Press Notes
by Ed Jacobs
MEDIA ALERT
Event:
Maine Forest ProRally; Round 6 of the 1999 Michelin SCCA ProRally
Championship. Pro Rally cars from across North America will race on the
demanding forest roads of western Maine -- both in daylight and at
night. Maine Forest ProRally is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of
America (SCCA).
When & where:
July 30-31, 1999; Rumford, Maine
Headquarters:
Madison Hotel; Route 2; Rumford, Maine
Schedule:
Thursday, July 29
9:00-10:00 p.m. Early Registration; Madison Hotel; Rumford, Maine
Friday, July 30
8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Scrutineering; AutoTech; Rumford, Maine
9:00 a.m. Press stage; meet at Madison Hotel; Rumford, Maine
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Registration; Madison Hotel; Rumford, Maine
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Worker Registration; Madison Hotel; Rumford, Maine
1:00 p.m. Worker Meeting; Madison Hotel; Rumford, Maine
1:30 p.m. Parc Expose opens; Rumford, Maine
2:00 p.m. Parc Expose closes; Rumford, Maine
2:30 p.m. First car starts Maine Forest ProRally; Rumford, Maine
11:30 p.m. First car finishes first day of Maine Forest ProRally;
Magalloway
Saturday, July 31
7:30-8:00 a.m. Registration & Scrutineering; Club Rally only; Madison
Hotel; Rumford, Maine
8:00 a.m. Club Rally Seminar (first-time competitors); Madison
Hotel; Rumford, Maine
9:30 a.m. First car restarts Maine Forest ProRally;
Start of Mead Paper ClubRally; Madison Hotel; Rumford, Maine
1:00 p.m. Lunch Break; Oquossoc, Maine
6:30 p.m. First car finishes Maine Forest ProRally; Rumford, Maine
7:00 p.m. Party; Sons of Italy; Rumford, Maine
8:00 p.m. Provisional Scores Posted; Sons of Italy; Rumford, Maine
Format:
Events in the Michelin SCCA ProRally Championship consist of
flat-out racing, in any weather, on challenging forest, mountain or
desert roads. No practice is allowed. Competitors generally see the
course for the first time as they race it. Racing takes place only on
"stages," demanding roads closed by local authorities for the event.
"Transits" connect racing sections and are driven at normal highway
speeds, with teams fully subject to all traffic laws.
ProRally vehicles are production-based cars (and some trucks)
from manufacturers around the world. They compete both for the overall
victory and wins within a class structure that groups together
vehicles with similar performance. Each vehicle carries a driver and a
co-driver/navigator. Using a detailed route book and a sophisticated
rally computer, the co-driver keeps the team on-course and advises the
driver of any hazards ahead. This role is as critical as the driver's
skill, since the team is traveling at full racing speeds over roads
they have never before seen, in any type of weather.
Selected entries (driver/co-driver):
* 1984 World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist and Lance Smith, in an Open
Class Ford Escort Cosworth
* Seven-time US champion Paul Choiniere and multi-time co-driver
champion Jeff Becker, in an Open Class Hyundai Tiburon
* Canadian National champions Frank and Dan Sprongl, in an Open Class
Audi quattro S2
* Overall points leaders Noel Lawler and Charlie Bradley; winners of
Wild West, in another Open Class Hyundai Tiburon
* Rim of the World winners Garen and Doc Shrader; in an Open Class
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV World Rally Championship-type supercar
* Jamaican hotshoe Dean Panton and 1998 co-driver champion Michael
Fennel, in an Open Class Hyundai Elantra
* Sno*Drift Group 5 winners Henry and Cindy Krolikowski, in a Dodge
Shadow
* Midwest Group 5 contenders Jim Anderson and Martin Dapot, in a Honda
Prelude
* Andrew Havas and Scott Slingerland, in a new Group 5 Mazda RX-7
* Susquehannock Trail PGT Class winners Cal Landau and Eric Marcus, in
a Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
* Doo Wop and Wild West PGT Class winner Gail Truess and Pattie
Hughes, in a Mazda 323 GTX
* New England flier Chris Havas and Eric Tremblay, in a six-speed
Group 2 Volkswagen Golf GTI
* Bill Malik and Christian Edstrom, in a Group 2 Volvo 240
* Sno*Drift, Susquehannock Trail and Wild West Production Class
winners Karl Scheible and Gail McGuire, in Volkswagen New Beetle
* Production Class challengers Peter Malaszuk and Darek Szerejko, in a
factory-backed Daewoo Nubira
Additional news interest:
Former World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist will be driving the Ford
Escort Cosworth that belonged to long-time local favorite Carl
Merrill, who passed away from heart failure late last season.
Event rank:
Maine Forest is a full-points round of the Michelin SCCA ProRally
Championship.
Interviews:
Drivers, co-drivers and crewmembers will be accessible throughout much
of the event, especially Friday, July 30, in conjunction with the
press stage.
Visuals:
Prior to the event, media will have the opportunity for exciting video
and photographic action of rally cars at speed during the press stage,
Friday, July 30. During the event, action photography and video will
be possible from special viewing areas set up along the rally course,
as well as other sites.
Media rally-car rides:
Media will be given the opportunity to experience the intense
excitement of Pro Rally cars at speed during the press stage, Friday,
July 30.
Media info:
Media relations will be able to provide driver and co-driver
interviews, event results and other information via telephone, fax and
E-mail.
Contact: Ed Jacobs - Michelin SCCA ProRally Championship
330.644.7774; 330.645.2045 Fax (USA Country Code: 1)
Event press room (July 29-31): 207.369.0403
E-mail: windrivr@ix.netcom.com
Time zone: Eastern Daylight Time
Web sites:
SCCA ProRally: http://www.sccaprorally.org/
Maine Forest ProRally: http://www.rallyracingnews.com/maine/
Maine Forest ProRally
Round 6
1999 Michelin SCCA ProRally Championship
Rumford, Maine
July 30-31, 1999
Press Notes #1
Good morning and welcome to a beautiful, steamy, clear summer day in
the densely wooded mountains of western Maine. In about three hours we
will be getting underway in the Maine Forest ProRally, round 6 of the
Michelin SCCA ProRally Championship.
1.) It appears that we will have the largest field in the series’
recent history. Registration will close shortly, after which we will
post a final starting order. At present it appears that we will have
84-85 cars. However, in addition to having some stellar talent on
hand, there are some significant changes.
2.) Headlining the huge field are several champions. The one
attracting the most attention is 1984 World Rally Champion Stig
Blomqvist, who will be driving the late Carl Merrill’s Ford Escort
Cosworth. This is part of a tribute to Merrill, the beloved Maine
businessman and longtime series frontrunner who called this event his
home rally. Merrill’s former crew chief, Wee Gee Smith, acquired the
car earlier this year. Shortly after that he organized this tribute to
Merrill, who did a great deal to promote the sport -– much of it
behind the scenes and totally anonymously.
3.) Blomqvist will be facing stiff competition, including Canadian
National Champions Frank and Dan Sprongl, who are here with their
flying Audi quattro S2. Current point leaders Noel Lawler and Charlie,
overall winners of the last rally, will have one of the two factory
Hyundai Tiburons that were entered.
4.) Originally, their teammates, seven-time ProRally Champion Paul
Choiniere and Jeff Becker were to have driven the other Tiburon.
However, Choiniere has a viral inner-ear infection that has not
cleared up sufficiently for him to drive. So he was withdrawn.
5.) At that point, defending ProRally Champion David Summerbell was
called in to take his place, in an Elantra, rather than a Tiburon.
However, team owner John Buffum has just indicated that there are
serious problems with the transmission in the Elantra. So Summerbell
may not start the event.
Maine Forest ProRally
Round 6
Michelin SCCA ProRally Championship
July 30-31, 1999
Start Order
Pos Class Seed Car# Driver/Co-Driver Car
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Open F 141 Frank Sprongl/Dan Sprongl Audi quattro S2
2 Open F 2 Noel Lawler/Charlie Bradley Hyundai Tiburon
3 Open F 5 Stig Blomqvist/Lance Smith Ford Escort Cosworth
4 Open 1 80 Jon Kemp/Rod Hendricksen Audi 4000 quattro
5 PGT 1 13 Cal Landau/Eric Marcus Mitsubishi Eclispe GSX
6 PGT 1 16 Gail Truess/Pam McGarvey Mazda 323 GTX
7 Grp 2 1 10 Bill Malik/Christian Edstrom Volvo 240
8 Grp 2 1 142 Jon Nichols/Mike Koch Volkswagen Golf GTI
9 Open 2 120 Dean Panton/Michael Fennel Hyundai Elantra
10 Open 2 14 Garen Schrader/Doc Schrader Mitsubishi Evo IV
11 Open 2 135 Bill Driegert/Claire Chizma Subaru WRX
12 Open 2 20 George Plsek/Renn Phillips Audi Quattro
13 PGT 2 21 Chris Czyzio/Eric Carlson Mitsubishi Eclipse
14 Grp 5 2 44 Henry Krolikowski/Cindy Krolikowski Dodge Shadow
15 Grp 5 2 111 Jim Anderson/Martin Dapot Honda Prelude
16 Grp 5 2 82 Mike Hurst/Rob Bohn Mazda Rx-7
17 Grp 2 2 180 Chris Havas/Eric Tremblay Volkswagen Golf GTi
18 Grp 2 2 108 Gerald Sweet/Stuart Spark SAAB 99 EMS
19 Open 3 179 Demetrios Andreou/John Bellefleur Audi quattro
20 Open 3 99 Sakis Hadjiminas/Brian Maxwell Volkswagen Fox Kit Car
21 Open 3 64 Sylvester Stepniewski/Adam Pelc Audi quattro
22 Open 3 29 Dean Fry/Donald Kennedy Subaru Legacy
23 PGT 3 27 Greg Healey/John MacLeod Subaru Impreza
24 PGT 3 115 Seamus Burke/Mark Williams Mitsubishi Galant VR4
25 Grp 5 3 38 Lesley Suddard/Marc Goldfarb Dodge Charger
26 Prod 3 61 Karl Scheible/Gail McGuire Volkswagen New Beetle
27 Open 4 188 Malachy Crawford/Finian Hannigan Mitsubishi Evo V
28 Open 4 11 Ivan Orisek/Olga Orisek Audi quattro
29 Open 4 116 Thomas Lawless/Brendan Lawless Volkswagen Golf GTi
30 Grp 2 4 71 Bryan Hourt/Peter Cardimen Honda Civic
31 Grp 5 4 121 Mark Bowers/Duffy Bowers Mitsubishi Starion
32 Prod 4 76 Ted Mendham/Lise Mendham Nissan Sentra SE-R
33 Prod 4 73 Nicholas Robinson/Carl Lindquist Honda Civic
34 Prod 4 145 Bruno Laverdiere/Martin Duval Toyota Corolla
35 Prod 4 143 Ilana Rosenshein/Jennifer Cote Suzuki Swift GT
36 Prod 4 119 Peter Malaszuk/Darek Szerejko Daewoo Nubira
37 Open 5 126 Arthur Wojcik/Charles Cox Mitsubishi Galant VR4
38 PGT 5 168 Celsus Donnelly/Kevin Mullan Eagle Talon TSi
39 Open 5 901 Gerry Brinkman/Will Sekella Audi 4000 quattro
40 PGT 5 109 James Frandsen/Todd Bourdette Audi 200
41 PGT 5 70 Kendall Russell/John Dillon Dodge Shadow
42 Grp 2 5 42 Eric Burmeister/Mark Buskirk Volkswagen Golf GTi
43 Grp 2 5 199 Mike White/Mike Ronan SAAB 99 GLI
44 Grp 2 5 129 Scott Kreisler/John Bonasera Nissan 200SX
45 Grp 2 5 146 Walt Kammer/Jackie Adams Datsun 510
46 Grp 2 5 58 Roland McIvor/Richard Adelmann Nissan Sentra SE-R
47 Prod 5 36 Evan Moen/Tom Young Plymouth Neon
48 Open 6 152 Wojciech Hajduczyk/Cezary Fidler Plymouth Laser
49 Open 6 159 Michael ZamikhovskyRon Norton Toyota Celica
50 Open 6 104 Martin Donnelly/Peter Cunningham Eaqle Talon
51 Open 6 175 Alex Erisoty/Ben Greisler Audi 90
52 Open 6 43 Carlos Arrieta Sr./Belen Arrieta Audi 4000 quattro
53 Open 6 186 Jerry Cuffe/Barry Cuffe Audi 80
54 Open 6 59 John Rek/Constantine Mantopolous Audi S-2
55 PGT 6 100 Donal Mulleady/John O'Reilly Mazda 323 GTX
56 PGT 6 161 Thomas Brann/Brendan Bohan Subaru Legacy
57 PGT 6 97 Paul Dubinsky/Yvon Dubinsky Eagle Talon
58 PGT 6 19 Rod Dean/Nichole Dean Plymouth Laser
59 Grp 5 6 169 Carlos Arrieta Jr./Dick Casey SAAB 900 Turbo
60 Grp 5 6 555 Colin McCleery/Jeff Secor Mercury Merkur XR4ti
61 Grp 5 6 112 Jens Larsen/Roger Sanderson Mazda Rx-7
62 Grp 2 6 77 Robert Pao/Bob Barrell Volkswagen Golf GTi
63 Grp 2 6 60 John Rahill/Vladimir Hladky Volkswagen Golf GTi
64 Grp 2 6 173 Patrick Lilly/Mark McAllister Volkswagen Golf GTi
65 Grp 2 6 47 Ken Kovach/Mark Rinkel Ford Escort GT
66 Grp 2 6 41 Art Burmeister/Jimmy Brandt Volkswagen Golf GTi
67 Grp 2 6 15 Brad Hawkins/Adrian Wintle Volkswagen Jetta
68 Open 6 167 David Green/Mike Wilkerson Eagle Talon TSi
69 Prod 6 74 Ramana Lagemann/Bill Washburn Volkswagen Golf GTi
70 Prod 6 174 Anders Green/Jeff Denton Dodge Ram Pickup
Maine Forest ProRally
Press notes
Page 2
6.) An even earlier withdrawal was that of Andrew Havas and Scott
Slingerland. Despite working multiple all-nighters, Havas could not
complete the Group 5 Mazda Rx-7 he has been working on feverishly for
this event. He had completed the shell, and installed the engine and
transmission; but the car still needed wiring, a dash and exterior
painting. He’s here as a disappointed spectator, now aiming for Ojibwe
as the car’s debut.
7.) John Shirley was to have been here with his Triumph TR7/V8,
following a stopover at the Triumph convention in nearby Portland.
However, the third time he fired up the new engine it seized up solid,
promptly ended any attempt to make this event. Navigator Phil Barnes
came up anyhow, looking for a last-minute ride, but has signed on as
an event worker.
8.) We again will have information gathering assistance from Bowie
Gray and Matt Johnson, who helped us in the same capacity at
Susquehannock Trail, back at the beginning of June.
9.) Also graciously helping out this weekend is Andy Schupack, who
served as the series’ media liaison officer until this season. He’s
very busy these days with Kermish-Geylin Public Relations of New York
and their impressive client lineup -– which includes DaimlerChrysler,
Porsche, Exide and Hemmings Motor News. Andy couldn’t totally leave
performance rallying, though. So he has been assisting the committee
for this rally, and produced the program for the event. With that
done, he’s come back to help us.
10.) Andy’s first stop was to get some background straight from the
primary sources -– car owner WeeGee Smith and driver Stig Blomqvist --
on how the 1984 FIA World Rally Champion came to drive in this year’s
Maine Forest Rally. Smith said that after Carl Merrill’s accident,
which followed his heart attack during the Prescott Forest event last
year, the team gave an estimate to the Merrill family of how much it
would cost to fix the car. They were not interested in going down that
path. Smith didn’t want it to end there, however. So he offered to buy
the car and spares from the family. They accepted the offer, and
WeeGee now owns the Ford Escort Cosworth. He then thought there would
be no finer tribute to Carl Merrill and his contribution to ProRally
(and the Maine Forest event) than to get a world-class driver to
showcase the car which Carl blessed us all with since 1994.
Maine Forest ProRally
Press notes
Page 3
11.) Andy Schupack’s Blomqvist report, continued: Gary Baker, from
Ford Motorsport Europe, was instrumental in helping to rebuild the car
and update it to its current configuration. Baker also contacted
Blomqvist and set up the ride. Blomqvist, who works with Ford
Engineering in the setup of the Puma –- its current World Rally car -–
has been active in rally in recent years, driving for various teams in
both national events and hillclimbs all over Europe. Smith has made
minor adjustments to the Escort to make it run to Blomqvist’s liking,
but the major changes have been made by Baker -- including new front
and rear suspension, to update it to a full 1996 World Rally version
of the Escort.
12.) We were surprised to hear that -- unlike World Rally –- most
national rallies in Sweden are blind rallies like the US. So Blomqvist
will not have a problem with the US format. He and co-driver Lance
Smith have spent time together in the car, and Lance will have to call
corners faster than he is used to…because Stig goes faster. Everyone
is confident that will happen. At the media stage this morning it was
evident that Blomqvist was substantially faster that anyone else
there.
13.) So what’s next for the Ford Escort Cosworth? WeeGee Smith really
doesn’t know, but wants to maintain the car in the first-class manner
that it has been kept -- everything done right. This means that any
qualified driver who wants to drive the car for the team can, but they
would need to come to the party with a large sponsorship package. Is
that driver out there as we speak? Only time will tell.
14.) As for Blomqvist himself, the last time he ran in North America
was in a Canadian event in Montreal in the 1970s (he did not run in
the FIA events in Michigan or Washington state). Although he was
surprised at the invitation to come run this event -- and was not
confirmed until a little over a month ago when it was known that the
car was ready to run -- Blomqvist said that racing is a business in
which you always have to be prepared to grab a good opportunity. He
has spent most of his time the last two years driving 2WD cars, but
feels very comfortable in the ex-Merrill Escort Cosworth. Perhaps the
best thing that Blomqvist told us is that one of the reasons he is
here, and would welcome the opportunity to come back to the US again,
is that Europeans have gotten the word that rally is growing here in
the U.S.
Maine Forest ProRally
Press notes
Page 4
15.) Moving on to other topics, 70 cars started the ProRally this
afternoon on Rumford’s main street, driving under an impressive arch
formed by the aerial ladders of two big “hook-and-ladder” fire trucks
from the local communities. Canadian National Champions Frank and Dan
Sprongl led the big field away with their Audi quattro S2. They were
followed by current series points leaders Noel Lawler and Charlie
Bradley, in their Hyundai Tiburon, and Blomqvist, in the ex-Merrill
Escort Cosworth.
16.) However, sitting forlornly back at the headquarters hotel –- with
the freshly installed number 1 shining on its doors in the afternoon
sun -– was the Hyundai Elantra that was to have been driven by
defending series champion David Summerbell. The transmission problems
mentioned earlier proved to be insurmountable, and the car never
moved. Libra Racing had considered a mad dash back to their Vermont
headquarters to get Paul Choiniere’s new Tiburon, but there wasn’t
enough time when they realized how serious the problem was.
17.) As teams began arriving earlier in the week, there was some
concern that the severe drought here in the Northeast would mean that
this event would be the third-consecutive “dust” event this year.
However, a serious rain storm passed through the area in the middle of
the night, about 12 hours prior to the start. It very effectively
ended the likelihood of any dust problems.
18.) One naturally occurring element of the area that isn’t going to
go away is the large moose population. This entire portion of the
Northeast is practically alive with warning signs for moose crossings
–- and they aren’t kidding. The largest member of the deer family is
quite abundant here, and they are perhaps the largest in the world.
Locals say that a big bull can weigh 1700 lbs. (800 kg).
19.) In a way, the presence of so many moose may make Blomqvist feel
right at home. They are so common in Sweden that, at one time, one
traffic accident in five involved hitting a moose. They call them
“elk” over there, but they’re still the same animal; only the name is
different. (They call our elk “wapiti,” which is their real name
anyhow.) We’re mentioning moose here because one was seen on Stage 1
yesterday morning.
Maine Forest ProRally
Press notes
Page 5
20.) Dean Fry and Don Kennedy are looking for great things this
weekend from a new engine in their very reliable Open Class Subaru
Legacy. It’s a 2.2-liter non-turbo unit with high-lift, long-duration
cams and extensive head work. This is matched up to a new custom
exhaust system.
21.) The rally is run exclusively on private lands owned by paper and
timber companies. The majority of the roads are owned by Mead Paper,
whose publishing paper group and Rumford mill are going out of their
way to help this event and make rallyists feel welcome here. The
remaining roads have been provided through the courtesy of
International Paper and Seven Islands.
22.) Noel Lawler is sporting some additional new sponsorship on his
Hyundai Tiburon this weekend. Snap-On Tools, which has major
involvement with several other forms of motorsports, has made its
first sizable move in ProRally. They have teamed up with our current
points leader, forming a relationship which both sides expect to grow
in the near future.
23.) The initial reports have come in from the first pair of stages --
which are actually the same road run in opposite directions -- and
things aren’t going well for some of the nicer cars in the field.
Production GT leader Gail Truess had a big “off” a mile into Stage 1
and is out of the event. Early reports are that she went off
backwards, hit a tree and then flipped at least once before coming to
rest upside down in a ditch –- narrowly missing a photographer who was
wisely positioned behind a stout tree. She and Pam McGarvey were
unhurt. Reports are that just about the first words from Gail after
she climbed out of the car were, “Did you get it!?” Apparently, the
photographer’s response was, “No.”
24.) George Plsek and Renn Phillips have retired their Audi quattro
with a blow head gasket. This happened on Stage 2.
25.) Demetrios Andreou and John Bellefleur are said to have had a hard
crash within sight of the finish of Stage 2. Apparently, Andreou
missed the downhill 90-degree left turn leading onto the final quarter
mile of the stage. Reports are that the car went straight across the
road, cleared a small bank and ended up in a ditch with the front end
pushed in significantly.
Maine Forest ProRally
Press notes
Page 6
26.) Ivan and Olga Orisek have retired their Open Class Audi quattro
after the engine abruptly quit. Prior to that time, they had been
experiencing overheating, but they are unsure of the cause that put
them out.
27.) Leslie Suddard and Marc Goldfarb have retired their Group 5 Dodge
Charger after severely damaging their right-rear suspension. If they
can locate a rear axle, they intend to make repairs and run in the
ClubRally tomorrow.
28.) The Open Class Subaru Impreza WRX of Bill Driegert and Claire
Chizma is thought to have done some landscaping a time or two. One of
our press assistants reported that he saw it sporting fresh greenery
more than once.
29.) Chris Havas and Eric Tremblay lost the grill on their six-speed
Group 2 Volkswagen Golf GTi early on. However, not long after that
they retired the car when the rubber vibration-damping portion of
their crankshaft pulley failed. That would have left them with no way
to drive the belt that turns the alternator and water pump. This came
about two miles into Stage 2.
30.) Jim Anderson and Martin Dapot also are through for the event. On
Stage 2 they encountered a “yump” that was bigger than it appeared.
The resulting hard landing failed their right-front shock absorber,
and they had to retire their pretty yellow Group 5 Honda Prelude.
31.) Reports from the first two stages suggest that Mike Hurst and Rob
Bohn are having gear-selection problems with their Group 5 Mazda Rx-7.
32.) It appears that Bill Malik and Christian Edstrom are having
engine or ignition problems in their Group 2 Volvo 240. The engine is
reported to be running well at times, but sputtering and stuttering at
others.
33.) Garen and Doc Shrader are said to have had two spins in the early
stages with their Open Class Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV.
34.) It seems that Karl Scheible and Gail McGuire now have a real
challenge on their hands, if they are to give their Volkswagen New
Beetle its third-straight Production Class win. Both front shocks
failed in the early going, and the resulting problems have put them
about two and a half minutes back of first place.
35.) Ted and Lise Mendham have had to change the right-rear shock on
their Nissan Sentra SE-R, apparently as the result of damage sustained
on the second pair of stages.
Maine Forest ProRally
Press notes
Page 7
36.) Mike White and Mike Ronan are experiencing an unexplained partial
loss of power in their Group 2 SAAB 99 Gli.
37.) Donal Mulleady and John O’Reilly lost the skidplate of their
Production GT Mazda 323 GTX on Stage 4.
38.) Stage 6, which was to have been the final stage of the evening,
has been cancelled, because communications in the area were judged to
be spotty. Competitors transited the stage and returned to Rumford to
end the evening’s activities.
39.) Scores at the end of the first day do not show any surprises at
the front of the field. Blomqvist and Smith are first overall in the
Ford Escort Cosworth, with a time of 37:28. The Sprongls are second,
at 38:94, in their Audi quattro S2. Lawler and Bradley are third in
their Hyundai Tiburon, with a 39:81.
40.) Jon Nichols and Mike Koch are a surprising seventh overall in
their Group 2 Volkswagen Golf GTi, with a time of 41:78. Bill Malik
and Christian Edstrom are second in their Volvo 240, 11th overall, at
42:92.
41.) Seamus Burke and Mark Williams are the surprise Production GT
leaders in their Mitsubishi Galant VR4, ninth overall with a 42:26.
Cal Landau and Eric Marcus are breathing down their necks in 10th with
their Mitsubishi Eclipse, at 42:87.
42.) Henry and Cindy Krolikowski have the lead in Group 5, 14th
overall in their Dodge Shadow, at 44:14. Mike Hurst and Rob Bohn are a
mere 4.2 seconds behind in their Mazda Rx7, at 44.21.
43.) Ted and Lise Mendham are tops in the Production Class with their
Nissan Sentra SE-R, at 44:91. Evan Moen and Tom Young are second in
their Plymouth Neon ACR, at 45:53.
44.) Detailed times for all competitors will be posted shortly on the
rally’s website -- http://www.rallyracingnews.com/maine/index.html In
meantime, it is possible to view them on the scoring team’s own
website --
http://pages.infinit.net/@@NyxmjBYAetGObh@t/jgeorges/result/maine99pos5.htm
45.) Reports will resume after the restart, which is scheduled for
9:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
Maine Forest ProRally
Round 6
1999 Michelin SCCA ProRally Championship
Rumford, Maine
July 30-31, 1999
Press Notes #8
Good morning and welcome to day two of the Maine Forest ProRally,
Round 6 of the Michelin SCCA ProRally Championship. It’s partly
cloudy, warm and humid here in the dense woods of western Maine. It’s
uncomfortable outside, but nowhere near as unbearably hot as
yesterday…at least not yet.
46.) Restart time today is 9:30 a.m., and cars are moving down highway
US 2 to the restart point, a large unoccupied commercial complex a
half-mile from the headquarters hotel. It has a huge parking lot that
is ideal for staging such a large field of cars.
47.) In addition to the second day of the ProRally, today we have the
Mead Paper ClubRally running together with the Pro event. It will run
the same roads. Teams running both the Pro and Club events will stay
in their positions based on where they finished yesterday. Those
competing in only the Club event will be added at the end of the Pro
field.
48.) With day one’s attrition (54 cars remain from yesterday’s 70
starters) and today’s added Club entries, we will start about the same
size field today.
49.) Yesterday’s observation that the heavy early morning rainstorm
had very effectively ended the likelihood of dust problems proved
correct -– but only so far. The rain did not cover as large an area as
had been thought. As a result, Stages 1-4 were just fine. However,
Stage 5 turned out to be a dust bowl, and Stage 6 would have been one
also, had it not been cancelled due to spotty communications. So much
for relying on weather canoes for forecasting. (More later.)
50.) The dust was so severe on Stage 5 that Charlie Bradley says he
and Noel Lawler lost a full 40 seconds to the Sprongls, who were ahead
of them on the road.
51.) Like everyone else, Dean Panton and Mike Fennell lost a fair
amount of time to the dust on Stage 5. However, according to Panton’s
father (who is checking in periodically from his home in Jamaica)they
also had a turbo hose come adrift on the stage, leaving the car
seriously down on power. In addition, he said that the car apparently
was somewhat down on power on other stages.
Maine Forest ProRally
Round 6
Michelin SCCA ProRally Championship
July 30-31, 1999
Restart Order
Pos Class Seed Car# Driver/Co-Driver Car
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Open F 5 Stig Blomqvist/Lance Smith Ford Escort Cosworth
2 Open F 141 Frank Sprongl/Dan Sprongl Audi quattro S2
3 Open F 2 Noel Lawler/Charlie Bradley Hyundai Tiburon
4 Open 1 80 Jon Kemp/Rod Hendricksen Audi 4000 quattro
5 Open 2 14 Garen Schrader/Doc Schrader Mitsubishi Evo IV
6 Open 2 120 Dean Panton/Michael Fennel Hyundai Elantra
7 Grp 2 1 142 Jon Nichols/Mike Koch Volkswagen Golf GTI
8 Open 3 99 Sakis Hadjiminas/Brian Maxwell Volkswagen Fox Kit Car
9 PGT 3 115 Seamus Burke/Mark Williams Mitsubishi Galant VR4
10 PGT 1 13 Cal Landau/Eric Marcus Mitsubishi Eclipse
11 Grp 2 1 10 Bill Malik/Christian Edstrom Volvo 240
12 PGT 5 168 Celsus Donnelly/Kevin Mullan Eagle Talon TSi
13 Open 4 188 Malachy Crawford/Finian Hannigan Mitsubishi Evo V
14 Grp 5 2 44 Henry Krolikowski/Cindy Krolikowski Dodge Shadow
15 Grp 5 2 82 Mike Hurst/Rob Bohn Mazda Rx-7
16 Open 3 64 Sylvester Stepniewski/Adam Pelc Audi quattro
17 Grp 2 4 71 Bryan Hourt/Peter Cardimen Honda Civic
18 Grp 2 2 108 Gerald Sweet/Stuart Spark SAAB 99 EMS
19 Prod 4 76 Ted Mendham/Lise Mendham Nissan Sentra SE-R
20 PGT 2 21 Chris Czyzio/Eric Carlson Mitsubishi Eclipse
21 PGT 3 27 Greg Healey/John MacLeod Subaru Impreza
22 Open 6 175 Alex Erisoty/Ben Greisler Audi 90
23 Grp 5 4 121 Mark Bowers/Duffy Bowers Mitsubishi Starion
24 Prod 5 36 Evan Moen/Tom Young Plymouth Neon
25 Open 4 116 Thomas Lawless/Brendan Lawless Volkswagen Golf GTi
26 Prod 4 119 Peter Malaszuk/Darek Szerejko Daewoo Nubira
28 PGT 5 109 James Frandsen/Todd Bourdette Audi 200
29 PGT 6 161 Thomas Brann/Brendan Bohan Subaru Legacy
30 Open 5 126 Arthur Wojcik/Charles Cox Mitsubishi Galant VR4
31 Prod 4 73 Nicholas Robinson/Carl Lindquist Honda Civic
32 Grp 2 5 199 Mike White/Mike Ronan SAAB 99 GLI
33 Grp 2 5 42 Eric Burmeister/Mark Buskirk Volkswagen Golf GTi
34 Grp 2 5 146 Walt Kammer/Jackie Adams Datsun 510
35 Grp 5 6 555 Colin McCleery/Jeff Secor Mercury Merkur XR4ti
36 Prod 3 61 Karl Scheible/Gail McGuire Volkswagen New Beetle
37 Open 6 59 John Rek/Constantine Mantopolous Audi S2
38 Grp 2 5 129 Scott Kreisler/John Bonasera Nissan 200SX
39 PGT 6 97 Paul Dubinsky/Yvon Dubinsky Eagle Talon
40 PGT 5 70 Kendall Russell/John Dillon Dodge Shadow
41 Open 6 159 Michael ZamikhovskyRon Norton Toyota Celica
42 Grp 2 6 173 Patrick Lilly/Mark McAllister Volkswagen Golf GTi
43 Grp 2 6 41 Art Burmeister/Jimmy Brandt Volkswagen Golf GTi
44 Open 5 901 Gerry Brinkman/Will Sekella Audi 4000 quattro
45 Grp 2 6 77 Robert Pao/Bob Barrell Volkswagen Golf GTi
46 PGT 6 19 Rod Dean/Nichole Dean Plymouth Laser
47 Grp 2 6 15 Brad Hawkins/Adrian Wintle Volkswagen Jetta
48 PGT 6 100 Donal Mulleady/John O'Reilly Mazda 323 GTX
49 Grp 5 6 112 Jens Larsen/Roger Sanderson Mazda Rx-7
50 Open 6 152 Wojciech Hajduczyk/Cezary Fidler Plymouth Laser
51 Open 6 186 Jerry Cuffe/Barry Cuffe Audi 80
52 Prod 4 143 Ilana Rosenshein/Jennifer Cote Suzuki Swift GT
53 Open 6 167 David Green/Mike Wilkerson Eagle Talon TSi
54 Prod 4 145 Bruno Laverdiere/Martin Duval Toyota Corolla
55 Open 2 135 Bill Driegert/Claire Chizma Subaru WRX
56 Grp 5 3 38 Lesley Suddard/Marc Goldfarb Dodge Charger
57 Open TBA 906 TBA/TBA TBA
58 Open 6 43 Carlos Arrieta Sr./Belen Arrieta Audi 4000 quattro
59 Open 4 969 Christopher Sanborn/Lou Datilio Audi 4000 quattro
60 Open 6 104 Martin Donnelly/Peter Cunningham Eaqle Talon
61 Open 6 905 John Carrara/Philip Ho Dodge Shadow
62 Grp 5 6 990 Charles Sprigg/Andy Jones Volkswagen Golf GTi
63 Grp 5 6 907 Frederic Carpenter/Joshua Bessem Alfa Romeo Milano
64 Grp 5 6 921 Howard Richards/Joel Richards Mitsubishi Eclipse
65 TBA 6 461 TBA/TBA TBA
66 PGT 6 902 Marty Allen/Stewart Allen Mazda 323 GTX
67 PGT 6 913 Janusz Jastrzebski/Marcin Korneluk Subaru Impreza
68 Grp 2 6 912 John Cassidy/Travis Smith Honda Civic CRX
69 Grp 2 6 910 Matthew Lewis/Tony Lumino Pontiac LeMans
70 Grp 2 6 522 Jonathan Butts/Garry Butts Dodge Omni
Maine Forest ProRally
Press notes
Page 9
52.) Before they retired last evening, Chris Havas and Eric Tremblay
were flying in their six-speed Group 2 Volkswagen Golf GTi. They were
the fastest two-wheel-drive car, and were running about eighth
overall.
53.) Seed 6 driver Alex Aristoy and veteran navigator Ben Greisler
were flying, too, in their Open Class Audi 90; and they still are.
Yesterday they moved up a whopping 31 places.
54.) One of the front-runners who is not here this weekend is Paul
Eklund, whose screaming-yellow Open Class Subaru Impreza finished
sixth overall at Rim of the World and third overall at Wild West.
Limited budget has forced him to pass up this rally. However, he is
aiming to make all of the remaining events.
55.) Dean Fry and Don Kennedy had been expecting great things from the
new engine in their Open Class Subaru Legacy, but had a rather short
event. They retired on Stage 1 with two broken rocker arms. Because
the engine is a four-valve type, and because the broken arms were on
different cylinders, the engine ran quite well after the failures. In
fact, they couldn’t even tell anything was wrong until they completed
the stage and could hear the noise from the broken parts.
56.) Only in wonderful Maine Dept.: Maine, of course, is very famous
for lobster. The McDonald’s just down the road from the headquarters
hotel features lobster rolls on its menu. Just try ordering one of
them in your local McDonald’s. (They’re about four dollars, and won’t
win any awards; but they’re not bad.)
57.) Last night, Ramana Lagemann and Bill Washburn swerved to miss a
large rock in the dust on Stage 5, went off the road and into a
culvert. The car wasn’t badly damaged, but they retired their
Production Class Volkswagen Golf GTi on the spot with a holed fuel
tank.
58.) Earlier, we thanked Andy Schupack and press assistants Bowie Gray
and Matt Johnson. We also should point out that Craig Zurhorst of Mead
Paper has been the human dynamo behind Mead’s efforts to make the
rally happen. He’s been everywhere, doing just about everything –-
coordinating people and equipment, moving and setting up audio
equipment, helping us set up and run the media/VIP stage yesterday,
and doing his regular job. On behalf of the entire rally, thanks,
Craig!
Maine Forest ProRally
Press notes
Page 10
59.) Peter Malaszuk and Darek Szerejko have been running well in the
factory-backed Production Class Daewoo Nubira. However, on Stage 4, as
they landed after a jump a large rock wedged itself between the skid
plate and the right-front control arm. The result was a mangled
control arm, which was replaced in the next service. They’re back
running well.
60.) Karl Scheible and Gail McGuire will not get their third-straight
Production Class victory for the Volkswagen New Beetle. Suspension
problems have taken them out of the hunt; but they still will run in
the ClubRally.
61.) The fresh-cut flowers in the New Beetle’s bud vase for this rally
are geraniums.
62.) Now, about the weather canoes: We’ve been using an old backwoods
Maine guides’ trick for determining weather conditions. The technique
depends on the upturned bottom of a canoe, and works like this: If the
canoe is wet, it’s raining. If light is reflecting strongly off the
canoe, it’s sunny. If it’s summer, you can’t see the canoe, and all
you can see is white, it’s foggy. If it’s winter, you can’t see the
canoe, and all you can see is white, it’s snowing. If you can’t see
the canoe and all you can see is black, it’s night. And so on.
63.) First reports from the field indicate that things are going along
as before at the front of the field. After Stage 8, Blomqvist/Smith
have more than a two-and-a-quarter minute cushion over the Sprongls.
Lawler/Bradley are about 75 seconds back from there, with the Shraders
a bit less than four minutes further back.
64.) Malik/Edstrom (Volvo 240) have about two minutes on Gerald Sweet
and Stuart Spark (SAAB 99EMS)in Group 2, and they’re running in the
top 10.
65.) In Group 5, Henry and Cindy Krolikowski (Dodge Shadow) are about
a minute ahead of Mike Hurst and Rob Bohn. Hurst and Bohn have a hot
new peripheral-port 13B engine in their Mazda Rx-7, and it seems to be
running very well.
66.) In Production GT, early leaders Cal Landau and Eric Marcus are
reported out of the event. They’re said to be limping along a short
distance of a time in the crippled Mitsubishi Eclipse, but the cause
of their problem is not known.
67.) Chris Czyzio and Eric Carlson have assumed the PGT lead in their
Eclipse. They are about 30 seconds ahead of Greg Healey and John
Macleod, in their new Subaru Impreza.
Maine Forest ProRally
Press notes
Page 11
68.) ClubRally entrants Marty and Stewart Allen had a frightening
“off” in their Mazda 323 GTX. About 21 miles into Stage 8, Marty slid
a little wide on a turn, got snagged by a rut and was flung off the
road at perhaps 80 mph. The car was thrown into a series of five and a
half flips and rolls, cleared some trees and wound up on its roof well
off the road. They were quickly out and assured cars behind them that
they were okay. Marty is bruised and sore; Stewart has a broken arm
but will be fine.
69.) Bill Dreigert and Claire Chizma also went off on Stage 8, in
roughly the same vicinity. They had stopped previously to inspect the
right-rear tire for problems. It looked fine, so they went on. A while
later the wheel and tire folded
under,
and they shot almost straight off the road. The Subaru WRX ended up in
a culvert, and their day was done.
70.) Mike White and Mike Ronan putted along through Stage 8 in their
SAAB 99 GLi. At the next service, they changed the fuel pump and
filter, and the problem was solved.
71.) Team Honda Research’s Nicholas Robinson and Carl Lindquist
finished Stage 8 without a right-front tire on their Production Class
Honda Civic. At present, there is no explanation of how they lost the
tire.
72.) David Green and Mike Wilerson had to stop and repair hoses on
Stage 8. Once repairs were made, they were able to continue on in
their Eagle Talon.
73.) A crowd of almost 2000 people (Rumford police estimate) jammed
into downtown Rumford’s main street for the finish of the 12th running
of the Maine Forest ProRally. The 48 cars remaining from the 70 that
started the day’s festivities ran the rally’s final stage in town. It
was a half-mile course that ran through Mead Paper’s facility, and
ended with a fast 90-degree left and a flying finish on Congress St.
In a very unusual move, cars ran the final stage in the reverse order.
This was designed to give the fans, competitors and workers a chance
to applaud the rally winners while the event was still underway.
74.) Some of the loudest applause came from the crowd when Noel Lawler
and Charlie Bradley’s Hyundai Tiburon hit the big orange traffic
barrel placed in front of the Dunkin’ Donuts to keep drivers from
hitting a hard-to-see curb. The barrel was just 25 years from the
finish.
Maine Forest ProRally
Press notes
Page 12
75.) Eric Burmeister and Mark Buskirk had a flat right-rear tire on
their Group 2 Volkswagen Golf GTi when they came up the hill to the
Dunkin’ Donuts turn. The tire nearly rolled off the rim as they
rounded the corner onto Congress Street. They made it, though, and the
crowd loved it.
76.) Bryan Hourt and Peter Cardimen had the same flat-tire experience
in their Group 2 Honda Civic. The crowd loved that effort, too, and
showed their appreciation.
77.) The Shraders crossed the finish with a nice slide. However,
immediately after they did there was the distinct telltale “thunk”
and cloud of oil smoke that indicates a blown engine. Sure enough,
they said that the engine had thrown a rod through the side of the
block. However, they still were pleased with their fourth-place
finish, and could even joke that they had been worried about the
alternator before the start of the stage.
78.) Finally, Stig Blomqvist and Lance Smith perfectly slid the Ford
Escort Cosworth through the Dunkin’ Donuts turn, to the delight of the
crowd. They had completed their mission to honor the memory of the
Maine Forest ProRally’s favorite son, Carl Merrill. They had piloted
the former Merrill car to an impressive overall win over a great field
of open-class cars. Blomqvist got a huge cheer at the podium ceremony,
which also was held downtown.
79.) Final results will follow as a separate message. However, the
class winners are: Blomqvist/Smith (Ford Escort Cosworth)in Open,
1:39:58; Malik/Edstrom (Volvo 240)in Group 2, sixth overall, 1:54:16;
Krolikowski/Krolikowski (Dodge Shadow), seventh overall, 1:54:27;
Healey/Macleod (Subaru Impreza) in Production GT, 12th overall,
1:57:15; and Moen/Young (Plymouth Neon ACR) in Production, 18th
overall, 1:58:56.
Maine Forest ProRally
Round 6
Michelin SCCA ProRally Championship
Rumford, Maine
July 30-31, 1999
Final Results
OA Class Driver Car
Pos.Pos. Class Car Navigator Hometown Tires Time
1 1 Open 5 Stig Blomqvist Sweden Escort Cosworth
Lance Smith Hinesburg, VT Michelin 1:39:58
2 2 Open 141 Frank Sprongl Mississauga, Ont Audi quattro
Dan Sprongl Mississauga, Ont Yokohama 1:42:34
3 3 Open 14 Garen Schrader Memphis, TN Mitsubishi Evo
Doc Schrader Memphis, TN Michelin 1:50:15
5 5 Open 80 Jon Kemp Attico, NY Audi quattro
Rod Hendickson Clinton, NJ Michelin 1:51:59
6 1 Gr 2 10 Bill Malik Burbank, CA Volvo 240
Christian Edstrom Valencia, CA Michelin 1:54:16
7 1 Gr 5 44 Henry Krolikowski Wyandotte, MI Dodge Shadow
Cindy Krolikowski Wyandotte, MI Michelin 1:54:27
8 2 Gr 2 108 Gerald Sweet Oakridge, NJ Saab 99 EMS
Stuart Spark Woodcliff Lake, NJ Michelin 1:55:46
9 6 Open 175 Alex Erisoty New York, NY Audi 90
Ben Greisler Holland, PA Michelin 1:55:48
10 2 Gr 5 82 Mike Hurst Indianapolis, IN Mazda RX-7
Rob Bohn Noblesville, IN Michelin 1:56:40
11 3 Gr 5 121 Mark Bowers Afton, VA Mitsubishi Starion
Duffy Bowers Afton, VA Michelin 1:56:41
12 1 PGT 27 Greg Healey Saugerties, NY Subaru Impreza
John Macleod So Easton, MA Michelin 1:57:15
13 2 PGT 21 Chris Czyzio Flushing, MI Mitsubishi Eclipse
Eric Carlson Oregon, WI Michelin 1:57:22
14 3 Gr 2 71 Bryan Hourt Hilliard, OH Honda Civic
Peter Cardimen Dublin, OH Michelin 1:57:25
15 7 Open 64 Sylvester Stepniewski Keansburg, NJ Audi quattro
Adam Pelc Middle Village, NY Michelin 1:57:37
16 8 Open 106 Malachy Crawford Garden City, NY Mitsubishi Evo
Finian Hannigan Dublin, Ireland Michelin 1:57:59
17 4 Gr 2 116 Thomas Lawless Maspeth, NY Volkswagen Golf GTI
Sean Divine Maspeth, NY Michelin 1:58:20
18 1 Prod 36 Evan Moen Clarkston, MI Plymouth Neon
Tom Young Lapees, MI Michelin 1:58:56
19 2 Prod 119 Peter Malaszuk Stamford, CT Daewoo Nubira
Darek Szerejko Ryebrook, NY Michelin 1:59:05
20 9 Open 126 Arthur Wojcik Middle Village, NY Mitsubishi Gal
Charles Cox Cambridge, MA Michelin 1:59:17
21 3 PGT 168 Celsus Donnelly New York, NY Eagle Talon Tsi
Kevin Mullin New York, NY Michelin 2:02:17
22 5 Gr 2 146 Walt Kammer Williamsille, NY Datsun 510
Jackie Adams North Collins, NY Yokohama 2:03:02
23 4 Gr 5 555 Colin McCleery Zeeland, MI Merkur XR 4ti
Jeff Secor Hudsonville, MI Michelin 2:03:21
24 3 Prod 61 Karl Scheible Spencerport, NY VW New Beetle
Gail McGuire Avon, NY Michelin 2:04:07
25 10 Open 59 John Rek Chicago, Il Audi S-2
C. Mantopoulos Si, NY Michelin 2:04:47
26 4 PGT 97 Paul Dubinsky Fort Mill, SC Eagle Talon
Yvon Dubinsky Fort Mill, SC Michelin 2:05:56
27 4 Prod 73 Nicholas Robinson Plain City, OH Honda Civic
Carl Lindquist Zanesfield, Ohio Michelin 2:07:35
28 5 PGT 70 Kendall Russell Knoxville, TN Dodge Shadow
John Dillon Thousand Oaks, CA Michelin 2:07:35
29 6 Gr 2 173 Patrick Lilly Yonkers, NY Volkswagen Golf GTi
Mark McAllister New York, NY Michelin 2:07:38
30 11 Open 159 Michael Zamikhovsky Watchung, NJ Toyota Celica
Ron Norton Solebury, PA Michelin 2:07:55
31 7 Gr 2 15 Brad Hawkins Wilmington, DE Volkswagen Jetta
Adrian Wintle Newmarket, Ont Michelin 2:08:05
32 8 Gr 2 129 Scott Kreisler Boyerstown, PA Nissan 200SX
John Bonasera Collegeville, PA Michelin 2:08:08
33 6 P.GT 19 Rod Dean Holly, MI Plymouth Laser
Nichole Dean Holly, MI Michelin 2:08:21
34 9 Gr 2 199 Mike White Keene, NH Saab 99 Gli
Mike Ronan Dover, NH Michelin 2:08:24
35 10 Gr 2 41 Art Burmeister Sterling, MI VW GTI
Jimmy Brandt Lake Odessa, MI Michelin 2:08:43
36 7 PGT 100 Donal P Mulleady Bayonne, NJ Mazda 323 GTX
John O Reilly Yonkers, NY Michelin 2:10:03
37 11 Gr 2 77 Robert Pao Branchburg, NJ Volkswagen Golf GTI
Bob Barrell Bethlehem, PA Michelin 2:11:14
38 12 Open 186 Jerry Cuffe Bronx, NY Audi 80
Barry Cuffe Bronx, NY Michelin 2:13:16
39 5 Prod 145 Bruno Laverdiere Laval, Quebec Toyota Corolla
Martin Duval Ste -Catherine, Que Yokohama 2:14:11
40 6 Prod 143 Ilana RosensheinWaterloo, Ont Suzuki Swift GT
Jennifer Cote Don Mills, Ont Yokohama 2:15:46
41 8 PGT 109 James R FrandsenMillerton, PA Audi 200
Todd Bourdette Millerton, PA Michelin 2:16:57
42 13 Open 901 Gerry Brinkman Farmingdale, NJ Audi quattro
Will Sekella Reading, PA Silverstone 2:24:41
43 12 Gr 2 42 Eric Burmeister Dearborn Hgts, MI Volkswagen Golf GTI
Mark Buskirk Kentwood, MI Michelin 2:32:07
44 14 Open 167 David Green Fairfax Station, VA Eagle TalonTsi
Mike Wilerson Arlington, VA Michelin 2:46:13
Open 3 David SummerbellJamaica Hyundai Tiburon
Jeff Becker Great Neck, NY Michelin DNF
Open 11 Ivan Orisek White Plains, NY Audi quattro
Olga Orisek White Plains, NY Michelin DNF
PGT 13 Cal Landau Coraopolis, PA Mitsubishi Eclipse
Eric Marcus Beavercreek, OH Michelin DNF
PGT 16 Gail Truess Brooklyn, MI Mazda 323 GTX
Pam McGarvey Ohio Michelin DNF
Open 20 George Plsek Del Mar, CA Audi quattro
Renn Phillips Solana Beach, CA Michelin DNF
Open 29 Dean Fry Temple, PA Subaru Legacy
Don Kennedy Shillington, PA Michelin DNF
Gr 5 Lesley Suddard Wilmington, DE Shelby Charger
Marc Goldfarb Atkinson, NH Michelin DNF
Open 43 Carlos Arrieta Sr Alexandria, VA Audi Quattro
Belen Arrieta Alexandria, VA Michelin DNF
Gr 2 47 Ken Kovach Cleveland, OH Ford Escort GT
Mark Rinkel Hinckley, OH Michelin DNF
Gr 2 58 Roland McIvor Rockford, IL Nissan Sentra
Richard AdelmannSussex, NJ Michelin DNF
Gr 2 60 John Rahill Montpelier, VT Volkswagen Golf GTi
Vladimir Hladky Essex Jct, VT Michelin DNF
Prod 74 Ramana Lagemann Cohasset, MA Volkswagen Golf GTi
Bill Washburn Wellesley, MA DNF
Prod 76 Ted Mendham Lyndeborough, NH Nissan Sentra
Lise Mendham Lyndeborough, NH Michelin DNF
Open 99 Sakis Hadjiminas Floral Park, NY VW Fox Kit Car
Brian Maxwell Port Hope, Ont Michelin DNF
Gr 5 111 Jim Anderson Dublin, OH Honda Prelude
Martin Dapot Reston, VA Michelin DNF
Gr 5 112 Jens Larsen Storrs, CT Mazda RX-7
Roger Sanderson Waterloo, Ont Silverstone DNF
PGT 115 Seamus Burke Powdersprings, GA Mitsubishi VR4
Mark Williams Michelin DNF
Gr 2 118 Tom Lawless Maspeth, NY Volkswagen Scirocco
Brendan Lawless Maspeth, NY Michelin DNF
Open 120 Dean Panton Jamaica Hyundai Elantra
Michael Fennel Jamaica Michelin DNF
Open 135 Bill Driegert Dallas, TX Subaru WRX
Claire Chizma Newhall, CA Michelin DNF
Gr 2 142 Jon Nichols Lachine, QU Volkswagen Golf GTi
Mike Koch Nepean, ON Michelin DNF
Open 152 Wojciech Hajducayk Linden, NJ Plymouth Laser
Cezary Fidler Brooklyn, NY Silverstone DNF
PGT 161 Thomas Brann Mahopac, NY Subaru Legacy
Brandon Bohan Hopewell Jct, NY Michelin DNF
Gr 5 169 Carlos Arrieta Jr Falls Church, VA Saab 900 Turbo
Dick Casey Fairfax Station, VA Michelin DNF
Prod 174 Anders Green Apex, NC Dodge Ram
Jeff Denton Apex, NC Michelin DNF
Open 179 Demetrios Andreou Thornhill, ON Audi Quattro
John Bellefleur Thornhill, Ont Michelin DNF
Gr 2 180 Chris Havas Richmond, VT Volkswagen Golf GTi
Eric Tremblay St Jean Chrysostome Michelin DNF
Contact: Ed Jacobs (330) 644-7774
Date: August 1, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Former World Champion Stig Blomqvist Wins Maine Forest ProRally
RUMFORD, Maine — Former World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist was
the man who made it happen, but the remarkable record of the 1999
Michelin SCCA ProRally Championship is still intact – six events and
six different winners. Driving an exotic Ford Escort Cosworth,
Blomqvist started first in the July 30-31 Maine Forest ProRally and
never was headed, despite strong challenges from top North American
teams, including several national champions.
Blomqvist’s job was made a bit easier when both defending US
champion David Summerbell and the seven-time US champion Paul
Choiniere were sidelined by mechanical problems and illness,
respectively, before the event started. However, there still was
plenty of talent intent on spoiling his US rally debut. Canadian
champions Frank and Dan Sprongl were on hand with their Audi quattro
S2. Current ProRally points leaders Noel Lawler and Charlie Bradley
brought their factory-backed Hyundai Tiburon. Rim of the World winners
Garen and Doc Shrader brought their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV; and
Jamaican hotshoe Dean Panton and defending US co-driver champion Mike
Fennell had a potent Hyundai Elantra.
Despite the strong competition, Blomqvist still relentlessly
edged ahead of the field, finishing two and a half minutes clear of
the Sprongls, and another two ahead of Lawler and Bradley. Fourth
overall went to the Shraders.
Perhaps the surprise drive of the event was that of Group 2
winners Bill Malik and Christian Edstrom. They brought their flying
Volvo 240 through the field to finish a truly
remarkable sixth overall in the 70-car field. They finished nearly
four minutes ahead of class Gerald Sweet and Stuart Spark, in a SAAB
99EMS.
Right behind Malik and Edstrom, seventh overall, were Group 5
winners Henry and Cindy Krolikowski, in a Dodge Shadow. They, too,
carvedtheir way through the field. En route, they built about a
two-minute cushion over Mike Hurst and Rob Bohn, in a Mazda Rx-7.
The closest battle of the rally was in the Production GT class.
Greg Healey and John Macleod brought out a newly completed Subaru
Impreza, hoping for a good maiden run. They went home with the class
win. After a hard-fought two days, they emerged just seven seconds
ahead of the Mitsubishi Eclipse of Chris Czyzio and Eric Carlson.
The battle for the Production Class victory was only a couple of
ticks less tight. Evan Moen and Tom Young, in a Plymouth Neon ACR, had
a furious struggle with the factory-backed Daewoo Nubira of Peter
Malaszuk and Darek Szerejko. In the end, Moen and Young had the
advantage by a mere nine seconds.
Blomqvist’s appearance in the event was part of a tribute to the
late Carl Merrill, the beloved Maine businessman and long-time series
front-runner who passed away late last year from heart failure.
Merrill’s former crewchief, WeeGee Smith, bought the car he had
maintained for Merrill, brought it up to current specs and invited
Blomqvist to drive it. Blomqvist obliged with the clear victory that
completed Smith’s tribute to his late friend.
The next round of the Michelin SCCA ProRally Championship will be
the Ojibwe Forests ProRally, which will take place in Bemidji,
Minnesota, the weekend of August 27-28.
— WRG —
MF-0002
8199
Maine Forest ProRally
Round 6
Michelin SCCA ProRally Championship
Rumford, Maine
July 30-31, 1999
Final Results
OA Class Driver Car
Pos.Pos. Class Car Navigator Hometown Tires Time
1 1 Open 5 Stig Blomqvist Sweden Escort Cosworth
Lance Smith Hinesburg, VT Michelin 1:39:58
2 2 Open 141 Frank Sprongl Mississauga, Ont Audi quattro
Dan Sprongl Mississauga, Ont Yokohama 1:42:34
3 3 Open 2 Noel Lawler Manchester Vil., VT Hyundai Tiburon
Charlie Bradley Ardmore, PA Pirelli 1:44:43
4 4 Open 14 Garen Schrader Memphis, TN Mitsubishi Evo
Doc Schrader Memphis, TN Michelin 1:50:15
5 5 Open 80 Jon Kemp Attico, NY Audi quattro
Rod Hendickson Clinton, NJ Michelin 1:51:59
6 1 Gr 2 10 Bill Malik Burbank, CA Volvo 240
Christian Edstrom Valencia, CA Michelin 1:54:16
7 1 Gr 5 44 Henry Krolikowski Wyandotte, MI Dodge Shadow
Cindy Krolikowski Wyandotte, MI Michelin 1:54:27
8 2 Gr 2 108 Gerald Sweet Oakridge, NJ Saab 99 EMS
Stuart Spark Woodcliff Lake, NJ Michelin 1:55:46
9 6 Open 175 Alex Erisoty New York, NY Audi 90
Ben Greisler Holland, PA Michelin 1:55:48
10 2 Gr 5 82 Mike Hurst Indianapolis, IN Mazda RX-7
Rob Bohn Noblesville, IN Michelin 1:56:40
11 3 Gr 5 121 Mark Bowers Afton, VA Mitsubishi Starion
Duffy Bowers Afton, VA Michelin 1:56:41
12 1 PGT 27 Greg Healey Saugerties, NY Subaru Impreza
John Macleod So Easton, MA Michelin 1:57:15
13 2 PGT 21 Chris Czyzio Flushing, MI Mitsubishi Eclipse
Eric Carlson Oregon, WI Michelin 1:57:22
14 3 Gr 2 71 Bryan Hourt Hilliard, OH Honda Civic
Peter Cardimen Dublin, OH Michelin 1:57:25
15 7 Open 64 Sylvester Stepniewski Keansburg, NJ Audi quattro
Adam Pelc Middle Village, NY Michelin 1:57:37
16 8 Open 106 Malachy Crawford Garden City, NY Mitsubishi Evo
Finian Hannigan Dublin, Ireland Michelin 1:57:59
17 4 Gr 2 116 Thomas Lawless Maspeth, NY Volkswagen Golf GTI
Sean Divine Maspeth, NY Michelin 1:58:20
18 1 Prod 36 Evan Moen Clarkston, MI Plymouth Neon
Tom Young Lapees, MI Michelin 1:58:56
19 2 Prod 119 Peter Malaszuk Stamford, CT Daewoo Nubira
Darek Szerejko Ryebrook, NY Michelin 1:59:05
20 9 Open 126 Arthur Wojcik Middle Village, NY Mitsubishi Gal
Charles Cox Cambridge, MA Michelin 1:59:17
21 3 PGT 168 Celsus Donnelly New York, NY Eagle Talon Tsi
Kevin Mullin New York, NY Michelin 2:02:17
22 5 Gr 2 146 Walt Kammer Williamsille, NY Datsun 510
Jackie Adams North Collins, NY Yokohama 2:03:02
23 4 Gr 5 555 Colin McCleery Zeeland, MI Merkur XR 4ti
Jeff Secor Hudsonville, MI Michelin 2:03:21
24 3 Prod 61 Karl Scheible Spencerport, NY VW New Beetle
Gail McGuire Avon, NY Michelin 2:04:07
25 10 Open 59 John Rek Chicago, Il Audi S-2
C. Mantopoulos Si, NY Michelin 2:04:47
26 4 PGT 97 Paul Dubinsky Fort Mill, SC Eagle Talon
Yvon Dubinsky Fort Mill, SC Michelin 2:05:56
27 4 Prod 73 Nicholas Robinson Plain City, OH Honda Civic
Carl Lindquist Zanesfield, Ohio Michelin 2:07:35
28 5 PGT 70 Kendall Russell Knoxville, TN Dodge Shadow
John Dillon Thousand Oaks, CA Michelin 2:07:35
29 6 Gr 2 173 Patrick Lilly Yonkers, NY Volkswagen Golf GTi
Mark McAllister New York, NY Michelin 2:07:38
30 11 Open 159 Michael Zamikhovsky Watchung, NJ Toyota Celica
Ron Norton Solebury, PA Michelin 2:07:55
31 7 Gr 2 15 Brad Hawkins Wilmington, DE Volkswagen Jetta
Adrian Wintle Newmarket, Ont Michelin 2:08:05
32 8 Gr 2 129 Scott Kreisler Boyerstown, PA Nissan 200SX
John Bonasera Collegeville, PA Michelin 2:08:08
33 6 P.GT 19 Rod Dean Holly, MI Plymouth Laser
Nichole Dean Holly, MI Michelin 2:08:21
34 9 Gr 2 199 Mike White Keene, NH Saab 99 Gli
Mike Ronan Dover, NH Michelin 2:08:24
35 10 Gr 2 41 Art Burmeister Sterling, MI VW GTI
Jimmy Brandt Lake Odessa, MI Michelin 2:08:43
36 7 PGT 100 Donal P Mulleady Bayonne, NJ Mazda 323 GTX
John O Reilly Yonkers, NY Michelin 2:10:03
37 11 Gr 2 77 Robert Pao Branchburg, NJ Volkswagen Golf GTI
Bob Barrell Bethlehem, PA Michelin 2:11:14
38 12 Open 186 Jerry Cuffe Bronx, NY Audi 80
Barry Cuffe Bronx, NY Michelin 2:13:16
39 5 Prod 145 Bruno Laverdiere Laval, Quebec Toyota Corolla
Martin Duval Ste -Catherine, Que Yokohama 2:14:11
40 6 Prod 143 Ilana RosensheinWaterloo, Ont Suzuki Swift GT
Jennifer Cote Don Mills, Ont Yokohama 2:15:46
41 8 PGT 109 James R FrandsenMillerton, PA Audi 200
Todd Bourdette Millerton, PA Michelin 2:16:57
42 13 Open 901 Gerry Brinkman Farmingdale, NJ Audi quattro
Will Sekella Reading, PA Silverstone 2:24:41
43 12 Gr 2 42 Eric Burmeister Dearborn Hgts, MI Volkswagen Golf GTI
Mark Buskirk Kentwood, MI Michelin 2:32:07
44 14 Open 167 David Green Fairfax Station, VA Eagle TalonTsi
Mike Wilerson Arlington, VA Michelin 2:46:13
Open 3 David SummerbellJamaica Hyundai Tiburon
Jeff Becker Great Neck, NY Michelin DNF
Open 11 Ivan Orisek White Plains, NY Audi quattro
Olga Orisek White Plains, NY Michelin DNF
PGT 13 Cal Landau Coraopolis, PA Mitsubishi Eclipse
Eric Marcus Beavercreek, OH Michelin DNF
PGT 16 Gail Truess Brooklyn, MI Mazda 323 GTX
Pam McGarvey Ohio Michelin DNF
Open 20 George Plsek Del Mar, CA Audi quattro
Renn Phillips Solana Beach, CA Michelin DNF
Open 29 Dean Fry Temple, PA Subaru Legacy
Don Kennedy Shillington, PA Michelin DNF
Gr 5 38 Lesley Suddard Wilmington, DE Shelby Charger
Marc Goldfarb Atkinson, NH Michelin DNF
Open 43 Carlos Arrieta Sr Alexandria, VA Audi Quattro
Belen Arrieta Alexandria, VA Michelin DNF
Gr 2 47 Ken Kovach Cleveland, OH Ford Escort GT
Mark Rinkel Hinckley, OH Michelin DNF
Gr 2 58 Roland McIvor Rockford, IL Nissan Sentra
Richard AdelmannSussex, NJ Michelin DNF
Gr 2 60 John Rahill Montpelier, VT Volkswagen Golf GTi
Vladimir Hladky Essex Jct, VT Michelin DNF
Prod 74 Ramana Lagemann Cohasset, MA Volkswagen Golf GTi
Bill Washburn Wellesley, MA DNF
Prod 76 Ted Mendham Lyndeborough, NH Nissan Sentra
Lise Mendham Lyndeborough, NH Michelin DNF
Open 99 Sakis Hadjiminas Floral Park, NY VW Fox Kit Car
Brian Maxwell Port Hope, Ont Michelin DNF
Gr 5 111 Jim Anderson Dublin, OH Honda Prelude
Martin Dapot Reston, VA Michelin DNF
Gr 5 112 Jens Larsen Storrs, CT Mazda RX-7
Roger Sanderson Waterloo, Ont Silverstone DNF
PGT 115 Seamus Burke Powdersprings, GA Mitsubishi VR4
Mark Williams Michelin DNF
Gr 2 118 Tom Lawless Maspeth, NY Volkswagen Scirocco
Brendan Lawless Maspeth, NY Michelin DNF
Open 120 Dean Panton Jamaica Hyundai Elantra
Michael Fennel Jamaica Michelin DNF
Open 135 Bill Driegert Dallas, TX Subaru WRX
Claire Chizma Newhall, CA Michelin DNF
Gr 2 142 Jon Nichols Lachine, QU Volkswagen Golf GTi
Mike Koch Nepean, ON Michelin DNF
Open 152 Wojciech Hajducayk Linden, NJ Plymouth Laser
Cezary Fidler Brooklyn, NY Silverstone DNF
PGT 161 Thomas Brann Mahopac, NY Subaru Legacy
Brandon Bohan Hopewell Jct, NY Michelin DNF
Gr 5 169 Carlos Arrieta Jr Falls Church, VA Saab 900 Turbo
Dick Casey Fairfax Station, VA Michelin DNF
Prod 174 Anders Green Apex, NC Dodge Ram
Jeff Denton Apex, NC Michelin DNF
Open 179 Demetrios Andreou Thornhill, ON Audi Quattro
John Bellefleur Thornhill, Ont Michelin DNF
Gr 2 180 Chris Havas Richmond, VT Volkswagen Golf GTi
Eric Tremblay St Jean Chrysostome Michelin DNF
Wind River Group, Inc.
900 State Mill Road; Akron, Ohio 44319 USA; 330.644.7774; 330.645.2045
Fax
windrivr@ix.netcom.com or windriv@aol.com