Vermont SportsCar, North America’s premier rally team, will provide Salem, Oregon based rally car driver Mark Fox with an Open Class Subaru Impreza WRX STi rally car at this weekend’s 2009 New England Forest Rally based in Newry, Maine. The Vermont SportsCar prepared 2007 Subaru provided to Fox will be emblazoned with striking Army National Guard artwork. Fox, co-driven by Jake Blattner, seeks to step up his campaign to earn Rally America Rookie of The Year honors by driving the higher specification Subaru.
“I’m very excited about this car,” said driver Mark Fox. “I’m really looking forward to driving the rally in a highly competitive car. I was able to test the car for two days this week and learned it’s like nothing I’ve ever driven before; it’s accurate, precise, nimble and fast. The level of its build and preparation is top notch. This is my first time competing at the New England Forest Rally so the strategy will be to stay smooth and try and finish with a good result. I’m aiming for Rally America Rookie of the Year honors this year. ”
This year’s edition of the New England Forest Rally is receiving support from the Army National Guard and Vermont SportsCar owner Lance Smith, a former member of the Vermont Army National Guard, desired to help maximize that support. “We have a great relationship with the Vermont Army National Guard locally and we knew Mark Fox has been supporting the Army National Guard all year; for us this was a great way to help both parties out,” explained Smith. “The Army National Guard did a lot for me when I was younger and this is a way I can give back for the effort they gave me.”
The Friday Regional rally at this weekend’s New England Forest Rally has been named the “’Drive Your Future Rally’ presented by the National Guard” and will be highlighted by a “Super Special” in the town of Mexico, Maine. Spectators will be have the opportunity to watch an entire gravel rally stage, complete with a jump, from start to finish right in front of them. Fans will also have the chance for an up-close look at the service crews as they take care of their rally cars at the Service Park which will also be based at the Mexico Recreation Area. As a special attraction for fans of all ages, National Guard units from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont will be on hand at the Mexico Recreation Area with a large display of state-of-the-art military vehicles.
More information about the 2009 New England Forest Rally can be found at www.newenglandforestrally.com and www.rally-america.com.