Courtesy of Ken Cassidy:
Gold Rush Rally Results
October 7, 1995
Westcliffe, CO
Driver / Co-Driver Time Vehicle Class
1) Schmidt / Engstrom 01:09:44 Mazda 323 O4
2) Olson / Robinson 01:13:45 Chevy S10 O2
3) Kilpatrick / Chaloupka 01:20:15 Dodge Colt O2
4) Leone / Williams 01:20:25 AMC Eagle O4
5) Gilliard / Gilliard 01:29:23 Subaru O4
6) Golden / Seidel 01:30:37 Datsun 510 U2
7) Burrows / Starr DNF Mitsu Galant
8) Goodale / Goodale DNF Mazda RX-3
9) Burtis / Burtis DNF VW Rabbit
The rally started under georgeous, crisp, clear Colorado skies. There were 9 starters for what was a fast pace event. The well-prepared and powerful Mazda 323 of Larry Schmidt and Mary Engstrom took the lead from Stage 1 and never looked back as they won 14 of the 15 stages. In second was the O2 ( way over 2) Pikes Peak Hill Climb truck of Olson and Robinson. Veterans in many forms of racing, their 400+ horsepower truck was the only other competitor to win a stage. In third was the steady drive of Kilpatrick and Chaloupka in a Dodge Colt. Long time ralliest Nick Leone and Dr. Dan Williams were fourth in a V8 powered AMC Eagle. After suffering engine failures in their last three events the Gilliards were next as they babied their engine to their 5th place finish. Go;don and Seidel were fast throughout but suffered a miscue on Stage 10 which cost them 10 minutes. Karen Burrows was in third place at the reseed in her right hand drive Mitsubishi Galant VR4. She completed the rally but was scored as a DNF because of a co-driver change after stage three due to eye problems of regular co-driver Ken Cassidy. Veteran co- driver Ralph Starr completed the rally for her. Goodale and Goodale broke some needed steering components after a tangle with an embankment and were forced to retire. The brothers Burtis blew a head gasket after stage 2 and also parked their (winged wonder) VW Rabbit.
The event ran smoothly and ended on time at two AM.
PS: Good to see Howard Duncan and Tasha Goodale from SCCA headquarters out there as workers and competitors.