Ellenville, NY — Seamus Burke, 2006 and 2007 United States Rally Championship winner in the 4-Wheel-Drive category, begins his defense of the title at Rally New York USA (April 4-5, 2008). The Powder Springs, Georgia building contractor will be back in the same Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 that he used to win last year’s series. But there will also be some changes to the team: Eddie Fries, who worked as his co-driver last year, has retired from the sport. Burke has secured the services of California’s rally veteran Ole Holter, who will work with him for the first time in this event. Burke began rallying in his native Ireland about 30 years ago, and continued in the sport after moving to the U.S. In recent years he has risen into the top ranks among American rally drivers, and has shown skill in both gravel and pavement events. He has been a standout in Rally New York USA and the fall International Rally New York, including winning the latter event on the way to his 2007 championship. He credits part of his success there to the brisk nature of the courses through the Catskill Mountains, noting that, "I like the faster events." The soft-spoken Burke is aware that there will be serious competition from his U.S.R.C. rivals between him and a third title. But he admits that, "We’ll have a good chance at it." Rally New York organization is the promoter and the organizer of the Rally New York USA, the first round of the United States Rally Championship (www.usrallychampionship.com), scheduled for April 4 - 5, 2008 with the headquarters at the Nevele Resort in Ellenville, New York and the International Rally New York, the final round of the United States Rally Championship with a year-end Championship Awards Ceremony, which will take place on October 31 - November 1, 2008. Contact information and more information on all Rally New York events may be found at www.RallyNewYork.com.
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