BEMIDJI, MN -- Clouds of dust blanketed excited spectators at the Bemidji Speedway dirt track on Friday as teams tackled the first stage of the Ojibwe Forests Rally.

At this seventh round of the Rally America Championship the fight for the title was heating up. Rockstar Energy Drink Syms driver Andrew Pinker was looking to defend his lead from challengers Ken Block and Travis Pastrana, of Subaru Rally Team USA, who were both within reach to topple him from the top of the driver’s standings.

“I’ve got to be in the top three,” said Block between signing autographs during the race-opening exhibition at the Speedway Friday afternoon. “But to win would really help my championship position.”

Block has never finished this rally. He crashed badly at this event in 2006 and also failed to finish the year before. He credits his spills to inexperience and said he feels good about his chances in 2007.

This event marks a return to the series for X Games gold medalists Tanner Foust and Chrissie Beavis. Foust, who is also a top threat in the Formula D drifting series, had to miss the two previous rounds due to scheduling conflicts. Hot off his victory at X Games 13 earlier this month, he said he is happy to be back in the rally game.

“This is back to reality,” said Foust, who hasn’t competed in the series since May. “Things feel good but at this rally there is so much racing on the first day that warming into it is not an option. I have to go hard right off the bat.”

This rally features more than 150 miles of stage miles spread over two days – nearly half of which take place on Day 1 as the day wanes and cars race into the night. Held on smooth and fast roads through Northern Minnesota’s lake and vacation country, the surface is marked by soft, sandy spots, which can create trouble for rally teams.

Travis Pastrana and Christian Edstrom, who claimed victory at this race last season, are confident of their ability to repeat in 2007.

Entering this weekend’s rally, the top three drivers in the 2007 Rally America standings are separated by just 12 points. Pinker and co-driver Robbie Durant lead the standings, 86-77, over Subaru Rally Team USA’s Travis Pastrana and co-driver Christian Edstrom.

Block and co-driver Alessandro Gelsomino are third, while Pinker’s RockStar Energy Drink teammates Foust and Beavis are fourth with 55 points.