Portland, Oregon -- North America’s top rally competitors head west this coming weekend for Round 3 of the Rally America Championship, where teams will take on the winding roads of Oregon’s coast mountain range at the 2006 Oregon Trail Rally.

The area’s undulating countryside offers spectacular views for spectators and tough challenges for drivers and co-drivers. Moss-draped Douglas Fir trees huddle steps from the roadside and drivers face steep rock faces and endless drop-offs at virtually every turn.

Weather is typically a factor at this event, making for unpredictable road conditions. With the race start just days away, there is still snow on some of the mountain passes.

Among those expected to fight for the overall lead are the two Subaru Team USA entries driven by Travis Pastrana and Ken Block. Pastrana scored his first-ever rally podium result at this event last season, finishing in second place after three days of fierce competition.

Also among the podium contenders are defending North American champion Matthew Iorio, who finished fourth in Oregon last year, and a pair of series newcomers who have shown promise so far this year: Italian Alfredo DeDominicis, and Australian Andrew Pinker, both in Subarus.

Local favorite Paul Eklund knows the roads well and is also expected to challenge for a top finish in his Open class Subaru.

The opening stages of the 125-mile course take place Friday at the Portland International Raceway, with competitors taking short laps around a mixed tarmac and gravel course past cheering spectators in the grandstands. The contest moves to the woods on Saturday and Sunday for a more traditional rally competition through the area’s winding mountain roads.

The Oregon Trail Rally is organized by Oregon Rally Group of Tigard, Oregon. Rally America, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, holds the sanctioning and marketing right to the Rally America Championship.