Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally Website
The 1998 Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally, August 27-30, 1998 will be headquartered in Bemidji, Minnesota. The course will travel the scenic and challenging roads of the Paul Bunyan, Two Inlets, Smokey Hills, and White Earth State Forests. The roads vary from twisty, hard surfaces to flat and sandy surfaces. The course is designed to be compact, with a comfortable schedule. We always run on time.
The national course is approximately 350 miles long with 150 stage miles, beginning on Friday and ending at approximately midnight on Saturday. The 10,000 Lakes Divisional will run on Friday as a coefficient 2 rally with 45 stage miles and approximately 150 total miles. Paul Bunyan's Ride Divisional on Saturday will be a coefficient 3 rally with 90 stage miles in approximately 200 total miles. The National counts toward the SCCA/Michelin PRO Rally championship and the North American Rally Championship.
In addition to the Divisional PRO Rallies, this year we will be conducting a Rally Cross on Thursday evening. Those competitors who are in Bemidji Thursday are welcome to enter.
The tentative event schedule in Bemidji is:
Thursday, August 27 1900 Rally Cross Event
Friday, August 28 0800-1600 Registration
0900-1700 Tech Inspection
1930 National Rally begins
10,000 Lakes Divisional
begins
Saturday, August 29 1100-1200 Divisional Registration &
Tech Inspection
1300 Rally leaves Bemidji
PBR begins
2400 Rally ends
Sunday,August30 0100-0300 Rally Awards Buffet
The entry fees are as follows:
National Nat & I Nat & 2 Fri Div Sat Div
Early Entry
Postmarked by $420.00 $520.00 $620.00 $160.00 $225.00
08/07/97
Regular Entry
Postmarked by $450.00 $550.00 $625.00 $185.00 $240.00
08/21/97
Late Entry
Postmarked after $500.00 $600.00 $675.00 $200.00 $255.00
08/21/97
Rally Cross $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00
Make your check payable to Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally and send it to the registrar with your completed entry form. Entries withdrawn before August 26, 1998, will have their entry fee refunded less a $50.00 administrative fee. Entry fees returned for
stopped payment will be assessed bank charges as well as the administrative fee.
The rally is headquartered at the Northland Inn. Reservations may be made by calling the Northland Inn at (218) 751-9500. Use the reservation code of OPR. Other motels in the area are the Comfort Inn at (218) 751-7700 (use the same reservation code); the Super 8 Motel at (218) 741-8481; and the Days Inn at (218) 751-0390. It is recommended that you call early for reservations.
If you need a co-driver for the event, or, if you will be attending the divisional school, please note this on your registration and call Kerry Freund.
If you would like more information about this event, please contact one of the following people:
Beryl Burton, Chairman Kerry Freund, Registrar Sarah Lenz, Press
Bruce Weinman, Chairman 6039 Vincent Ave. S. 2965 W. Owasso Blvd.
3715 Knox Ave N. Minneapolis, Mn. 55410Roseville, Mn. 55113
Minneapolis, Mn. 55412 (612) 926-1722 (612) 484-0096
(612) 529-6821 CompuServe: 73510,3722 SBL-1949@AOL.COM
CompuServe: 73220,611 KFREUND@ISD.NET
BWEINMAN@PIPER.HAMLINE.EDU
P.S. We greatly appreciated the high percentage of entry forms which were 100% complete last year at registration. Thanks, it helps us speed up registration.
Courtesy of: Jim Konkler
National Entries
Car No./ Driver/ Navigator/ Vehicle/ Seed
Class Home Town Home Town Tires
1 Paul Choiniere Jeff Becker Hyundai Tiburon FIA
Open Shelborne, VT Great Neck, NY Michelin
15 John Buffum Doug Shepherd Hyundai Elantra FIA
Open S Burlington, VT Plymouth, MI Michelin
16 David Summerbell Michel Fennell Mitsubishi EVO IV 1
Open Kingston, Jamaica Kingston, Jamaica Michelin
43 Mike Whitman Paula Gibeault Ford Sierra RS 1
Open Farmington, NM Ridgecrest, CA Michelin
18 Jeffrey Panton John de Mercado Toyota Celica GT 4 1
Open Kingston, Jamaica Kingston, Jamaica Pirelli
10 Cal Landau Eric Marcus Mitsubishi Eclipse 1
PGT Coraopolis, PA Beaver Creek, OH Michelin
19 Tom Ottey Pam McGarvey Mazda 323 GTX 1
PGT Columbus, OH Columbus, OH Michelin
6 Steve Gingras Bill Westrick Eagle Talon 1
PGT Elk River, MN Royal Oak, MI Michelin
11 Ralph Kosmides Joe Noyes Toyota Supra 1
G5 Newport Beach, CA Bothell, WA
20 Mike Hurst Rob Bohn Mazda RX-7 1
G5 Pendleton, IN Noblesville, IN Michelin
22 David White Cindy Krolikowski VW GTI 1
G2 Benicia, CA Wyandotte, MI Michelin
23 Chris Czyzio Eric Carlson Mitsubishi Eclipse 2
PGT Flushing, MI Oregon, WI Michelin
13 Bryan Pepp Jerry Stang Eagle Talon 2
PGT Marquette, MI Marquette, MI Michelin
24 Jim Anderson Martin Dapot Honda Prelude VTEC 2
G5 Dublin, OH Reston, VA Michelin
8 Bill Malik Christian Edstrom Volvo 240 2
G2 Burbank, CA Los Angeles, CA Michelin
117 Ken Stewart Jim Dale Chevy S-10 Pickup 3
Open Grove, OK Conway, AR Michelin
14 Garen Shrader Doc Shrader Ford Sierra 3
Open Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Michelin
35 Lee Shadbolt Paul Eklund Subaru Impreza 3
PGT Tigard, OR Tigard, OR Michelin
25 Gail Truess Pattie Hughes Mazda 323 GTX 3
PGT Brooklyn, MI Columbus, OH Michelin
26 Jay Kowalik Scott Embree Honda Civic CVT 3
P London, OH Dublin, OH Michelin
83 Mark Utecht Douglas, Dill Dodge Omni GLH 4
G5 St. Paul, MN Minneapolis, MN Michelin
27 Mark Larson Tim Winker Eagle Talon 4
PGT Fridley, MN Saginaw, MN Michelin
28 Kendall Russell Lynn Dillon Dodge Shadow 5
PGT Knoxville, TN Indianapolis, IN Michelin
29 Craig Kazmierczak Diane Sargent Mazda RX-7 5
G5 Ann Arbor, MI Saginaw, MN Michelin
30 Mike Bodnar Steve Bodnar Audi Quattro 6
Open Southfield, MI Detroit, MI Michelin
31 Miroslaw Babinski Piotr Modrzejewski Toyota Celica 6
Open Prospect Hts., IL Chicago, IL Michelin
32 Darek Bosek Kazimierz Pudelek Eagle Talon 6
G5 Des Plaines, IL Des Plaines, IL Goodyear
34 Rodney Dean Nichole Hunter Ford Escort 6
G2 Rochester Hills, MI Rochester Hills, MI Goodyear
36 Evan Moen Ron Moen Plymouth Neon 6
P Clarkston, MI Clarkston, MI Michelin
37 Roland McIvor Brendan Bohan Nissan Sentra SER 6
P Bessemer, AL Hopewell Jct, NY
10,000 Lakes Divisional Entries
Car No,/ Driver/ Navigator/ Vehicle/ Seed
Class Home Town Home Town Tires
23 Chris Czyzio Erick Carlson Mitsubishi Eclipse 1
O4 Flushing, MI Oregon, WI Michelin
117 Ken Stewart Jim Dale Chevy S-10 Pickup 2
O4 Grove, OK Conway, AR Michelin
83 Mark Utecht Douglas, Dill Dodge Omni GLH 2
O2 St. Paul, MN Minneapolis, MN Michelin
14 Garen Shrader Doc Shrader Ford Sierra 2
O2 Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Michelin
29 Craig Kazmierczak Diane Sargent Mazda RX-7 2
O2 Ann Arbor, MI Saginaw, MN Michelin
25 Gail Truess Pattie Hughes Mazda 323 GTX 2
U2 Brooklyn, MI Columbus, OH Michelin
39 Wayne Prochaska Annette Prochaska VW Golf 2
U2 Lake Orion, MI Lake Orion, MI Michelin
40 Scott Carlborn Dale Dewald Jeep Comanche 3
O4 Hancock, MI Hancock, MI Michelin
41 Brian Scott Jamie Quaderer Dodge Charger 3
O2 Leonard, MI Leonard, MI Michelin
42 Colin McCleery Jeff Secor Merkur XR4Ti 3
O2 Zeeland, MI Hudsonville, MI Michelin
44 Douglas Davenport Allan Kintigh VW Golf GTI 3
U2 Indianapolis, IN Brooklyn Park MN Michelin
45 John Adleman Jason Lajon VW GTi 3
U2 Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis, MN Michelin
46 Eric Seppanen Scott Thompson Nissan Sentra SE-R 3
U2 Brooklyn Center, MN Minnetonka, MN Bridgestone
48 Jeremy Butts Peter Jacobs Plymouth Arrow 4
O2 Ada, MI Grandville, MI Pirelli
47 J. B. Niday Kathy Freund Ford Escort 4
U2 Richfield, MN Minneapolis, MN
36 Evan Moen Ron Moen Plymouth Neon 4
U2 Clarkston, MI Clarkston, MI Michelin
38 James Buchwitz Charles Rudstrom Mercury Lynx 4
U2 Roseau, MN Side Lake, MN
71 Bryan Hourt Michael Dunn Honda Civic 4
U2 Raymond, OH Marysville, OH Michelin
49 Brett Corneliusen Brenda Corneliusen VW Rabbit 4
U2 Minneapolis, MN Bloomington, MN Nokian
50 Kurt Winkelmann Tom Sherony Suzuki Swift 5
U2 Houghton, MI Marquette, MI
51 John Rek Frank Sprongl Audi Coupe Quattro 6
O2 Chicago, IL Georgetown, ONT Michelin
Paul Bunyan's Ride Divisional Entries
Car No./ Driver/ Navigator/ Vehicle/ Seed
Class Home Town Home Town Tires
23 Chris Czyzio Erick Carlson Mitsubishi Eclipse 1
O4 Flushing, MI Oregon, WI Michelin
117 Ken Stewart Jim Dale Chevy S-10 Pickup 2
O4 Grove, OK Conway, AR Michelin
83 Mark Utecht Douglas Dill Dodge Omni GLH 2
O2 St. Paul, MN Minneapolis, MN Michelin
14 Garen Shrader Doc Shrader Ford Sierra 2
O2 Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Michelin
29 Craig Kazmierczak Diane Sargent Mazda RX-7 2
O2 Ann Arbor, MI Saginaw, MN Michelin
25 Gail Truess Pattie Hughes Mazda 323 GTX 2
U2 Brooklyn, MI Columbus, OH Michelin
39 Wayne Prochaska Annette Prochaska VW Golf 2
U2 Lake Orion, MI Lake Orion, MI Michelin
40 Scott Carlborn Dale Dewald Jeep Comanche 3
O4 Hancock, MI Hancock, MI Michelin
41 Brian Scott Jamie Quaderer Dodge Charger 3
O2 Leonard, MI Leonard, MI Michelin
42 Colin McCleery Jeff Secor Merkur XR4Ti 3
O2 Zeeland, MI Hudsonville, MI Michelin
44 Douglas Davenport Allan Kintigh VW Golf GTI 3
U2 Indianapolis, IN Brooklyn Park MN Michelin
45 Jason Lajon John Adleman VW GTi 3
U2 Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis, MN Michelin
46 Eric Seppanen Scott Thompson Nissan Sentra SE-R 3
U2 Brooklyn Center, MN Minnetonka, MN Bridgestone
48 Jeremy Butts Peter Jacobs Plymouth Arrow 4
O2 Ada, MI Grandville, MI Pirelli
47 J. B. Niday Paul Schwerin Ford Escort 4
U2 Richfield, MN Coon Rapids, MN
36 Evan Moen Ron Moen Plymouth Neon 4
U2 Clarkston, MI Clarkston, MI Michelin
38 James Buchwitz Charles Rudstrom Mercury Lynx 4
U2 Roseau, MN Side Lake, MN
71 Bryan Hourt Michael Dunn Honda Civic 4
U2 Raymond, OH Marysville, OH Michelin
49 Brett Corneliusen Brenda Corneliusen VW Rabbit 4
U2 Minneapolis, MN Bloomington, MN Nokian
50 Kurt Winkelmann Tom Sherony Suzuki Swift 5
U2 Houghton, MI Marquette, MI
51 John Rek Frank Sprongl Audi Coupe Quattro 6
O2 Chicago, IL Georgetown, ONT Michelin
MEDIA_ALERT
Event: Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally - Round #7 of the 1997 Michelin PRO Rally
Championship. Race cars from around the world will compete at high
speeds through the closed forest roads of the White Earth State
Forest, Paul Bunyan State Forest, and Smokey Hills Forest between
Bemidji and Park Rapids, in northern Minnesota.
When: Thursday - Sunday, August 27 - 30, 1998
Schedule:
Thursday, August 27
6:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. !!! Triple Caution RallyCross
Bemidji Speedway to benefit
Muscular Dystrophy
Friday, August 22
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Registration, Northern Inn
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight Press Room, Northern Inn
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Technical Inspection
Chalet Center Car Wash
703 Paul Bunyan Dr.
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Divisional School,
Northern Inn
3:30 p.m. Worker Meeting, Northern Inn
poolside
7:00 p.m. Start - Day #1 - Ojibwe Forests
Nat'l PRO Rally; also, 10,000 Lakes
Divisional event
8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Registration, Northern Inn
Saturday, August 23
12:10 a.m Finish - Day #1 - Ojibwe Forests
PRO Rally
1:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. Party, Northern Inn
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight Press Room
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Technical Inspection and
Registration by Appointment
12:00 noon Start - Day #2 - Ojibwe Forests PRO
Rally; also Paul Bunyan's Ride
Divisional event
10:45 p.m. Finish - Northern Inn
Where: Rally headquarters will be at the Northern Inn, Highway #2,
Bemidji, Minnesota 56601 (218) 751-9500. Press room located in the
University Room, ext. 320.
Duration: 150 stage miles, 415 total miles, 19 stages
Rank: Full National Rally, sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America,
administered by the SCCA PRO Rally Board, and sponsored nationally
by Michelin Tire Company. Presented by the Land O'Lakes Region of
the Sports Car Club of America.
Interviews: Drivers will be available by contacting the press room at the
Northern Inn starting August 27th. Series spokes-people are
also available through the press room including Jamaican
contender David Summerbell, event organizer Beryl Ann Burton,
defending champion Paul Choiniere; Canadian champion Frank
Sprongl, and fastest local driver (from Elk River, formerly
from Duluth) Steve Gingras.
Expected Top National Entries: Paul Choiniere - defending six-time
overall
national champion - in his Hyundai Tiburon, leads series after July win in
Maine; John Buffum, Choiniere's car owner and 11-time national champion,
in
Paul's '96 championship Hyundai Elantra; David Summerbell, from Kingston,
Jamaica, in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV -won in California in May;
Carl Merrill, with Ford Escort Cosworth that produces more than 400 hp
-won
in Minn. in '95; Jeffrey Panton, from Jamaica, in a world-class Toyota
Celica - second in Minn. two years ago in only previous U.S. appearance;
Mike Whitman, top five finisher, in a Ford Sierra Cosworth; Group 5 leader
Ralph Kosmides from California in a new Toyota Twin-turbo Supra -325 hp;
Lee Shadbolt, from Oregon, points leader in his Production GT Subaru
Impreza; Cal Landau, '95 Production GT champion, in a Mitsubishi Eclipse;
Steve Gingras, '97 Production GT champion, in an Eagle Talon (fastest
Minn.
contender -originally from Duluth/now lives in Elk River); Dave White,
from
Benicia, Calif., points leader in his VW GTI; Bill Malik, Volvo 240,
currently 2nd in Group 2; Trevor Donison, from Vancouver, Wash., points
leader in his Production class Plymouth Neon ACR; Jay Kowalik, fastest
Production class entry, in a Honda Civic.
Visuals: There will be escorts to take photographers and
video crews onto the course during the daylight part
of the rally on Friday and Saturday. Anyone requiring
supplied photos or video should contact Andy Schupack in the
press room starting August 27. Rally cars going through mud,
over yumps and rough terrain, and sliding at high speed through
tight turns provide exciting visuals.
Media Info: We will provide phone-ins on event information,
driver interviews, and results. We will fax
stories and agate Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
We have B-roll available for TV. The press room will be
located in the University Room at Northern Inn, Bemidji.
Contact: Andy Schupack - Michelin PRO Rally Championship
media liaison:
(218) 751-9500 or
(800) 667-8485 ext. 320 (direct line -
August 27 - 30)
(401) 739-5677 (before August 27; after
August 30)
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Press Notes #1 - Wednesday, August 26 - 6:00 PM CDT
1. Welcome to Bemidji, Minnesota - located in the northern part of the
state about four hours from Minneapolis and two hours from Duluth - and
the 12th running of the Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally, round #7 of the
Michelin PRO Rally Championship.
Originally, the Ojibwe Forests Rally was run as a local TSD performance
rally in 1981-1983. In 1984 and 1985, it was conducted as a
Coefficient 3 Divisional PRO Rally. Since 1986, the rally has been
conducted as a Sports Car Club of America National PRO Rally and a part
of the North American Rally Championship Series. The name was changed
to Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally in 1992 to avoid any confusion with the
events of the Chippewa Nation in northern Minnesota.
Past Winners - Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
1984 Mark Bowers/John Bell Opel Ascona
1985 Ray Hoeper/Bob Burton Datsun 510
1986 John Buffum/Tom Grimshaw Audi Quattro
1987 John Buffum/Tom Grimshaw Audi Quattro
1988 Paul Choinere/Scott Weinheimer Audi Quattro
1989 Rod Millen/Tony Sircombe Mazda 323GTX
1990 Doug Shepherd/Peter Gladysz Dodge Shadow
1991 Bruno Kreibich/Jeff Becker Audi Quattro
1992 Paul Choinere/Jeff Becker Audi Quattro
1993 Paul Choinere/Jeff Becker Audi Quattro
1994 Paul Choinere/Jeff Becker Audi Quattro
1995 Carl Merrill/John Bellefleur Ford Cosworth Escort
1996 Henry Joy/Michael Fennell Mitsubishi Lancer
1997 Paul Choinere/Jeff Becker Hyundai Tiburon
Paul Bunyan's Ride Divisional PRO Rally has been run since 1989. As a
Coefficient 3 event, it has added national-style competition to the
CenDiv series. 10,000 Lakes was added in 1994, part of a on-going
effort to build new competition within Central Division.
The National route will be about 415 miles long, with 150 stage miles
divided into 19 special stages. The route will travel through the
White Earth, and Paul Bunyan State Forests, as well as Beltrami, Cass,
and Hubbard Counties of northern Minnesota. The road surfaces vary
from sandy and flat to twisty and hard-packed, with the reputation as
the fastest rally roads in the U.S. There are no paved stages.
2. The event will be televised by ESPN2, with executive producer Doug
Plumer and his Replica Productions team here this weekend creating the
show. Airdates will be in late September, but they are not finalized
yet. The next PRO Rally to appear on ESPN2 will be last month's Maine
Forest PRO Rally, for which we have the following airdates:
Tuesday, September 8, at 6:30 PM Eastern
Wednesday, September 9, at 3:30 AM Eastern (repeat)
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Press Notes #2 - Wednesday, August 26 - 8:00 PM CDT
3. This is a privotal event for the overall points battle, with all three
top teams losing valuable opportunities to pull away from the pack.
In the '90's, no one has outperformed seven-time Michelin PRO Rally
Champion Paul Choiniere on the U.S. PRO Rally circuit, yet Choiniere
and co-driver Jeff Becker found themselves in third place at the
season's halfway point.
"Don't blame our Hyundai Tiburon 4WD turbo," said Choiniere, who has
won more U.S. PRO Rallies than anyone else but step-father and team
owner John Buffum. "Everytime we have finished, the Hyundai has taken
us to victory, but we failed to score points in two events, and that
put us behind going in the Maine Rally the beginning of August."
In Pennsylvania in June, Choiniere and Becker were battling the
Jamaican Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV of David Summerbell/Michael
Fennell and the Ford Escort Cosworth of Carl Merrill/Lance Smith for
the lead when the Tiburon hit a stump at 80 mph, breaking a wheel,
flipping several times, and ending up well off the road - finished for
the event.
In California in May, ex-champion Buffum took the wheel to replace
Choiniere as Paul stayed home with the flu, and Buffum was leading when
the rear crossmember broke during the rough Rim of the World event.
But rivals Summerbell and Merrill missed golden opportunities to keep
Choiniere down in the standings by failing to finish at the recent
Maine Forest event. Summerbell, after falling several places in
Pennsylvania when his Lancer ran out of gas, was within 12 seconds of
Choiniere (and the series points lead) going into the last stage in
Maine when he overcooked it on a sweeping turn and ran off the road,
causing a DNF.
Merrill had a shot at the lead in Maine as well, but yanked the
driveshaft out of the transmission after the Escort went airborn and
came down hard on a rock - also a DNF. So far this season, Choiniere
has three victories (Doo Wops and Wild West - both in Washingon State,
and the recent Maine Forest Rally). Summerbell has won one event (Rim
of the World), and Canadians Frank and Dan Sprongl in their Audi
Quattro S-2 - not here this weekend due to sponsorship woes - have the
other victory (the Susquehannock Trail PRO Rally in Pennsylvania).
The only other car with more than one top-five finish is the Mike
Whitman/Paula Gibeault Ford Sierra Cosworth - like Merrill and
Summerbell's racer - a right-hand drive machine. Whitman has three
fifth-place finishes so far this season to put him fourth in the
points.
Right now, Choiniere has 58 points, Merrill 51, and Summerbell 44 -
with both Summerbell and Merrill probably stayg ahead of Paul despite
his Maine victory has they not DNFed.
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Press Notes #3 - Thursday, August 27 - 6:00 AM CDT
4. Many people who read these notes online already know this, but the
Sports Car Club of America has recently changed its web site URL from
<com> to <org>. Thus, PRO Rally information, as well as scores,
updates, membership, or other SCCA material can be found on the SCCA
web site at <www.scca.org/amateur/prorally>.
5. Recent rumours about an FIA Rally event in the U.S. are untrue, and the
organizations that are circulating these rumours have had no contact
with the FIA and are not authorized to deal with the FIA concerning
rally in the U.S. The Sports Car Club of America in the sole agent of
the FIA for rally in the U.S., and can be the only sanctioning body for
any FIA Rally event that would be held here.
To clarify another misunderstanding that seems to be floating around,
neither the Sports Car Club of America or the SCCA PRO Rally Board has
any involvement in the American Rally Sport Group, which has
distributed flyers at recent SCCA PRO Rally events.
Dennis Dean, vice president - rally/solo and club racing, and Kurt
Spitzner - marketing manager, rally/solo, can answer any questions
concerning the above items at (303) 779-6622, or e-mail
<dennis_r_dean@csi.com> for Dennis and <werace4u@aol.com> for Spitzner.
6. In 1998, the Sports Car Club of America has added a new kind of event
called RallyCross. Designed as an introduction to PRO Rally, a
RallyCross is run in a relatively small unpaved area, with the course
defined by pylons. No co-driver is required, and anyone with a
driver's license can compete in a RallyCross. There are classes for
almost every type of car or truck. While the speeds are slower than in
a PRO Rally, RallyCross is a great place to learn the car-handling
skills necessary to driv e fast on an unpaved surface.
Land O'Lakes Region SCCA will be presenting a RallyCross at Bemidji
Speedway (tonight) Thursday August 27, with registration starting at
6:30 PM. While anyone can run, many of the rally drivers will be there
showing their stuff and some of their co-drivers will be there to try to
beat them. Admission is $2.00 to get into the speedway, and $10.00 if
you want to try the course in your car. Radio station KKBJ-FM Mix 103
is sponsoring the event, with all proceeds will go to the Muscular
Dystrophy Association.
7. For those of you who have read the Ojibwe Media Alert posted yesterday,
please note the correct dates on the schedule are Thursday, August 27,
Friday, August 28, and Saturday, August 29 (the posted dates of
August 22, 23, and 24 are obviously incorrect).
8. In some of the other classes, Ralph Kosmides with co-driver Joe Noyes is
the favorite in his factory-sponsored, Group 5 class Toyota Supra twin
turbo after his two West Coast wins and a Maine victory earlier this
month. Challenging Ralph here will be the Mike Hurst/Rob Bohn Mazda
RX-7, and the Mark Utecht/Douglas Dill Dodge Omni GLH turbo. The Jim
Anderson/Martin Dapot Honda Prelude VTEC, the 1996 Production class
champion, has been bumped up to Group 5 by the rules, but doesn't have
enough horsepower to keep up with the leaders.
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Press Notes #4 - Friday, August 29 - 1:00 PM
8. A couple of changes/additions from the last version of the entry list:
--The Gail Truess/Pattie Hughes Mazda 323GTX is in the 04 class in the
divisional events as well as Production GT in the national.
--An additional divisional entry is the U2 Datsun 510 of Alex
Timmermans/John Golden.
--Also entered is the Paul Moorman/Suzanne Wootan Saab Sonnet as a U2
Divisional entry.
--Although Bryan Hourt will drive both sections of the divisionals in
the Honda Research Team's Honda Civic, but Peter Cardimen will co-
drive on Friday night while Michael Dunn will do the honors on
Saturday. Dunn was previously listed as co-driving for both days.
9. One of the best battles for the season points will be played out this
weekend in the overall two-wheel-drive competition, known as the jon
Woodner Cup. In the spirit of Jon Woodner, a PRO Rally driver and
road racer in the 1970s and early 80s who competed successfully in
2WD cars against 4WD competitors, competitors in 2WD cars across all
the classes compete for points awarded by overall finishing
positions. Ralph Kosmides/Joe Noyes might have a big lead in Group
5, but their lead in the Woodner points is only four points. Dave
White's VW GTI is second, with Bill Malik's Volvo 240 third, only
four points behind White.
10. In Group 2, White has a 13-point lead over Malik, with the two cars
having turned similar stage times over the last two years. A victory
by Dave or a DNF by Bill would virtually clinch the class for the
GTI, while a Malik win would mean the championship would go down to
the wire.
11. In the Production class, the Jay Kowalik/Scott Embree Honda Civic has
a chance to catch points lead Trevor Doniso, who did not bring his
Plymouth Neon here from Washington state. As Donison has used
several co-drivers to gain his finishes, none has accumulated enough
points to run for the championship, so Embree has the co-driver lead
at the moment. A Kowalik win will put him only two points behind
Donison, and give Embree a commanding lead in the co-driver's chase.
12. In Production GT, no less than five teams - all of whom are here -
have a shot at the championship, and that doesn't include two other
drivers who could easily score wins here this weekend. Although
the Bryan Pepp/Jerry Stang Eagle Talon and the Chris Czyzio/Eric
Carlson Mitsubishi Eclipse are out of the points chase, both have won
their class at national events, and either could score a win here.
Points leaders Lee Shadbolt/Paul Eklund have a seven-point lead in
their Subaru Impreza over the only two-wheel-drive car in the class -
the Dodge Shadow of Kendall Russell/Lynn Dillon. Both Shadbolt and
Ms. Russell have acculumated their points as a result on no DNFs this
season and consistent, high finishes. The actual favorites this
weekend - all of that said - are old rivals Steve Gingras/Bill
Westrick in their Eagle Talon and Cal Landau/Marcus in their
Mitsubishi Eclipse ('97 and '95 champions respectively). Both need a
win to stay in the points race.
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Press Notes #5 - Friday, August 29 - 7:00 PM
13. The Jeffrey Panton/John de Mercado Toyota Celica GT4, the Jamaican team
which finished second overall here three years ago, will not be at this
event as the car did not make it here from Miami. Word from the team
was that the car was not ready to run.
14. Jeff Becker, 22-year co-driver veteran and six-time national co-driving
champion with Paul Choiniere, has left Minnesota only hours before the
start of the rally to go home to be with his wife Tess, who is in the
hospital with a viral infection. Wayne Brooks, a veteran co-driver
from White Plains, NY, will step into the navigator's seat for
Choiniere. Brooks, who is in Minnesota on vacation with his family,
thought he would come to the rally and work this weekend, and is now
involved in the national points chase we have detailed previously.
He started rallying in 1977 with Mark Everett (designer of the current
series poster), and had actually co-driven for Paul in the '80s.
Although Becker was able to head home from Bemidji on Northwest
Airlines (they wanted to get their plane "home" before the strike), he
had to take TWA through St. Louis to get home to New York. Carl
Merrill had graciously offered the company plane, but Jeff held that
offer in reserve only if he got stuck due to the strike.
15. 45 cars will start the 12th running of the Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally.
The cars will running five stages through the White Earth State Forest
southwest of Bemidji.
16. In last night's Triple Caution Rally X at Bemidji Speedway's 1/4-mile
oval to benefit Muscular Dystrophy, divisional co-driver Al Kintigh,
from Brooklyn Park, Minn., borrowed J.B. Niday's Ford Escort and smoked
the field with a time of 47.75 seconds (and no penalty cones). Doug
Davenport, Kintigh's driver for the Ojibwe Forests event, had a time
of 48.78, but hit three cones for an adjusted time of 54.78. Honda
Civic driver Jay Kowalik was second with a time of 49.28, while Mark
Utecht, the reigning Divisional national champion was third with a time
of 49.69. Utecht toured the short course in 45.69, but hit two cones.
an afternoon downpour left the course muddy, and the early 4WD
competitors could not handle or brake on the course.
46 cars entered the event, with local residents joining rallyists to
pay the $10.00 entry fee to benefit MDA. KKBJ-FM Mix 103 in Bemidji
helped promote the rallycross, which raised more than $500 for the
charity. Michelin will also give away a set of tires as a result of
MDA raffle tickets sold at the track and elsewhere. All the recorded
time will be posted.
17. David Summerbell, who has won one rally (Rim) and finished third in
another (Wild West), started rallying in his native Jamaica after doing
motocross and road racing. His competitive career started at the age
of eight in swimming. Fellow Jamaican Peter Moodie got him into rally,
and he hopes to drive in FIA World Rally Championship. Summerbell, 28
years-old, has worked with Murray Thomas' T.A.D. Motorsports to upgrade
the stock Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV with a larger fuel tank, the latest
GAB suspension, and more boost since the car's debut in April.
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Press Notes #6 - Friday, August 29 - 8:00 PM
19. Triple Caution Rally X - Bemidji Speedway - Official Times
Class Car Entrant 1st Pylons Total 2nd Pylons Total
# Run Run
O4 6 Steve Gingras 50.27 3 56.27 50.97 0 50.97
O4 10 Cal Landau 54.24 4 62.24 55.77 1 57.77
04T 00 Jim Anderson 70.77 1 72.77 66.04 7 80.04
04 135 Paul Eklund 53.27 0 53.27 55.53 2 59.53
04T 99 Dan McDonald DNF DNF 59.34 1 61.34
04 91 Peter Winters 68.77 5 78.77 71.41 1 73.41
04 35 Lee Shadbolt 56.16 1 58.16 53.25 1 55.25
04 501 Mike Bodnar 63.10 0 63.1
04 14 Mark Larson 57.21 0 57.21 57.05 0 57.05
O2S 1 Doug Dill 88.99 0 88.99 74.24 0 74.24
04 502 Molly Bodnar 65.11 1 67.11 64.15 0 64.14
02 53 Brett Corneliusen
57.57 0 57.57 56.16 0 56.16
O2P 11 Ralph Kosmedies
71.12 0 71.12
02 32 Jay Kowalik DNF DNF 49.44 1 51.44
02 63 Craig Kazmierczak
60.87 0 60.87 55.08 2 59.08
02 22 Jermey Lind DNF DNF
04 503 Bodnar 60.07 1 62.07 58.56 4 66.56
02 147 Parker 57.96 0 57.96 56.57 1 58.57
02 7 John Niemi 61.57 0 61.57 53.93 0 53.93
02 77 Bryan Hourt 53.07 0 53.07 47.58 2 51.58
02 11 Kerry Freund 73.72 1 75.72 61.63 0 61.63
02 Joe Noyes DNF DNF
02 23 Checkers the Pit clown
56.58 0 56.58 54.21 1 56.21
02 83 Joe Ebberts 56.61 0 56.61 57.87 0 57.87
02 89 Stuart Lenz 70.79 0 70.79 58.71 1 60.71
02 191 Bob Carter 92.52 6 104.52
02 28 Ron Hirabayashi
56.88 2 60.88 DNF
02 62 Doug Davenport 58.77 0 58.77 48.78 3 54.78
02 122 Jared Kemp 67.76 0 67.76 61.65 0 61.65
02 83 Mark Utecht 51.96 5 61.96 45.69 2 49.69
02 173 Curt Mueller 63.67 0 63.67 62.55 1 64.55
02 37 65.85 0 65.85
02 47 J. B. Niday 54.18 0 54.18 50.04 0 50.04
02 9 Tim Winker 58.08 2 62.08 50.10 0 50.10
02 38 Jim Buchwitz 60.40 1 62.40 56.95 0 56.95
02 Jacob Heinz 59.25 0 59.25 52.32 4 60.32
02 471 Al Kintigh 57.49 1 59.49 47.75 0 47.75
02 Roland McIvor 53.40 1 55.40 50.54 0 50.54
02 504 Bodnar 55.56 1 57.56 DNF DNF
02 69 Jerry Winker 52.70 0 52.70 53.76 0 53.76
02 22 71.80 0 71.80
02 178 Allan Plantikow
64.34 2 68.34 54.06 0 54.06
02 177 61.59 1 63.59 53.36 0 53.36
02 17 Mark McNamara DNF DNF
02 12 Jim Dale 55.35 0 55.35 52.52 0 52.52
02 132 Jay Kowalik 51.62 2 55.62 47.28 1 49.28
02 Glen Mazzone DNF DNF DNF DNF
1998 Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Final Entry List/Start Order
National Entries
Car No./ Driver/ Navigator/ Vehicle/ Seed
Class Home Town Home Town Tires
1 Paul Choiniere Wayne Brooks Hyundai Tiburon FIA
Open Shelborne, VT White Plains, NY Michelin
15 John Buffum Doug Shepherd Hyundai Elantra FIA
Open S Burlington, VT Plymouth, MI Michelin
3 Carl Merrill Lance Smith Ford Escort Cosworth
Open Ogunquit, ME Colchester, VT Michelin FIA
16 David Summerbell Michael Fennell Mitsubishi EVO IV 1
Open Kingston, Jamaica Kingston, Jamaica Michelin
43 Mike Whitman Paula Gibeault Ford Sierra Coswrth 1
Open Farmington, NM Ridgecrest, CA Michelin
10 Cal Landau Eric Marcus Mitsubishi Eclipse 1
PGT Coraopolis, PA Beaver Creek, OH Michelin
33 Tom Ottey Pam McGarvey Mazda 323 GTX 1
PGT Columbus, OH Columbus, OH Michelin
6 Steve Gingras Bill Westrick Eagle Talon 1
PGT Elk River, MN Royal Oak, MI Michelin
11 Ralph Kosmides Joe Noyes Toyota Supra 1
G5 Newport Beach, CA Bothell, WA Michelin
20 Mike Hurst Rob Bohn Mazda RX-7 1
G5 Pendleton, IN Noblesville, IN Michelin
22 David White Cindy Krolikowski VW GTI 1
G2 Benicia, CA Wyandotte, MI Michelin
23 Chris Czyzio Eric Carlson Mitsubishi Eclipse 2
PGT Flushing, MI Oregon, WI Michelin
13 Bryan Pepp Jerry Stang Eagle Talon 2
PGT Marquette, MI Marquette, MI Michelin
24 Jim Anderson Martin Dapot Honda Prelude VTEC 2
G5 Dublin, OH Reston, VA Michelin
8 Bill Malik Christian Edstrom Volvo 240 2
G2 Burbank, CA Los Angeles, CA Michelin
14 Garen Shrader Doc Shrader Ford Sierra 3
Open Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Michelin
117 Ken Stewart Jim Dale Chevy S-10 Pickup 3
Open Grove, OK Conway, AR Michelin
35 Lee Shadbolt Paul Eklund Subaru Impreza 3
PGT Tigard, OR Tigard, OR Michelin
25 Gail Truess Pattie Hughes Mazda 323 GTX 3
PGT Brooklyn, MI Columbus, OH Michelin
26 Jay Kowalik Scott Embree Honda Civic CVT 3
P London, OH Dublin, OH Michelin
83 Mark Utecht Douglas, Dill Dodge Omni GLH 4
G5 St. Paul, MN Minneapolis, MN Michelin
27 Mark Larson Tim Winker Eagle Talon 4
PGT Fridley, MN Saginaw, MN Michelin
28 Kendall Russell Lynn Dillon Dodge Shadow 5
PGT Knoxville, TN Indianapolis, IN Michelin
29 Craig Kazmierczak Diane Sargent Mazda RX-7 5
G5 Ann Arbor, MI Saginaw, MN Michelin
30 Mike Bodnar Steve Bodnar Audi Quattro 6
Open Southfield, MI Detroit, MI Michelin
31 Miroslaw Babinski Piotr Modrzejewski Toyota Celica 6
Open Prospect Hts., IL Chicago, IL Michelin
32 Darek Bosek Kazimierz Pudelek Eagle Talon 6
G5 Des Plaines, IL Des Plaines, IL Goodyear
34 Rodney Dean Nichole Hunter Ford Escort 6
G2 Rochester Hills, MI Rochester Hills, MI Goodyear
36 Evan Moen Ron Moen Plymouth Neon 6
P Clarkston, MI Clarkston, MI Michelin
37 Roland McIvor Brendan Bohan Nissan Sentra SER 6
P Bessemer, AL Hopewell Jct, NY
# # #
10,000 Lakes (Friday) Divisional Entries
Car No,/ Driver/ Navigator/ Vehicle/ Seed
Class Home Town Home Town Tires
23 Chris Czyzio Erick Carlson Mitsubishi Eclipse 1
O4 Flushing, MI Oregon, WI Michelin
117 Ken Stewart Jim Dale Chevy S-10 Pickup 2
O4 Grove, OK Conway, AR Michelin
83 Mark Utecht Douglas, Dill Dodge Omni GLH 2
O2 St. Paul, MN Minneapolis, MN Michelin
14 Garen Shrader Doc Shrader Ford Sierra 2
O2 Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Michelin
29 Craig Kazmierczak Diane Sargent Mazda RX-7 2
O2 Ann Arbor, MI Saginaw, MN Michelin
25 Gail Truess Pattie Hughes Mazda 323 GTX 2
04 Brooklyn, MI Columbus, OH Michelin
39 Wayne Prochaska Annette Prochaska VW Golf 2
U2 Lake Orion, MI Lake Orion, MI Michelin
40 Scott Carlborn Dale Dewald Jeep Comanche 3
O4 Hancock, MI Hancock, MI Michelin
41 Brian Scott Jamie Quaderer Dodge Charger 3
O2 Leonard, MI Leonard, MI Michelin
42 Colin McCleery Jeff Secor Merkur XR4Ti 3
O2 Zeeland, MI Hudsonville, MI Michelin
44 Douglas Davenport Allan Kintigh VW Golf GTI 3
U2 Indianapolis, IN Brooklyn Park MN Michelin
45 John Adleman Jason Lajon VW GTi 3
U2 Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis, MN Michelin
46 Eric Seppanen Scott Thompson Nissan Sentra SE-R 3
U2 Brooklyn Center, MN Minnetonka, MN Bridgestone
48 Jeremy Butts Peter Jacobs Plymouth Arrow 4
O2 Ada, MI Grandville, MI Pirelli
47 J. B. Niday Kathy Freund Ford Escort 4
U2 Richfield, MN Minneapolis, MN
36 Evan Moen Ron Moen Plymouth Neon 4
U2 Clarkston, MI Clarkston, MI Michelin
38 James Buchwitz Charles Rudstrom Mercury Lynx 4
U2 Roseau, MN Side Lake, MN
77 Bryan Hourt Peter Cardimen Honda Civic 4
U2 Raymond, OH Marysville, OH Michelin
49 Brett Corneliusen Brenda Corneliusen VW Rabbit 4
U2 Minneapolis, MN Bloomington, MN Nokia
51 Paul Moorman Suzanne Wootan Saab Sonnet 5
02 Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis, MN Michelin
50 Kurt Winkelmann Tom Sherony Suzuki Swift 5
U2 Houghton, MI Marquette, MI
52 Alex Timmermans John Golden Datsun 510 6
Greenwood, IN Lakewood, CO Michelin
# # #
Paul Bunyan's Ride (Saturday) Divisional Entries
Car No./ Driver/ Navigator/ Vehicle/ Seed
Class Home Town Home Town Tires
23 Chris Czyzio Erick Carlson Mitsubishi Eclipse 1
O4 Flushing, MI Oregon, WI Michelin
117 Ken Stewart Jim Dale Chevy S-10 Pickup 2
O4 Grove, OK Conway, AR Michelin
83 Mark Utecht Douglas Dill Dodge Omni GLH 2
O2 St. Paul, MN Minneapolis, MN Michelin
14 Garen Shrader Doc Shrader Ford Sierra 2
O2 Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Michelin
29 Craig Kazmierczak Diane Sargent Mazda RX-7 2
O2 Ann Arbor, MI Saginaw, MN Michelin
25 Gail Truess Pattie Hughes Mazda 323 GTX 2
04 Brooklyn, MI Columbus, OH Michelin
39 Wayne Prochaska Annette Prochaska VW Golf 2
U2 Lake Orion, MI Lake Orion, MI Michelin
40 Scott Carlborn Dale Dewald Jeep Comanche 3
O4 Hancock, MI Hancock, MI Michelin
41 Brian Scott Jamie Quaderer Dodge Charger 3
O2 Leonard, MI Leonard, MI Michelin
42 Colin McCleery Jeff Secor Merkur XR4Ti 3
O2 Zeeland, MI Hudsonville, MI Michelin
44 Douglas Davenport Allan Kintigh VW Golf GTI 3
U2 Indianapolis, IN Brooklyn Park MN Michelin
45 Jason Lajon John Adleman VW GTi 3
U2 Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis, MN Michelin
46 Eric Seppanen Scott Thompson Nissan Sentra SE-R 3
U2 Brooklyn Center, MN Minnetonka, MN Bridgestone
48 Jeremy Butts Peter Jacobs Plymouth Arrow 4
O2 Ada, MI Grandville, MI Pirelli
47 J. B. Niday Paul Schwerin Ford Escort 4
U2 Richfield, MN Coon Rapids, MN
36 Evan Moen Ron Moen Plymouth Neon 4
U2 Clarkston, MI Clarkston, MI Michelin
38 James Buchwitz Charles Rudstrom Mercury Lynx 4
U2 Roseau, MN Side Lake, MN
77 Bryan Hourt Michael Dunn Honda Civic 4
U2 Raymond, OH Marysville, OH Michelin
49 Brett Corneliusen Brenda Corneliusen VW Rabbit 4
U2 Minneapolis, MN Bloomington, MN Nokian
51 Paul Moorman Suzanne Wootan Saab Sonnet 5
02 Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis, MN Michelin
50 Kurt Winkelmann Tom Sherony Suzuki Swift 5
U2 Houghton, MI Marquette, MI
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Press Notes #7 - Friday, August 29 - 10:00 PM
20. After the first several stages - and we won't get full details until
the drivers come back in for the evening - there are top runners that
have run into problems:
--The Paul Choiniere/Wayne Brooks Hyundai Tiburon is out of the event,
losing an alternator belt only five miles into stage #1. If either
Merrill or Summerbell finish first or second, they will pass Paul
in the points.
--The Garen Shrader/Doc Shrader Ford Sierra Cosworth brought their car
to the beginning of stage #2, but was unable to start the stage
(mechanical).
--The Tom Ottey/Pam McGarvey Mazda 323GTX are also a DNF, with
the rally car needing a tow 1/2-mile into stage #2. The car was
able to continue, only to DNF after going off on stage #3.
--The Ken Stewart/Jim Dale Chevy S-10 was seen off the road with
its lights pointing back towards rally traffic on stage #2. No word
on whether the car was able to continue.
--The Mark Utecht/Douglas Dill Dodge Omni GLH withdrew from the event
after stage #3 with a broken strut tower.
--The Saab Sonnet of Paul Moorman/Suzanne Wootan broke its rear
suspension, and needed to be trailered out of the stage as it could
not be towed.
21. The Ralph Kosmides/Joe Noyes Toyota Supra twin-turbo received a boost
this week from Chester Berg Toyota in Bemidji. The dealership gave
the team service bay space and manpower help to prepare for the event
this week.
22. More news from the field - the following cars are reported out of the
event as of stage #3:
--The Mark Larson/Tim Winker Eagle Talon; the Mike Bodnar/Steve Bodnar
Audi Quattro; and the Craig Kazmierczak/Diane Sargent Mazda RX-7
are all DNFs - explanations to come. A side note: Larson/Winker
entered the divisionals just before registration closed, so they,
along with any other divisional entries, can run tomorrow in the
second divisional if they can fix the car overnight.
--The Bryan Pepp/Jerry Stang Eagle Talon is a mechanical DNF.
23. 35 cars are running as the rally entered stage #4.
24. We will be publishing a separate set of divisional
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Press Notes #8 - Saturday, August 29 - 7:00 AM
25. After the first night - five stages, the John Buffum/Doug Shepherd
Hyundai Elantra has a 1:52 lead over the Carl Merrill/Lance Smith Ford
Escort Cosworth. Merrill's car ran well despite a leaky radiator
caused by an errant stone on stage #2. The David Summerbell/Michael
Fennell Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV is third, 1:34 behind Merrill. The
T.A.D. Motorsports crew will work on Summerbell's car overnight to try
to improve on horsepower output.
In the classes, the Steve Gingras/Bill Westrick Eagle Talon leads
Production GT by 1:06, but all is not well in Act II Popcornland.
The main bearing on the driveshaft end is shot, and the crew will be
installing a borrowed part from the Mark Larson Talon (a DNF with
engine problems because of a broken thermostat) overnight. The Gail
Truess/Pattie Hughes Mazda 323GTX, which won the 10,000 Lakes
Divisional event, is third in PGT, followed by the Chris Czyzio/Eric
Carlson Mitsubishi Eclipse.
The Group 5 battle is down to two cars with the Utecht DNF, and it's
Kosmides/Noyes in the Toyota Supra over Hurst/Bohn's Mazda RX-7 by a
mere six seconds. Bill Malik/Christian Edstrom is seven minutes ahead
in his Volvo 240 in Group 2 after the Dave White/Cindy Krolikowski VW
GTI went off the road (details to come). In Production, the favored
Honda Civic of Jay Kowalik/Scott Embree has a two minute lead over the
Plymouth Neon of Evan and Ron Moen.
26. The Mike Whitman/Paula Gibeault Ford Sierra Cosworth lost tons of time
on stage three with a mysterious electrical problem which turned out
to be a broken fuel pump fuse. They fixed that problem, but are
worried as the car is blowing other fuses.
27. The Craig Kazmierczak/Diane Sargent Mazda RX-7 DNF was caused by
wiring problems. Craig did some re-wiring on the stages, but the car
finally died after service on #3.
28. Kosmides ran a poor stage #3, missing a turn and having to back up,
and having mis-aimed lights that made him slow down on the long 15-
mile road.
29. The Bodnar/Bodnar Audi DNF was caused by co-driver Steven's car
sickness. They will try to run again today in the Paul Bunyan's Ride
divisional.
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Press Notes #9 - Saturday, August 29 - 10:00 AM
25. 10,000 LAKES DIVISIONAL RESULTS - FRIDAY
CAR
# (DRIVER/CO-DRIVER) CAR SEED SCORE PLACE CLASS
25 Gail Truess/Pattie Hughes Mazda 323 2 1:02:16 1 4WD
23 Chris Czyzio/Eric Carlson Eclipse 1 1:02:27 2 4WD
39 W Prochaska/A Prochaska VW Golf 2 1:04:01 1 U2
36 Evan Moen/Ron Moen Ply Neon 4 1:04:41 2 U2
44 Doug Davenport/Al Kintigh VW Golf GT 3 1:05:14 3 U2
48 Jeremy Butts/Peter Jacobs Ply Arrow 4 1:05:48 1 O2
42 Colin McCleery/Jeff Secor Merkur XR4 3 1:06:47 2 O2
77 Bryan Hourt/P Cardimen Honda Civi 4 1:06:56 4 U2
40 Scott Carlborn/D Dewald Comanche 3 1:08:24 3 4WD
41 Brian Scott/J Quaderer Charger 3 1:10:12 3 O2
45 John Adleman/Jason Lajon VW GTi 3 1:10:26 5 U2
47 J. B. Niday/Kathy Freund Fiesta 4 1:12:54 6 U2
38 James Buchwitz/C Rudstrom Mer Lynx 4 1:12:57 7 U2
50 Kurt Winkelmann/T Sherony Swift 5 1:13:53 8 U2
46 Eric Seppanen/S Thompson Sentra SER 3 1:15:31 9 U2
49 B Corneliusen/B CorneliusenVW Rabbit 4 1:16:20 10 U2
52 Alex Timmermans/J Golden Datsun 510 6 1:19:33 11 U2
117 Ken Stewart/Jim Dale Chevy S-10 2 DNF
83 Mark Utecht/Doug Dill Omni GLH 2 DNF
14 Garen Shrader/Doc Shrader Sierra 2 DNF
29 C Kazmierczak/D Sargent Mazda RX-7 2 DNF
51 Paul Moorman/S Wotton Sonett 6 DNF
27 Mark Larson/Tim Winker Talon 2 DNF
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Press Notes #10 - Saturday, August 29 - 10:30 AM
26. National Results after five stages:
CAR
# DRIVER/CO-DRIVER CAR SEED SCORE POSITION/CLASS
15 John Buffum/Doug Shepherd Elantra 0 53:36 2 Open
3 Carl Merrill/Lance Smith Escort 0 55:28 3 Open
16 D Summerbell/M Fennell Mit EVO IV 1 57:02 4 Open
6 Steve Gingras/B Westrick Talon 1 58:33 1 GT
10 Cal Landau/Eric Marcus Eclipse 1 59:27 2 GT
8 Bill Malik/C Edstrom Volvo 240 2 1:01:18 1 Group 2
11 Ralph Kosmides/Joe Noyes Supra 1 1:01:25 1 Group 5
20 Mike Hurst/Rob Bohn Mazda RX-7 1 1:01:31 2 Group 5
25 Gail Truess/Pattie Hughes Mazda 323 3 1:02:16 3 GT
23 Chris Czyzio/Eric Carlson Eclipse 2 1:02:27 4 GT
26 Jay Kowalik/Scott Embree Civic CVT 3 1:02:49 1 Production
36 Evan Moen/Ron Moen Ply Neon 6 1:04:41 2 Production
24 Jim Anderson/Martin Dapot Prelude VT 2 1:05:10 3 Group 5
32 Darek Bosek/K Pudelek Talon 6 1:07:03 4 Group 5
35 Lee Shadbolt/Paul Eklund Impreza 3 1:07:07 5 GT
43 Mike Whitman/P Gibeault Ford Sierr 1 1:07:07* 5 Open
28 Kendall Russell/L Dillon Shadow 5 1:07:39 6 GT
22 David White/C Krolikowski VW GTi 1 1:10:24* 2 Group 2
37 Roland McIvor/B Bohan Sentra Ser 6 1:12:15 3 Production
31 M Babinski/P Modrzejewski Celica 6 1:13:51 6 Open
34 Rodney Dean/N Hunter Escort 6 1:23:30 3 Group 2
1 Paul Choiniere/W Brooks Tiburon 0 DNF Alt. Belt
33 Tom Ottey/Pam McGarvey Mazda 323 1 DNF Engine
13 Brian Pepp/Jerry Stang Talon 2 DNF Master Cyl.
117 Ken Stewart/Jim Dale Chevy S-10 3 DNF Crash
14 Garen Shrader/Doc Shrader Sierra 3 DNF Mechanical
83 Mark Utecht/Doug Dill Omni GLH 4 DNF Strut tower
27 Mark Larson/Tim Winker Talon 4 DNF Thermostat
29 C Kazmierczak/D Sargent Mazda RX-7 5 DNF Electical
30 Mike Bodnar/Steve Bodnar Audi Quatt 6 DNF Ill co-drv.
*includes two minutes in road points for transit traffic violations
# # #
OJIBWE FORESTS PRO RALLY - National stage times
Stage #1 Stage #1 Stage #1 Stage #1 Stage #1
P.Choi 0 P.Choi 0 P.Choi 0 P.Choi 0 P.Choi 0
J.Buff 901 J.Buff 949 J.Buff 1610 J.Buff 957 J.Buff 944
C.Merr 957 C.Merr 975 C.Merr 1636 C.Merr 982 C.Merr 998
D.Summ 994 D.Summ 995 D.Summ 1715 D.Summ 997 D.Summ 1003
M.Whit 1003 S.Ging 1025 D.Bose 1738 S.Ging 1026 S.Ging 1042
S.Ging 1014 M.Whit 1029 S.Ging 1748 M.Whit 1038 C.Land 1045
C.Land 1019 C.Land 1033 M.Utec 1766 C.Land 1047 M.Whit 1086
B.Pepp 1032 M.Utec 1034 C.Land 1802 B.Mali 1056 R.Kosm 1098
R.Kosm 1041 R.Kosm 1047 M.Hurs 1819 R.Kosm 1075 G.True 1098
D.Whit 1054 M.Hurs 1058 B.Mali 1819 J.Kowa 1078 B.Mali 1105
G.True 1070 C.Czyz 1072 C.Czyz 1833 M.Hurs 1086 M.Hurs 1115
M.Hurs 1075 B.Mali 1073 G.True 1858 C.Czyz 1092 D.Whit 1130
C.Czyz 1076 E.Moen 1092 J.Kowa 1877 G.True 1099 J.Kowa 1134
B.Mali 1078 M.Bodn 1096 R.Kosm 1882 D.Whit 1109 J.Ande 1158
M.Utec 1088 J.Kowa 1098 E.Moen 1921 J.Ande 1121 C.Czyz 1173
M.Lars 1093 G.True 1103 J.Ande 1940 E.Moen 1121 E.Moen 1189
J.Kowa 1096 M.Lars 1116 L.Shad 1998 L.Shad 1167 L.Shad 1202
M.Bodn 1124 J.Ande 1130 K.Russ 2007 R.McIv 1173 K.Russ 1232
E.Moen 1146 L.Shad 1136 R.McIv 2055 K.Russ 1178 D.Bose 1256
J.Ande 1169 K.Russ 1151 M.Lars 2086 M.Babi 1225 R.McIv 1256
R.McIv 1197 C.Kazm 1160 R.Dean 2173 R.Dean 1273 M.Babi 1282
K.Russ 1198 D.Bose 1175 M.Babi 2191 D.Bose 1295 R.Dean 2259
L.Shad 1210 D.Whit 1204 D.Whit 2343
C.Kazm 1215 B.Pepp 1252 M.Whit 2356
D.Bose 1241 R.Dean 1296 B.Pepp 2786
R.Dean 1349 M.Babi 1302
M.Babi 1385 R.McIv 1545
10,000 LAKES DIVISIONAL STAGE TIMES (FRIDAY)
STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3 STAGE 4 STAGE 5
G.True 1070 M.Utec 1034 M.Utec 1766 C.Czyz 1092 G.True 1098
C.Czyz 1076 C.Czyz 1072 W.Proc 1821 G.True 1099 J.Butt 1130
B.Scot 1076 E.Moen 1092 C.Czyz 1833 W.Proc 1119 D.Dave 1143
M.Utec 1088 G.True 1103 G.True 1858 E.Moen 1121 A.Timm 1150
M.Lars 1093 W.Proc 1108 E.Moen 1921 D.Dave 1128 W.Proc 1168
E.Moen 1146 M.Lars 1116 J.Butt 1939 A.Timm 1141 C.Czyz 1173
D.Dave 1174 B.Scot 1126 D.Dave 1949 J.Butt 1169 E.Moen 1189
C.McCl 1175 D.Dave 1130 S.Carl 1960 B.Scot 1171 C.McCl 1200
B.Hour 1182 B.Hour 1143 B.Hour 1960 C.McCl 1184 B.Hour 1204
A.Timm 1185 J.Butt 1144 C.McCl 1969 B.Hour 1205 S.Carl 1215
W.Proc 1186 A.Timm 1145 J.Adle 2037 J.Adle 1208 J.Adle 1259
J.Butt 1198 C.McCl 1151 M.Lars 2086 S.Carl 1215 J.Buch 1259
C.Kazm 1215 C.Kazm 1160 J.B. N 2132 J.Buch 1237 K.Wink 1262
S.Carl 1260 S.Carl 1191 K.Wink 2155 J.B. N 1245 B.Scot 1305
J.Adle 1319 J.Adle 1221 E.Sepp 2193 K.Wink 1282 J.B. N 1311
J.Buch 1321 J.B. N 1236 J.Buch 2205 B.Corn 1292 B.Corn 1370
E.Sepp 1351 J.Buch 1273 B.Corn 2254 E.Sepp 1339 E.Sepp 1382
J.B. N 1367 E.Sepp 1287 B.Scot 2342
K.Wink 1398 K.Wink 1292 A.Timm 3334
B.Corn 1408 B.Corn 1310
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Press Notes #11 - Saturday, August 29 - 9:00 PM
30. With only hours left in the 12th running of the Ojibwe Forests PRO
Rally, it looks like the vintage rally drivers in the field - 11-time
national champion John Buffum, and his co-driver for four of those
years in the 70s and 80s - Doug Shepherd, will score the overall
victory in a four-wheel-drive Hyundai Elantra.
Although Buffum and Shepherd won the championship together in 1978,
1980, 1982 and 1983, they had never driven together in Minnesota as
Ojibwe became a national PRO Rally in 1986.
After 12 of the 17 stages completed, the veteran rally pair had a three
minute lead over Carl Merrill and Lance Smith in the 400-hp Ford Escort
Cosworth. In third place, another minute-and-a-half back is the
Jamaican team of David Summerbell and co-driver Michael Fennell.
In the other classes, the Steve Gingras/Bill Westrick Eagle Talon has a
40-second lead over the Cal Landau/Eric Marcus Mitsubishi Eclipse in
Production GT; Bill Malik/Christian Edstrom have a seven-minute in the
Volvo 240 in Group 2; Mike Hurst/Rob Bohn have the Group 5 lead in
their Mazda RX-7; and Jay Kowalik/Scott Embree Honda Civic leads
Production.
Of the original 45 starters on Friday evening, 29 cars were running
near the rally's end.
31. The first incident of day occured on stage #8, where the Ralph
Kosmides/Joe Noyes Toyota Supra dove over the banking right at the end
of the stage. Ralph completed the stage, and lost control of the car
right after the flying finish. After nearly getting hit by the Chris
Czyzio/Eric Carlson Mitsubishi Eclipse, Kosmides got back on the road
courtesy of a Scott Carlborn tow, but lost six minutes in road
penalties.
32. At the Park Rapids service after stage #8, Mark Utecht, while taking
off the cylinder head to check for engine trouble, found a holed-piston
in his Dodge Omni GLH turbo, and DNFed for the second day in a row,
33. Also a DNF for the second day in a row is the Mike Bodnar/D.J. Bodnar
Audi Quattro, which was mysteriously down on power.
34. After fixing their fuel pump fuse last night, the Mike Whitman/Paula
Gibeault Ford Sierra Cosworth experienced unrelated fuel pump problems
Saturday, and retired after stage #11.
35. The J.B. Niday/Paul Schwerin Ford Festiva is also a DNF, victim of
overheating.
36. The Brian Scott/Jamie Quaderer Dodge Charger rolled on stage #11,
putting the car out of the event with Jamie requiring medical attention
at the scene.
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Press Notes #12 - Sunday, August 30 - 12:10 AM
37. The 12th running of the Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally is now history, and
the John Buffum/Doug Shepherd Hyundai Elantra dominated the event with
a five-minute victory over the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV of David
Summerbell/Michael Fennell. Buffum built up his lead steadily all
day, and was never threatened.
Third and fourth overall went the veteran Production GT combatants
Steve Gingras/Bill Westrick in their Eagle Talon and Cal Landau/Eric
Marcus Mitsubishi Eclipse. This battle for class was close for most
of the day until Landau's car developed alternator problems, and Steve
pulled away to a three-minute win.
The Carl Merrill/Lance Smith Ford Escort Cosworth was headed for a
second overall finish and a chance to lead the championship points,
but late turbo problems lead to 20 minutes in penalty points and a
disappointing 12th place finish.
Bill Malik/Christian Edstrom drove their best rally of the year to
score much needed points in both Group 2 and the Jon Woodner Trophy in
his Volvo 240. With the Dave White/Cindy Krolikowski VW GTI have
problems on Friday night, Malik had a 10-minute lead in Group 2, but
did not give up an inch to finish with a 10-minute win and a fifth-
place overall finish.
In the other classes, Jay Kowalik/Scott Embree Honda Civic CVT scored
its third straight win in Production; and Mike Hurst/Rob Bohn overcame
a faulty clutch in their Mazda RX-7 to score a Group 5 win over the
Jim Anderson/Martin Depot Honda Prelude VTEC.
The last stage of the rally was cancelled when the Hubbard County
Sheriff requested that the organizers not race on the roads while the
police looked for a lost local child. The rally transited through the
last stage, and we are happy to report the child was found later.
The point standings for overall now look like this:
David Summerbell - 61
Paul Choiniere - 60
Carl Merrill - 54
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Press Notes #13 - Sunday, August 30 - 12:45 AM
NATIONAL RESULTS
CAR
# (DRIVER/CO-DRIVER) CAR SEED SCORE Place/Class
15 John Buffum/Doug Shepherd Elantra 0 2:25:36 1 Open
16 D Summerbell/M Fennell Mit EVO IV 1 2:30:39 2 Open
6 Steve Gingras/B Westrick Talon 1 2:34:33 1 GT
10 Cal Landau/Eric Marcus Eclipse 1 2:38:06 2 GT
8 Bill Malik/C Edstrom Volvo 240 2 2:41:24 1 Group 2
23 Chris Czyzio/Eric Carlson Eclipse 2 2:42:58 3 GT
25 Gail Truess/Pattie Hughes Mazda 323 3 2:44:13 4 GT
26 Jay Kowalik/Scott Embree Civic CVT 3 2:45:31 1 Production
20 Mike Hurst/Rob Bohn Mazda RX-7 1 2:45:57 1 Group 5
24 Jim Anderson/Martin Dapot Prelude VT 2 2:48:04 2 Group 5
11 Ralph Kosmides/Joe Noyes Supra 1 2:48:12 3 Group 5
3 Carl Merrill/Lance Smith Escort 0 2:50:32 3 Open
36 Evan Moen/Ron Moen Ply Neon 6 2:51:38 2 Production
22 David White/C Krolikowski VW GTi 1 2:51:59 2 Group 2
35 Lee Shadbolt/Paul Eklund Impreza 3 2:53:04 5 GT
32 Darek Bosek/K Pudelek Talon 6 2:58:25 4 Group 5
28 Kendall Russell/L Dillon Shadow 5 3:02:30 6 GT
31 M Babinski/P Modrzejewski Celica 6 3:04:48 4 Open
37 Roland McIvor/B Bohan Sentra Ser 6 3:04:57 3 Production
1 Paul Choiniere/W Brooks Tiburon 0 DNF Alt. Belt
43 Mike Whitman/P Gibeault Ford Sierr 1 DNF Fuel Pump
33 Tom Ottey/Pam McGarvey Mazda 323 1 DNF Engine
13 Brian Pepp/Jerry Stang Talon 2 DNF Brakes
117 Ken Stewart/Jim Dale Chevy S-10 3 DNF Crash
14 Garen Shrader/Doc Shrader Sierra 3 DNF Driveshaft
83 Mark Utecht/Doug Dill Omni GLH 4 DNF Strut tower
27 Mark Larson/Tim Winker Talon 4 DNF Thermostat
29 C Kazmierczak/D Sargent Mazda RX-7 5 DNF Wiring
30 Mike Bodnar/Steve Bodnar Audi Quatt 6 DNF Illness
34 Rodney Dean/N Hunter Escort 6 DNF Rollover
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally
Round #7 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Bemidji, Minnesota
Press Notes #14 - Sunday, August 30 - 12:45 AM
Paul Bunyan's Ride - Divisional Results
CAR
# (DRIVER/CO-DRIVER) CAR SEED SCORE
13 Brian Pepp/Jerry Stang Talon 1 1:12:14 1 4WD
23 Chris Czyzio/Eric Carlson Eclipse 1 1:12:28 2 4WD
25 Gail Truess/Pattie Hughes Mazda 323 2 1:13:27 3 4WD
39 W Prochaska/A Prochaska VW Golf 2 1:14:31 1 U2
44 Doug Davenport/Al Kintigh VW Golf GT 3 1:15:42 2 U2
29 C Kazmierczak/D Sargent Mazda RX-7 2 1:16:15 1 O2
52 Alex Timmermans/J Golden Datsun 510 6 1:16:42 3 U2
77 Bryan Hourt/Michael Dunn Honda Civi 4 1:17:04 4 U2
36 Evan Moen/Ron Moen Ply Neon 4 1:17:47 5 U2
42 Colin McCleery/Jeff Secor Merkur XR4 3 1:19:01 2 O2
40 Scott Carlborn/D Dewald Comanche 3 1:21:18 4 4WD
45 Jason Lajon/John Adleman VW GTi 3 1:21:24 6 U2
49 B Corneliusen/B CorneliusenVW Rabbit 4 1:22:16 7 U2
46 Eric Seppanen/S Thompson Sentra SER 3 1:23:27 8 U2
117 Ken Stewart/Jim Dale Chevy S-10 2 DNF
83 Mark Utecht/Doug Dill Omni GLH 2 DNF
14 Garen Shrader/Doc Shrader Sierra 2 DNF
41 Brian Scott/J Quaderer Charger 3 DNF
48 Jeremy Butts/Peter Jacobs Ply Arrow 4 DNF
47 J. B. Niday/Paul Schwerin Fiesta 4 DNF
38 James Buchwitz/C Rudstrom Mer Lynx 4 DNF
50 Kurt Winkelmann/T Sherony Swift 5 DNF
51 Paul Moorman/S Wootton Sonett 6 DNF
27 Mark Larson/Tim Winker Talon 2 DNF
30 Mike Bodnar/D.J.Bodnar DNF
# # #
Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally - National
Stage
CAR DRIVER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
15 J Buffum 901 949 1610 957 944 542 519 447 480
16 D Summer 994 995 1715 997 1003 564 549 453 486
6 S Gingra 1014 1025 1748 1026 1042 581 555 461 511
10 C Landau 1019 1033 1802 1047 1045 584 572 476 508
8 B Malik 1078 1073 1819 1056 1105 593 576 491 527
23 C Czyzio 1076 1072 1833 1092 1173 610 575 484 522
25 G Truess 1070 1103 1858 1099 1098 613 587 506 529
26 J Kowali 1096 1098 1877 1078 1134 637 664 520 543
20 M Hurst 1075 1058 1819 1086 1115 611 608 483 542
24 J Anders 1169 1130 1940 1121 1158 609 598 501 544
11 R Kosmid 1041 1047 1882 1075 1098 590 568 475 520
3 C Merril 957 975 1636 982 998 559 447 552 487
36 E Moen 1146 1092 1921 1121 1189 639 643 546 591
22 D White 1054 1204 2343 1109 1130 614 606 498 529
35 L Shadbo 1210 1136 1998 1167 1202 659 648 522 577
32 D Bosek 1241 1175 1738 1295 1256 664 648 555 590
28 K Russel 1198 1151 2007 1178 1232 665 674 544 589
31 M Babins 1385 1302 2191 1225 1282 649 646 555 606
37 R McIvor 1197 1545 2055 1173 1256 634 638 521 555
1 P Choini
43 M Whitma 1003 1029 2356 1038 1086 569 552 479 495
18 J Panton
33 T Ottey 979 6783
13 B Pepp 1032 1252 2786
117 K Stewar
14 G Shrade
83 M Utecht 1088 1034 1766
27 M Larson 1093 1116 2086
29 C Kazmie 1215 1160
30 M Bodnar 1124 1096
34 R Dean 1349 1296 2173 1273 2259 723 718 576 615
CAR DRIVER 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 TOTAL
15 J Buffum 1231 1145 480 1199 487 1385 1285 0 145.61
16 D Summer 1271 1157 491 1234 474 1378 1304 0 150.65
6 S Gingra 1370 1223 504 1259 490 1371 1275 0 154.55
10 C Landau 1340 1205 502 1291 489 1472 1425 0 158.10
8 B Malik 1376 1245 534 1335 511 1443 1379 0 161.41
23 C Czyzio 1385 1300 539 1324 509 1436 1368 0 162.98
25 G Truess 1430 1307 529 1335 509 1453 1397 0 164.23
26 J Kowali 1415 1290 541 1331 514 1449 1365 0 165.52
20 M Hurst 1394 1480 545 1364 530 1502 1384 0 165.96
24 J Anders 1431 1294 548 1375 517 1501 1372 0 168.08
11 R Kosmid 1387 1270 533 1336 518 1431 1350 700 168.21
3 C Merril 1285 1173 476 1410 538 1350 1229 2000 170.54
36 E Moen 1452 1328 560 1471 549 1508 1408 0 171.64
22 D White 1373 1251 521 1323 524 1514 1406 200 171.99
35 L Shadbo 1446 1314 562 1394 535 1540 1397 0 173.07
32 D Bosek 1571 1381 563 1424 567 1557 1518 100 178.43
28 K Russel 1500 1365 593 1453 714 1727 1560 100 182.50
31 M Babins 1477 1352 580 1435 536 1764 1495 0 184.80
37 R McIvor 1468 1342 566 1427 947 1635 1537 0 184.96
1 P Choini 0 0 0 DNF
43 M Whitma 509 1236 200 DNF
18 J Panton DNF
33 T Ottey DNF
13 B Pepp DNF
117 K Stewar DNF
14 G Shrade DNF
83 M Utecht DNF
27 M Larson DNF
29 C Kazmie DNF
30 M Bodnar DNF
34 R Dean 1563 1394 575 1427 754 0 DNF