, 2009 12:01 AM

Rally America