SCCA ProRally - Rim of the World Results
7 May 2000
SCCA ProRally Championship - Round #3; Day 2 - Rim of the World Preliminary Results and Key Notes Mitsubishi 1 & 2, FIA Group N takes overall At 1:00 PM Pacific Time this afternoon a reconstituted group of 36 cars were at the Day Two restart of the SCCA Rim of the World ProRally, with the strongest manufacturer field in a decade heading to the Angeles National Forest to test each other in a genuine survival of the fittest. Key Notes: ¨ The rally started its second day at the headquarters Hotel, following an extended Parc Expose. During the Parc, the organizers hosted a fundraising RallyCross event for local charities, offering rides in the rally cars to the fans; there were plenty of takers, with the MFG Championship Mitsubishi Lancers and Subaru Imprezas high on the 'preferred' list. ¨ As the afternoon turned to night the running order began to really move around, with multiple suspension problems plaguing front-runners and ClubRally entrants alike. The remaining factory Hyundai (#2, Choiniere) had a rear suspension failure in SS9, but, like the proverbial cat with nine lives, was able to get to service and effect repairs in time for SS10. ¨ Eric Eaton, the newcomer who had a great day one, had an even better day two, running as high as 2nd overall, falling back to 5th due to a puncture in SS12. ¨ Ralph Kosmides, in the Toyota Supra, made up 11 of the 14 minutes he lost last night - a remarkable achievement on the rough roads Day 2 presented, but not enough to gain back position. "Carl [Jardevall, #39] ran a brilliant race all day. I really, really hate that his car gave up on him. He deserved the win." ¨ And finally, 1999 Production class champion Karl Scheible, with co-driver Russ Hughes, achieved the win they have been striving for with an overall win for Mitsubishi, and big boost to the teams drivers and co-drivers championship points, and the first overall win for an FIA Group N car in the United States. Quotes: Karl Scheible: "There was always someone there to keep us honest. Eaton, Lahm and Plsek really pushed us the entire night. A very satisfying day, and a great comeback from Oregon Trail. Our Mitsubishi was solid the entire weekend. Lance [Smith, Vermont Sports Car] and the guys did a great job with the prep. A great event." Peter Lahm: "What a run back and forth between us! We had some road points to deal with, so we really ran hard at the end to be sure. To finish Rim twice in a row, both times on the podium, is twice the honor." Eric Eaton: "After the tough day at Oregon Trail, we knew our day was going to come - it had too. When I found out we were in 2nd overall, I really thought , wow, this is it. That flat on SS12 did us in though. Maybe we should have pressed on. But really, we did ok. I know now we can run there. A good day." Patrick Richard: (#162 Subaru) "Today was a good day. I'm finding that I'm better on day two of these events, and even though we had two punctures and a bent A-arm today, we were able to keep pace. I got a case of Kodak Courage when I saw the Speedvision helicopter, and really launched the Impreza on a jump - that landing though was our 2nd puncture, which probably cost us the podium. I hope the video is good!" Noel Lawler: (#1 Hyundai, retired Day 1) "I'll tell you this much: Stage 1 and 2 at Susquehannock Trail [round #4 in June] is going to be an F1 race, that's for sure."