2002 Maine Forest Rally Report
July 15, 2002
The Vermont SportsCar team recently headed to the nearby Maine Forest Rally based in Rumford Maine. The Maine Forest Rally is known as one of the more technical rallies within the SCCA ProRally Championship. The roads used are owned primarily by local logging and paper companies. Some of the stage roads are incredibly rough and rocky, and challenge the durability of both the cars and drivers.
Vermont SportsCar supported three teams in Maine to impressive results. Ralph Kosmides and co-driver Jimmy Brandt took their Group N WRX STi home to 2nd place in Group N. Kosmides is one of the most consistent drivers in the race for the Group N Championship this year and is the current Group N points leader. Good results in any of the remaining three events will surely make Ralph the 2002 Group N Champion.
Jerry Churchill made his ProRally debut in a new Vermont SportsCar prepared 2002 WRX STi Group N car. Jerry has been involved in the motorsports world for decades and has raced successfully in NASCAR and ARCA. Jerry and his bright ‘viper’ red WRX STi finished 8th in Group N. Jerry drove a smooth and consistent race to help build his experience on gravel and his new Vermont SportsCar prepared WRX STi ran flawlessly throughout the weekend. Pictures of the build of Jerry’s car can be seen here: http://www.vtcar.com/currentevents.htm Jerry has plans to fight for the Group N Championship in 2003.
Jon Pizzagalli returned to the ProRally Championship after a 3 year break from the sport in Vermont SportsCar’s white WRX STi Group N rental car. Jon drove cautiously on Friday as he re-acquainted himself with driving a high powered rally car. By Saturday he was on full attack and finished 4th in Group N, only 23 seconds out of 3rd place.
Other notable Vermont SportsCar prepared vehicles faired just as well. Bob Henderson finished 2nd in PGT in his Vermont SportsCar prepared 02 WRX and Wyeth Gubelman finished 5th in Group N in his silver and black Vermont SportsCar prepared WRX STi. Henderson currently leads the Production GT Championship.
Vermont SportsCar’s next event will be the Ojibwe Forest ProRally in Bemidji, Minnesota. The Ojibwe Forest Rally is composed of fast and generally smooth roads throughout northern Minnesota’s 10,000 Lakes region.