ATLANTA, MI -- Rally America’s first event of the season lived up to the hype. The Sno*Drift Rally is the only winter rally race of the season and it began with a stacked entry field with more than 50 competitors. With slick road conditions, the drivers and co-drivers maneuvered through wet snow and icy conditions during the two day rally where an abundance of fans cheered on their favorite competitors throughout the race.

Travis Pastrana raced to victory and captured his first Sno*Drift Rally. It looks like he is beginning the season where he left off in 2006, on top of the podium. With top competitors entered in the full season, Pastrana will have his hands full at each event this year. Matthew Johnson drove hard and smart to capture the PGT Class victory. He is looking to defend his 2006 Rally America National Championship PGT title.

The most talented drivers in the world driving Real cars, Real fast on Real roads throughout Montmorency County in Michigan was action packed. During the first day of competition, teams drove smart and attacked seven different stages. The goal is to be tactical in the first day, so you have a good car available to compete during the second day of the competition. Tire selection is obviously important when racing on snow and ice and top teams are able to gain precious seconds on competitors if they choose their tires wisely.

There were various stage winners during the first day of competition, which saw Andrew Pinker, Andrew Comrie-Picard, Paul Choiniere and Travis Pastrana post some of the quickest stage times of the day.

The second day of competition began with a bitter cold morning, but spirits were high and rally racers were ready to hit the roads. Rally America drivers battled through ten grueling stages and there were various racers who took the lead throughout the day. Travis Pastrana, Tanner Foust, Andrew Pinker and Paul Choiniere battled to the end in a tough race for the overall win. There was also a strong fight to the finish in the PGT Class between Matthew Johnson, Travis Hanson, and Justin Pritchard.

Cars competing in the Rally America’s events are street-legal vehicles modified for safety. The cars are separated into six classes ranging from stock to highly modified. There are currently 11 different makes of automobiles registered in Rally America, lead by Subaru, Mitsubishi, Dodge, Ford and Volkswagen.

The 2007 Rally America National Championship series consists of ten exciting events throughout the country in many different weather and road conditions spanning the forest logging roads in Minnesota, the high-altitude Yampa River Valley in Northwest Colorado to the Pacific Northwest forest and coast paths.

Rally America drivers are also competing in the early part of the 2007 schedule to gain a spot in the X Games 13, which will be taking place in early August in Los Angeles.

Exciting coverage from all the Rally America events will be broadcasted on ESPN2 this year as well as highlights on the Rally America website. Rally America and ESPN reached a multi-year agreement in 2006 and five shows highlighting all the fast paced 2007 Rally America action will be televised for viewers enjoyment.

Rally America’s next race will occur in Salem, MO at the 100 Acre Wood Rally on February 23 and 24th.

Photos and more event information can be found at www.rally-america.com or www.sno-drift.org.

Media Contact: Don Rathgeber, Chairman, Sno*Drift Rally, chairman@sno-drift.org, 734-421-8614