(Oct 3, 2010) Subaru Rally Team USA driver Dave Mirra overcame treacherously wet conditions and intense competition to finish 2nd Overall at round two of the inaugural US Rallycross Championship at New Jersey Motorsports Park on October 3rd. Mirra, driving a BFGoodrich tires-shod 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, set the fastest qualifying lap and achieved a 2nd seed in the A-Main Final which he lead for two laps until the race was red flagged and restarted due to a collision behind Mirra that damaged the track barriers. On the subsequent re-start Mirra battled to secure a 2nd Overall finish.

Mirra, who showed excellent pace during practice, qualifying and heat runs, was in control and leading the A Main before the course was red-flagged as he began his third of five laps after FIA European Rallycross driver Liam Doran crashed into a tirewall. The crash caused track officials to red-flag the course and re-grid the competitors back to their original start positions, with Doran penalized to the back of the grid. Entering the first turn after the restart Mirra was forced to concede the lead to pole-sitter Tanner Foust who had the inside line. A tight battle then ensued between Mirra and Doran on the slick and muddy course but Mirra was able to hold off Doran and then pull away to finish 2nd overall.

“I have virtually zero experience racing in the wet on asphalt and this is only my second Rallycross event ever so I’m happy with my performance here against such tight competition,” explained Mirra. I may have had a win if there the race was not restarted so that is very encouraging to me.”
Subaru Rally Team USA driver Travis Pastrana missed Saturday’s practice and qualifying due to a schedule conflict, but was in action Sunday and earned a second row grid position after a the morning heats. Pastrana had a difficult start to the A Main Final and was bumped hard to the outside and damaged the steering on his Subaru. Then, as Pastrana began following closely behind several competitors, the radiator on his Subaru was sprayed relentlessly with a thick layer of mud and dirt causing his engine to begin to overheat and forcing him to withdraw.

New to America in 2010, Rallycross sits at the intersection of rally, drifting, and road racing disciplines and features stars from each respective autosport. Six drivers line up to start at once, piloting high-horsepower compact cars through race traffic over a challenging short course that features both pavement and gravel. Each car must also take a “Joker” lap at some point during their heat, which is a small detour section of the course that adds a level of unpredictability to the heat’s outcome by changing a driver’s strategy in an instant. Organized by RallyCar, the sport is debuting this year in the US with a three-event series at the New Jersey Motorsports Park. For 2011, the calendar is expected to feature several events held nationwide.

Subaru Rally Team USA is proudly supported by Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru Tecnica International (STI), Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT), DC Shoes, BFGoodrich Tires, RECARO, Vision X, Alpinestars, Motul, Exedy, VP Fuels and Vermont SportsCar. For more information on Subaru Rally Team USA, as well as exclusive photo and video galleries visit subaru.com/rally and for the latest news follow the team on Twitter: twitter.com/srtusa.