Steamboat Springs, CO — As cars roll into the parc expose at the end of the first day of Rally Colorado, the top of the field has taken shape. For some it has been heartbreak, and for others today has been a cause for celebration. Travis Pastrana moved into the lead after Andy Pinker rolled during a late morning stage, and has held first ever since. Kyle Sarasin has also kept up a brilliant pace, moving into a solid second position, well within striking distance should Pastrana have any difficulties tomorrow.

“Kyle’s driving really well, and we’re going to have to push tomorrow to stay ahead of him,” explained Pastrana at the end of today’s action.

Subaru Rally Team USA teammate Ken Block had problems on the very first stage, and after electing to take a penalty for illegal service, was able to continue the rally, but with a ten minute penalty. Although he has traded times with Travis Pastrana all day, Block has had a hard time staying motivated.

“It’s just been a really tough day, and we came to win. We can’t do that now, so we just have to try to score as many championship points as possible.” Block, whose flat out style is favoured by the fast stages of Rally Colorado, was one of the favourites to win here. “Really, it’s been nothing but frustrating today.”

Kyle Sarasin and Mikael Johansson end the day in second place overall, just twenty eight seconds behind the leaders. The two have been pushing hard all day, and Kyle is excited at how close he has been able to stay to Pastrana. “It’s good to be right there if Travis has any problems, but I don’t know that we can catch him.”

Lauchlin O'Sullivan and Scott Crouch are having a great rally. The team currently sits 3rd overall in a PGT car. “We are having a blast!” said co-driver Scott Crouch. Aside from a late call when nearing a cattle guard the team had had a mostly trouble free day. “We look forward to tomorrow and hope to maintain our overall position.” The pair are secure in their position with over three and a half minutes out of second, but over a minute ahead of Carl Jardevall and Chrissie Beavis.

Rounding out the top five at the end of the days action is George Georgekopoulos and Faruq Mays in their 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX. The pair have run a steady event, and have a healthy margin to work with tomorrow. “Our biggest thing tomorrow, is to tell Ken Block to slow down!” George wants to hold his position and wants to keep Block behind him.

The end of day today also marks the end of the Middle Cog 1 Regional Rally. The day has been a tough one for the regional field, with five of the thirteen entries failing to make it to the end of the days action.

Steve Bis and Brian Moody have kept clear of any real trouble and sit in first place regionally in their 1994 Subaru Impreza. With a two and a half minute lead over the next closest regional entry, the pair dominated the regional event, winning all but two stages. “It’s been a pretty smooth day, but we did break a rear strut mount on stage eight,” explained Bis. “Once we saw our lead, we slowed down and took it easy to the end. This was our fifth year here, and we finally have a good result.”

Second in the regional event today is the Toyota MR2 of Jeremy Brown and Simon Branton-Housley. Despite a low ride height that could have been a problem on the rougher stages, the pair is also the fastest two wheel drive car overall today. “This our rookie season, and the first time at this rally,” explained Brown. “Our biggest moment came on stage three. We went off and thought the car was finished, but the car came out ok. If anyone has seen the last part of our exhaust, I’d really like to get that back!”

Just over ten seconds behind Brown and Branton-Housley are Michael Rose and Rebecca Greek in their Subaru Legacy Turbo. “A really trouble free day, with no mechanical problems. We’re really happy that the roads have dried out, and the grip is good,” said Rose. The pair had a close call near a long drop on stage nine today. Rose kept it on the road and kept clean to the end of the day.

Bryan Short and Kim DeMotte lost time on Stage 7. The team apparently had a flat right rear 6 miles into the 12 mile stage. They were able to change the flat at the spectator area but it cost them around 8 minutes. They had been setting competitive stage times all day with fellow Colorado Rally Cup competitors according to co-driver Kim DeMotte. “Now that we are so far behind in the standings we won’t be worrying about times as much and will work on getting more time behind the wheel. This being Bryans first rally the experience will be invaluable” said Kim. The pair sit just ahead of last place with close to a three minute lead over the Merkur XR4TI of Grant Hughes and Scott McCarty.

Hudspeth and O’Hanlon ended their day early with a blown head gasket on their Eagle Talon, but are working away to repair the car in preparation for the regional rally tomorrow. Alissa Williams and Brittany Kilpatrick are also expected to run the regional event tomorrow, and despite DNFing their very first rally, the pair are all smiles, and are pumped to get back in the car in competition.

Looking to Tomorrow, the sunshine we enjoyed today should return, keeping the roads dry, fast and offering drivers some great conditions to test their mettle over the approximately fifty stage miles in the hills south of Hayden, Colorado tomorrow.