TUMWATER. Wash.--After a tight race between John Buffum and Rod Millen in the Nor'wester PRO Rally, everyone knew that the two super stars would go at it long and hard at the Olympus International PRO Rally April 21-22. Through the first nine stages of the 550-mile event. the crowds were not disappointed. At that point Buffum had the lead, as scores between the two were never more than a few hundredths with Millen winning three, Buffum winning three, and three were a tie. Then, on stage nine, Buffum developed engine problems, and his rally was over. Millen's lead was never seriously challenged after that although Bruno Kreibich of Ridgewood, New York put in an excellent showing with his ex-Buffum Quattro to finish second and hold up the honors for Audi. Former British National Champion, Alan Carter of Whittier. California. took home third in his Millen-prepared Mazda RX-7.

In the Standard Production Class, the battle quickly came to Walter Boyce, Ottawa, Ontario (Volkswagen Rabbit GTI). Doug Shepherd, Livonia, Michigan (Dodge) and Guy Light, Midland, Michigan (Oldsmobile). All three were turning times within hundredths of each other, and it was a close race until the eighteenth stage when Light lost a ball joint and retired. Boyce and Shepherd continued to fight it out, and the scoreboard at the finish showed Shepherd a half minute ahead of Boyce. However, in the mandatory inspection of the winning cars after the event, Shepherd's car was disqualified. According to Tom Grimshaw. SCCA PRO Rally Manager. "The disqualification was due to a condition In the engine not in compliance with current Production Class rules." Walter Boyce was declared the winner.

The new GT Production Class attracted three entrants, only one of which survived this grueling rally. John Crawford. Okmulgee, Oklahoma took home the winnings and logged important points for Chrysler in the manufacturers points standings. Others entered the class were Richard Kelsey. Huntington Beach, California who failed to finish after giving his Mazda RX-7 a "pug nose" during an off-road excursion and California Rick Dunham whose suspension problems caused his exclusion due to time bar even though he continued to run to the finish.

The two rallies Included in Rally Week Northwest, Nor'wester and Olympus International drew large crowds in all seven cities they visited and enjoyed excellent community support.

The PRO Rally circus next visits Midland, Michigan on May 5-6 for the Michigan International PRO Rally.

SCCA CONTACT: Tom Grimshaw. PRO Rally Manager, 6750 South Emporia Street, Englewood. Colorado 80112 (303)779-4625