June 30, 2011
DP WRX Journal -
Travel dates: June 1-
Purpose:
To attend the GRAND-
To attend the RallyCar Susquehannock Trail Rally (STPR) around Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, with Subaru Rally Team USA (SRT USA)
Start/Finish: Drive Performance headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Distance:
According to mapping services -
Actual (with commute to/from hotel): 2,023.7 miles
Major routes:
Wisconsin: Interstate 94
Illinois: Interstates 94, 294
Indiana: Interstates 94, 80
Ohio: Interstates 80, 90
Pennsylvania: Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 15
New York: Interstates 90, 86; U.S. Highway 15
Fuel consumption: 72.3 gallons
Mileage: 28.0 mpg
This trip ended up to be a total immersion in Subaru Motorsports. Both SRRT and SRT USA were competing in racing events at venues less than 100 miles apart. SRRT's race in the GRAND-
However, I hadn't prepared for a couple of twists that put me in touch with both teams more intensively than usual. SRRT's practice in preparation for qualifying on Thursday revealed an engine problem that required replacement. As a result, the team missed qualifying and would have the start from the back of the GS Class field in Friday's race.
The Ride of my Life
We had some free time following qualifying. Subaru Motorsports Manager James Han asked if I'd be interested in a media ride in one of SRT USA's rally cars. Why even ask?! SRRT team member Bill Spaude (grandfather of driver Bret Spaude) and I both joined Han at the RallyCar/Susquehannock Trail Rally practice stage south of Wellsboro, near Morris, Pennsylvania.
I'll have observations about my ride with Dave Mirra in a future Journal entry. Stay tuned ...
The Rest of the Weekend
SRRT #35 had another problem in the morning practice on race day, so SRRT pulled out the backup car and entered it as #135.
Watkins Glen is a wonderful place for spectators, because you can witness high speeds as well as turns requiring good handling. The GRAND-
Find information about all of the SRRT's races in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge on SRRT's website.
Meanwhile, further south, SRT USA's David Higgins/Craig Drew led the rally going into the final Super Special -
Contrary to previous years, the fairgrounds was full of mud instead of dust. One lane of the Super Special was so muddy that the organizers stopped the runs going through it. L'Estage/Richard were quicker through the Super Special, but not quite enough. Higgins/Drew won the rally by 1.3 seconds -
Performance Charts
SRRT Performance in the 2011 GRAND-
Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Grand Sport Class
1 Transmission
2 Electrical
3 Car #135
SRT USA Performance in the
2011 RallyCar National Championship
1 Engine
2 Accident
Notes from the Trip
My notes from this round trip are in the Drive Journal entry Change of Pace.
-
Event
Round 1: GRAND-
Daytona International Speedway
Round 2: Kia 200
Homestead Miami Speedway
Round 3: Barber 200
Barber Motorsports Park
Round 4: Bosch Engineering 200 at VIR
VIRginia International Raceway
Round 5: Memorial Day Classic
Lime Rock Park
Round 6:
Continental Tire 150
Watkins Glen International
Date/Location
28-
Daytona Beach, FL
5-
Homestead, FL
9-
Leeds, AL
14-
Alton, VA
28-
Lakeville, CT
3-
Watkins Glen, NY
Drivers
Andrew Aquilante/
Bret Spaude
Andrew Aquilante/
Bret Spaude
Andrew Aquilante/
Bret Spaude
Andrew Aquilante/
Bret Spaude
Andrew Aquilante/
Bret Spaude
Andrew Aquilante/
Bret Spaude
Finishing Position
13
DNF( 1)
DNF(2 )
11
11
183
Event
Round 1
Sno*Drift Rally
Round 2
100 Acre Wood
Round 3
Olympus Rally
Round 4
Oregon Trail Rally
Round 5
Susquehannock Trail Rally
Date/Location
January 28-
Atlanta, MI
February 25-
Salem, MO
30-
Ocean Shores, WA
May 13-
Portland, OR
June 3-
Wellsboro, PA
Drivers
David Higgins
Dave
Mirra
David Higgins
Dave
Mirra
David Higgins
Dave
Mirra
David Higgins
Dave
Mirra
David Higgins
Dave
Mirra
Finishing Position
DNF1
2
2
3
1
4
1
DNF2
1
5
Driver Standings
—
2
4
2
3 (tie)
2
1
1
4
(610) 482-
Joe Aquilante, president (610) 482-
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