Rim of the World PRO Rally
by Andy Schupack
MEDIA ALERT
Event: Rim of the World PRO Rally - Round #4 of the 1998 Michelin PRO
Rally
Championship. Race cars from around the world will compete at high
speeds through the Angeles National Forest near Palmdale,
California.
When: Friday - Saturday, May 8 - 9, 1998
Schedule - Friday
8:45 AM - Meet at Holiday Inn, 38630 5th Street West, Palmdale, CA
93551 (805) 947-8055 (Hwy. 14 at Palmdale Blvd.) for
caravan or rides to press stage. Los Angeles and San
Fernando Valley media to meet at Wendy's on Magic
Mountain
Parkway in Valencia at 8:30 AM.
9:30 AM - Press stage in Angeles National Forest - rides in rally
cars for working media followed by Toyota Racing
Development (TRD) press luncheon.
1:00 PM - Registration - Holiday Inn, Palmdale.
Tech Inspection - America's Tire Company, Valley
Central Shopping Center, Lancaster (next to Circuit City
-
Avenue J and Hwy. 14);
5:00 PM Drawing for set of Michelin Tires to benefit South
Antelope Valley Emergency Services food pantry and A.V.
Child Abuse Prevention Council - to be held at America's
Tire Company in Lancaster.
7:00 PM - Display of rally vehicles - Holiday Inn - Palmdale
7:15 PM - Start - Day #1: Rim of the World PRO Rally -
Short slalom course for spectators;
Holiday Inn - Palmdale
11:55 PM - Finish - Day #1: Rim of the World PRO Rally -
Holiday Inn - Palmdale
Chili dinner hosted by
Raybestos Brakes and Monte's Auto Parts
Schedule - Saturday
9:30 AM - Rally car displays, music, America's Tire Co. t-shirts,
racing souvenirs, etc. - Holiday Inn - Palmdale;
NEW FOR '98-->Charity Rallysprint gives public a chance to ride in a
rally car at speed with $20 donation to charities above -
helmets provided - rides start at 9:45 AM and will sell
out quickly.
12:15 PM - Awards for Friday's stages - Holiday Inn - Palmdale
1:00 PM - Start - Day #2: Rim of the World PRO Rally, Holiday Inn
5:30 PM - Service stop, dinner break (public invited for dinner -
$5.00) - Lake Hughes Community Club
8:15 PM - First car start - night section
10:30 PM - Finish: Rim of the World PRO Rally -
Holiday Inn - Palmdale
Where: Rally headquarters will be at the Holiday Inn in Palmdale.
A list of public viewing areas for the rally is available starting
May 8 from the Holiday Inn in Palmdale, and America's Tire Company
in Lancaster. Prior information can be obtained by calling the
contact people below.
Duration: 104 stage miles, 263 total miles, 12 stages
Rank: Full National Rally, sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America
and
sponsored by Michelin Tire Corporation. Presented by the California
Sports Car Club Region of the Sports Car Club of America, and
conducted by Rim of the World PRO Rally Committee, Paula Gibeault -
Chairperson.
Television Coverage: The 1998 Rim of the World PRO Rally will be shown on
ESPN2, now with coverage in 51.8 million homes, on
the
following air date:
Friday, May 29, 1998 - 3:30 PM (PDT)
(several re-broadcasts are likely)
The ESPN2 coverage is produced by Replica Productions
of Cambridge, Mass., Doug Plumer, executive producer.
(617) 492-7444.
Expected Top National Entries: Paul Choiniere, seven-time defending
national champion, in 1997 4WD Hyundai Tiburon, won first two series
events, in Washington; Carl Merrill, in North America's fastest rally
car - 410 h.p. Ford Escort Cosworth 4WD; Rui Brasil, Open class Audi
Quattro S-2 -brand new car/won Doo Wop II & IV divisional earlier this
spring; David Summerbell, Kingston, Jamaica, Mitsubishi Lancer
Evolution IV, only second time ever in U.S.; Tony Takaori, from Kyoto,
Japan, in new Mitsubishi Evolution III, has finished as high as second
in previous U.S.appearances; Henry Joy, last year's Rim winner,
semi-retired, in one of only two appearances this year in his Lancer
Evo II; Ralph Kosmides, in a new Group 5 Toyota Supra twin turbo - won
class in March at Doo Wops; Hiroyuki Genta, from Kyoto, Japan,
finished second overall at last year's Prescott event in a Subaru
Impreza; Lee Shadbolt - held first place most of '97 in Production GT
-in a Subaru Impreza; Garen Shrader - veteran divisional competitor -
in a new Merkur Sierra Cosworth Open class car; David White, leading
2WD Overall in a Group 2 class VW GTI; LOCAL DRIVERS: Dennis Chizma in
a Production GT-class Mitsubishi 3000GT - might be "widest" car in the
event; Tony Chavez - brand new Mitsubishi Galant VR4 Open class - won
Tijuana Grand Prix in March; Vartan Samuelian -Open class Mitsubishi
Eclipse 4WD - won overall at '97 Gorman Ridge event; Lon Peterson,
perennial favorite in older Plymouth Arrow.
Visuals: There will be escorts to take photographers and video crews onto
the course during the daylight part of the rally on Saturday.
Anyone requiring supplied photos or video should contact Andy
Schupack in the press room starting May 6. Rally cars going
through water, 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 lobby of the Holiday
Inn,
Palmdale.
Contact: Andy Schupack - national series media liaison:
(401) 739-5677 (now thru May 5 and after May 10)
(805) 947-8365 (May 6 - 10) - event press room
Paula Gibeault - Rim of the World PRO Rally Committee Chairperson
(619) 375-8704 (now thru May 5 and after May 10)
On the Web: Michelin PRO Rally series information and results:
SCCA Official Web page - <www.scca.com/amateur/prorally>
Rim of the World home page - <www.av.qnet.com/~teamhke/rim>
# # #
Round #4 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
RIM OF THE WORLD PRO RALLY - Palmdale, California
Preliminary Entry List (May 6 - 7:00 PM PDT)
Start Car Driver/ Co-Driver/ Make/Model/Class/
Pos. No. Hometown Hometown Division/Tires
1 1 Paul Choiniere Jeff Becker Hyundai Tiburon/Open
Shelburne, VT Great Neck, NY National/Michelin
2 2 Henry Joy Michael Fennell Mitsubishi Lancer Evo II
Atlanta, MI Kingston, Jamaica National/Michelin
3 3 Carl Merrill Lance Smith Ford Escort Cosworth/Open
Ogunquit, ME Colchester, VT National/Michelin
4 41 Rui Brasil Carlos Tavares Audi Quattro S-2/Open
San Jose, CA San Jose, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
5 18 Dave Sommerbell Chris Griffin Mitsubishi Lancer
Kingston, Jamaica Burbank, CA Evolution IV/Open
6 26 Hiroyuki Genta Kazmasa Takata Subaru Impreza/Open
Kyoto, JAPAN Kyoto, JAPAN National/Dunlop
7 11 Ralph Kosmides Joe Noyes Toyota Supra/Group 5
Newport Beach, CA Bothell, WA National/Michelin
8 15 Dave White W. David Watts VW GTI/Group 2
Benicia, CA Carson City, NV Nat./Div./Michelin
9 27 Tony Takaori Ken Cassidy Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III
Kyoto, JAPAN Tempe, AZ National/Michelin
10 33 Lon Peterson Jim Love Plymouth Arrow/Open
Victorville, CA Chino Hills, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
11 8 Bill Malik Christian Edstrom Volvo 240/Group 2
Burbank, CA Los Angeles, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
12 34 Carl Jardevall Amity Trowbridge Volvo 740/Group 5
San Carlos, CA Seattle, WA National/Michelin
13 20 George Plsek Mark Rathsam Saab 99 Turbo/Group 5
Del Mar, CA Del Mar, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
14 117 Ken Stewart Jim Dale Chevy S-10 Pickup/Open
Grove, OK Conway, AK Nat./Div./Cooper
15 22 Vartan Samuelian Art Manoukian Mitsubishi Eclipse/Open
Pasadena, CA Pasadena, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
16 85 Tony Chavez Marcelo Mancilla Mitsubishi Galant/Open
Santa Fe Springs, CA Ensenada, MEXICO Nat./Div./Michelin
17 65 Dennis Chizma Claire Marie Mitsubishi 3000GT/Prod. GT
Newhall, CA Newhall, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
18 79 Lee Shadbolt Paul Eklund Subaru Impreza/Prod. GT
Tigard, OR Tigard, OR National/Michelin
19 30 Kendall Russell Lynn Dillon Dodge Shadow/Prod. GT
Knoxville, TN Indianapolis, IN National/Michelin
20 31 Gerry Valentini Lee Sorenson Mazda RX-7/Group 5
Sacramento, CA Fair Oaks, CA National/Michelin
21 35 Mark Brown William Neundorfer Toyota Corolla/Prod.
Mesa, AZ Mesa, AZ Nat./Div.
22 19 Ben Medeiros Tony Medeiros Mazda 323GTX/Open
Walnut Creek, CA Walnut Creek, CA Nat./Div.
23 45 Arthur Odero-Jowi Jim Hurley Mitsubishi Eclipse/Prod. GT
Arlington, TX Knoxville, TN Nat./Div.
24 64 Pete Morris Nick Taylor Toyota Corolla/Production
Los Angeles, CA Nat./Div.
25 16 Tom Bier Ole Holter Saab 99/Group 2
Solano Beach, CA Long Beach, CA Nat./Div.
26 66 Doug Robinson Bill Hidde Mazda RX-7/Group 5
Ramona, CA San Diego, CA Nat./Div.
27 25 Fred Ronn John Dillon Toyota Celica/Group 2
Agoura, CA Thousand Oaks, CA Nat./Div.
28 14 Garen Schrader Doc Schrader Ford Sierra Cosworth/Open
West Memphis, AR West Memphis, AR National/Michelin
29 21 Trevor Donison Catherine Roso Plymouth Neon/Production
Vancouver, WA Portland, OR Nat./Div./Michelin
Divisional Only
30 54 Ron Wood Kelly Walsh Audi Quattro/4WD
Costa Mesa, CA Costa Mesa, CA Divisional
31 46 Peter Workum Bill Gutzmann Plymouth Arrow/02
Calgary, ALB Ontario, CA Divisional
32 23 Bobby Whitman-Webb Donna Mitchell Datsun 510/02
San Jose, CA Moorpark, CA Divisional
33 24 Mick Kilpatrick James Gillaspy Dodge Colt Turbo/02
Durango, CO Durango, CO Divisional
34 40 Robert Tallini TBA Toyota Corolla/U2
Downey, CA Divisional
35 37 Tony Dela Cuesta Bong Santiago Toyota Corolla/U2
Simi Valley, CA West Hills, CA Divisional
36 55 Robert Pendergrass Jon Weigley Chevy Blazer/4WD
Palos Verdes, CA Lawndale, CA Divisional
37 323 Paul Timmerman Suzanne Martin Mazda 323GTX/4WD
Altadena, CA Altadena, CA Divisional
38 32 Chris Bradshaw TBA Mazda RX-7/02
Van Nuys, CA Divisional
39 47 Bruce Brown Pat Brown Mazda 323GTX/4WD
Gaviota, CA Gaviota, CA Divisional
40 777 Alex Tissot Violet Tissot Volvo 242/U2
Valencia, Ca Valencia, CA Divisional
41 48 Paul Bojinov Julian Ragalie Mazda RX-7/02
San Diego, CA San Diego, CA Divisional
42 49 Bradney Boli Gary Garman Honda Accord/U2
Claremont, CA La Verne, CA Divisional
43 50 Eric Oyague Alfredo Oyague Toyota Corolla/U2
Van Nuys, CA Northridge, CA Divisional
44 51 Robert Shibao Mark Gabler Mazda GLC/U2
Torrance, CA lawndale, CA Divisional
45 52 Steve Bender Craig McHugh VW Rabbit/U2
Corona Del Mar, CA Irvine, CA Divisional
# # #
Rim of the World PRO Rally
Round #4 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Palmdale, California
Press Notes #1 - Thursday, May 7 - 2:00 PM PDT
1. Welcome to the Antelope Valley - north and east of Los Angeles -
for the 15th running of the Rim of the World PRO Rally, round #4 of the
Michelin PRO Rally Championship. Although El Nino has taken its toll
on the roads - washing out the dirt between the large rocks on roads
that are already rough (details below), Rim will be run this weekend
under clear skies and comfortable (70's F) temps. The wind has been
gusting, and that might keep the dust down, although a breeze does not
always get to the canyons where the rally runs in the Angeles national
Forest.
2. A couple of late-breaking stories:
--Paul Choiniere, from Shelburne, Vermont, winner of six Michelin PRO
Rally national championships in a row, will not be coming west to run
his Hyundai Tiburon at Rim. Choiniere aggravated an old rib injury
at home last week, and compounded the condition by contracting the
flu. With this being the roughest event on the circuit, and his
nearest rival - Carl Merrill - off to a slow start, Paul decided to
skip this event and aim for the Susquehannock Trail PRO Rally in
Pennsylvania in early June. Choiniere's car owner, step-dad and 11-
time PRO Rally national champion John Buffum will step in to the
driver's seat with regular co-driver Jeff Becker. Both Buffum and
Choiniere ran Hyundais at the Wild West PRO Rally last month in
Washington state, with Buffum leading most of the event, but stepping
aside at the last stage to allow Choiniere to gain the driver's
points. Buffum finished second in that event. Buffum won the very
first Rim of the World event with co-driver and ex-wife Vicki Buffum
in 1976.
--Speaking of the Wild West PRO Rally, Replica Productions informed us
this morning that, because of the NHL Hockey playoffs, the Wild West
PRO Rally telecast, originally scheduled on ESPN2 for Saturday, May 9
at 6:30 PM EDT, will now air the same day on ESPN2 at 11:00 PM EDT.
--Health unrelated to racing has also made the Ford Sierra Cosworth of
Garen (son) and Doc (father) Shrader a scratch as Doc has pneumonia.
Garen crashed what was a new car three weeks ago at Wild West, but
Dave Clark Motorsports in Seattle had rebuilt the suspension and
fixed the bodywork in time for this event had Doc not taken ill.
--Because the rough and wet conditions, the Friday night stages have
been re-routed, with the competitors running each of the first three
stages twice. The cancellation of the original stage #4 due to mud
and rock slides, and possible fog on Friday night, changes the start
time at the Holiday Inn Palmdale from 7:15 PM to 6:45 PM for the
demonstration stage on Friday night.
# # #
Round #4 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
RIM OF THE WORLD PRO RALLY - Palmdale, California
Final Entry/Start List
Start Car Driver/ Co-Driver/ Make/Model/Class/
Pos. No. Hometown Hometown Division/Tires
1 2 Henry Joy Michael Fennell Mitsubishi Lancer Evo II
Atlanta, MI Kingston, Jamaica National/Michelin
2 3 Carl Merrill Lance Smith Ford Escort Cosworth/Open
Ogunquit, ME Colchester, VT National/Michelin
3 1 John Buffum Jeff Becker Hyundai Tiburon/Open
S. Burlington,VT Great Neck, NY National/Michelin
4 41 Rui Brasil Carlos Tavares Audi Quattro S-2/Open
San Jose, CA San Jose, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
5 77 Dave Summerbell Chris Griffin Mitsubishi Lancer
Kingston, Jamaica Burbank, CA Evolution IV/Open
6 26 Hiroyuki Genta Kazmasa Takata Subaru Impreza/Open
Kyoto, JAPAN Kyoto, JAPAN National/Dunlop
7 11 Ralph Kosmides Joe Noyes Toyota Supra/Group 5
Newport Beach, CA Bothell, WA National/Michelin
8 15 Dave White W. David Watts VW GTI/Group 2
Benicia, CA Carson City, NV Nat./Div./Michelin
9 27 Tony Takaori Ken Cassidy Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III
Kyoto, JAPAN Tempe, AZ National/Michelin
10 33 Lon Peterson Jim Love Plymouth Arrow/Group 5
Victorville, CA Chino Hills, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
11 8 Bill Malik Christian Edstrom Volvo 240/Group 2
Burbank, CA Los Angeles, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
12 34 Carl Jardevall Amity Trowbridge Volvo 740/Group 5
San Carlos, CA Seattle, WA National/Michelin
13 20 George Plsek Mark Rathsam Saab 99 Turbo/Group 5
Del Mar, CA Del Mar, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
14 22 Vartan Samuelian Art Manoukian Mitsubishi Eclipse/Open
Pasadena, CA Pasadena, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
15 85 Tony Chavez Marcelo Mancilla Mitsubishi Galant/Open
Santa Fe Springs, CA Ensenada, MEXICO Nat./Div./Michelin
16 65 Dennis Chizma Claire Marie Mitsubishi 3000GT/Prod. GT
Newhall, CA Newhall, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
17 79 Lee Shadbolt Paul Eklund Subaru Impreza/Prod. GT
Tigard, OR Tigard, OR National/Michelin
18 30 Kendall Russell Lynn Dillon Dodge Shadow/Prod. GT
Knoxville, TN Indianapolis, IN National/Michelin
19 31 Gerry Valentini Lee Sorenson Mazda RX-7/Group 5
Sacramento, CA Fair Oaks, CA National/Michelin
20 35 Mark Brown William Neundorfer Toyota Corolla/Prod.
Mesa, AZ Mesa, AZ Nat./Div.
21 19 Ben Medeiros Tony Medeiros Mazda 323GTX/Open
Walnut Creek, CA Walnut Creek, CA Nat./Div.
22 45 Arthur Odero-Jowi Farina O'Sullivan Mitsubishi Eclipse/Prod. GT
Arlington, TX San Fran., CA Nat./Div.
23 53 Pete Morris Nick Taylor Toyota Corolla/Group 2
Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA Nat./Div.
24 16 Tom Bier Ole Holter Saab 99/Group 2
Solano Beach, CA Long Beach, CA Nat./Div.
25 66 Doug Robinson Bill Hidde Mazda RX-7/Group 5
Ramona, CA San Diego, CA Nat./Div.
26 25 Fred Ronn John Dillon Toyota Celica/Group 2
Agoura, CA Thousand Oaks, CA Nat./Div.
27 21 Trevor Donison Ben Bradley Plymouth Neon/Production
Vancouver, WA Portland, OR Nat./Div./Michelin
Divisional Only
28 54 Ron Wood Kelly Walsh Audi Quattro/4WD
Costa Mesa, CA Costa Mesa, CA Divisional
29 46 Peter Workum Bill Gutzmann Plymouth Arrow/02
Calgary, ALB Ontario, CA Divisional
30 23 Mike Whitman Donna Mitchell Datsun 510/02
Farmington, NM Moorpark, CA Divisional
31 24 Mick Kilpatrick James Gillaspy Dodge Colt Turbo/02
Durango, CO Durango, CO Divisional
32 40 Robert Tallini Steve Scott Toyota Corolla/U2
Downey, CA La Crescenta, CA Divisional
33 37 Tony Dela Cuesta Bong Santiago Toyota Corolla/U2
Simi Valley, CA West Hills, CA Divisional
34 55 Robert Pendergrass Jon Weigley Chevy Blazer/4WD
Palos Verdes, CA Lawndale, CA Divisional
35 33 Ricky DelaCuesta J.D. Recto Mitsubishi Starion/U2
Van Nuys, CA Hollywood, CA Divisional
36 323 Paul Timmerman Suzanne Martin Mazda 323GTX/4WD
Altadena, CA Altadena, CA Divisional
37 777 Alex Tissot Violet Tissot Volvo 242/U2
Valencia, Ca Valencia, CA Divisional
38 48 Paul Bojinov Julian Ragalie Mazda RX-7/02
San Diego, CA San Diego, CA Divisional
39 311 Bradney Boli Gary Garman Honda Accord/U2
Claremont, CA La Verne, CA Divisional
40 50 Eric Oyague Alfredo Oyague Toyota Corolla/U2
Van Nuys, CA Northridge, CA Divisional
41 51 Robert Shibao Mark Gabler Mazda GLC/U2
Torrance, CA lawndale, CA Divisional
42 52 Steve Bender Craig McHugh VW Rabbit/U2
Corona Del Mar, CA Irvine, CA Divisional
43 56 Jonathan Highbolt Erick Hauge Mitsubishi Eclipse/4WD
Manhatten Beach, CA Napa, CA Divisional
* 47 Bruce Brown Pat Brown Mazda 323GTX/4WD
Gaviota, CA Gaviota, CA Divisional
# # #
*Saturday only
Rim of the World PRO Rally
Round #4 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Palmdale, California
Press Notes #2 - Friday, May 8 - 11:00 PM PDT
3. The media stage always brings adventure, and this mornings' event was
no exception. The Lee Shadbolt/Paul Eklund Subaru Impreza Production
GT car slid off the rough and wet Spunky Canyon road into a mud
puddle and bent a control arm. They replaced it right there, and
headed back to town for the start of the rally.
4. Everyone (27 national cars and 17 divisional-only entries) started
the 2nd-annual demonstration stage in front of the Holiday Inn in fine
shape, and headed to the woods for stage #1. That's where the fun
ended, however, as the heavy fog from the cool air and moist stage
surfaces caused the cancellation of stages #2, #4, #5, and #6. For the
divisional cars, only stage #3 was run. The following times represent
the total of stages #1 and #3.
NATIONAL STANDINGS AFTER THREE STAGES - INFORMATIONAL ONLY
(no road points or penalties included)
CAR
# (DRIVER/CO-DRIVER) CAR SEED SCORE
26 Hiroyuki Genta/K Takata Subaru 1 21:38 1 Open
77 D Summerbell/C Griffin Lancer IV 1 22:33 2 Open
2 Henry Joy/Michael Fennell Lancer II 0 23:28 3 Open
41 Rui Brasil/Carlos Tavares Quattro 1 23:57 4 Open
1 John Buffum/Jeff Becker Hyundai 0 24:29 5 Open
3 Carl Merrill/Lance Smith Escort 0 25:49 6 Open
15 David White/David Watts VW GTI 1 26:09 1 Group 2
27 Tony Takaori/Ken Cassidy Lancer III 2 26:22 7 Open
11 Ralph Kosmides/Joe Noyes Supra 1 28:09 1 Group 5
79 Lee Shadbolt/Paul Eklund Impreza 4 28:13 1 GT
33 Lon Peterson/Jim Love Arrow 2 28:54 2 Group 5
65 Dennis Chizma/C Marie 3000 GT 4 28:57 2 GT
85 Tony Chavez/M Mancilla Galant VR4 4 29:58 8 Open
22 V Samuelian/A Manoukian Eclipse 4 30:36 9 Open
34 C Jardevall/A Trowbridge Volvo 740T 3 30:57 3 Group 5
35 Mark Brown/W Neundorfer Corolla 4 30:58 1 Production
20 George Plsek/Mark Rathsam Saab 99 3 31:28 4 Group 5
31 G Valentini/L Sorenson Mazda RX-7 4 31:53 5 Group 5
30 Kendall Russell/L Dillon Shadow 4 33:12 3 GT
16 Tom Bier/Ole Holter Saab 99 6 33:32 2 Group 2
53 Pete Morris/Nick Taylor Corolla 6 33:48 3 Group 2
21 Trevor Donison/B Bradley Neon 6 33:54 2 Production
45 A Odero-Jowi/F O'Sullivan Eclipse 6 34:12 4 GT
25 Fred Ronn/John Dillon Celica 6 34:13 4 Group 2
66 Doug Robinson/Bill Hidde Mazda RX-7 6 35:22 6 Group 5
19 Ben Medeiros/T Medeiros Mazda 323 6 35:36 10 Open
8 Bill Malik/C Edstrom Volvo 240 2 DNF
# # #
Rim of the World PRO Rally
Round #4 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Palmdale, California
Press Notes #3 - Friday, May 8 - 11:55 PM PDT
5. INFO NATIONAL STAGES TIMES
STAGE 1 STAGE 3
H.Gent 1589 J.Buff 553
D.Summ 1692 6% H.Joy 554 0%
H.Joy 1793 12%
R.Bras 1794 12% D.Summ 564 1%
J.Buff 1896 19% H.Gent 575 3%
T.Taka 1994 25% C.Merr 585 5%
C.Merr 1998 25% D.Whit 596 7%
D.Whit 2019 27% C.Jard 601 8%
L.Shad 2154 35% R.Bras 602 8%
R.Kosm 2205 38% R.Kosm 611 10%
D.Chiz 2258 42% L.Pete 625 13%
L.Pete 2265 42% G.Plse 626 13%
T.Chav 2360 48% V.Samu 632 14%
M.Brow 2383 49% M.Whit 635 14%
V.Samu 2428 52% D.Chiz 637 15%
G.Vale 2487 56% T.Chav 638 15%
C.Jard 2495 57% T.Taka 644 16%
G.Plse 2522 58% A.Oder 664 20%
M.Whit 2564 61% L.Shad 668 20%
K.Russ 2591 63% F.Ronn 672 21%
T.Bier 2640 66% B.Mede 681 23%
T.Doni 2645 66% D.Robi 683 23%
P.Morr 2650 66% G.Vale 702 26%
F.Ronn 2750 73% T.Bier 714 29%
A.Oder 2756 73% M.Brow 715 29%
D.Robi 2854 79% K.Russ 729 31%
B.Mede 2880 81% P.Work 729 31%
P.Work 3459 117% P.Morr 730 32%
T.Doni 746 34%
Rim of the World PRO Rally
Round #4 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Palmdale, California
Press Notes #4 - Saturday, May 9, 1:00 AM PDT
6. INFO Divisional Results (stage #3 only):
CAR
# (DRIVER/CO-DRIVER) CAR SEED SCORE
15 David White/David Watts VW GTI 1 05:57 1 Two WD 1 U2
41 Rui Brasil/Carlos Tavares Quattro 1 06:01 1 4WD 1 4WD
33 Lon Peterson/Jim Love Arrow 1 06:15 2 Two WD 1 O2
323 Paula Timmerman/S Martin Mazda 323 4 06:15 2 4WD 2 4WD
20 George Plsek/Mark Rathsam Saab 99 2 06:15 3 Two WD 2 O2
40 Robert Tallini/S Scott Corolla 3 06:15 4 Two WD 2 U2
22 V Samuelian/A Manoukian Eclipse 1 06:19 3 4WD 3 4WD
23 Mike Whitman/D Mitchell Datsun 510 3 06:21 5 Two WD 3 U2
65 Dennis Chizma/C Marie 3000 GT 1 06:22 4 4WD 4 4WD
85 Tony Chavez/M Mancilla Galant VR4 2 06:22 5 4WD 5 4WD
45 A Odero-Jowi/F O'Sullivan Eclipse 3 06:38 6 4WD 6 4WD
55 R Pendergrass/J Weigley Blazer 3 06:39 7 4WD 7 4WD
25 Fred Ronn/John Dillon Celica 4 06:43 1 Perf Stk 3 O2
54 Ron Wood/Kelly Walsh Quattro 1 06:43 8 4WD 8 4WD
38 Ricky DelaCuesta/J Recto Lancer 3 06:43 6 Two WD 4 U2
19 Ben Medeiros/T Medeiros Mazda 323 4 06:48 9 4WD 9 4WD
66 Doug Robinson/Bill Hidde Mazda RX-7 4 06:49 2 Perf Stk 4 O2
37 T DelaCuesta/B Santiago Corolla 3 06:54 3 Perf Stk 5 U2
50 Eric Oyague/A Oyague Corolla 6 06:55 1 Stock 6 U2
24 M Kilpatrick/J Gillaspy Dodge Colt 3 06:59 7 Two WD 5 O2
311 Bradney Boli/Gary Garman Accord 6 07:00 4 Perf Stk 7 U2
29 Rod Koch/Roger Allison VW Fastbak 3 07:04 8 Two WD 6 O2
16 Tom Bier/Ole Holter Saab 99 4 07:08 9 Two WD 8 U2
35 Mark Brown/W Neundorfer Corolla 3 07:09 5 Perf Stk 9 U2
51 Robert Shibao/Matt Gabler Mazda GLC 6 07:09 2 Stock 10 U2
56 Jonathan Highbolt/E Huage Eclipse 6 07:09 10 4WD 10 4WD
46 Peter Workum/B Gutzmann Arrow 3 07:17 10 Two WD 7 O2
53 Pete Morris/Nick Taylor Corolla 3 07:18 11 Two WD 11 U2
21 Trevor Donison/B Bradley Neon 3 07:27 6 Perf Stk 12 U2
48 Paul Bojinov/J Ragalie Mazda RX-7 6 09:01 12 Two WD 8 O2
8 Bill Malik/C Edstrom Volvo 240 1 DNF
47 Bruce Brown/Pat Brown Mazda 323 6 DNF
777 Alex Tissot/Violet Tissot Volvo 242 6 DNF
52 Steve Bender/Craig McHugh VW Rabbit 6 DNF
# # #
Rim of the World PRO Rally
Round #4 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Palmdale, California
Press Notes #5 - Saturday, May 9, 1:00 PM PDT
7. If everyone is not thoroughly confused by the cryptic press notes so
far, we will try to restore some order.
8. As mentioned before, the wet ground and cold temperatures caused fog
that was so bad that, according to Mitsubishi Eclipse driver Vartan
Samuelian, "I couldn't see my co-driver." The national drivers bumbled
through stage #1, but more often stuck together for cumulative use of
candlepower than for sheer speed competition.
--Ralph Kosmides/Joe Noyes Toyota Supra went off the course early in
the stage and bent its light bar - a fatal mistake in the soup-like
fog. Kosmides got back on the road, and hugged the bumper of the
Dave White/David Watts VW GTI to find its way, but White got going
too fast and lost Kosmides around a corner. Ralph had to pull over
to wait for the next "seeing-eye" competitor, and finally finished
the stage.
--By the time the nationals finished stage #1, and it was time for the
divisional competitors to run, it was so foggy that the rest of the
stage was cancelled and cars transited through. Stage #2 was
cancelled for everyone, and everyone ran stage #3 - so the divisional
cars only ran one stage for their coefficient 2 event.
9. The only national DNF was the Bill Malik/Christian Edstrom Volvo 240,
which broke a driveshaft on stage three. The Coffee Fresh crew
replaced it overnight, and Malik will run the divisional today.
10. The Rim of the World event is also known for its non-racing
entertainment as well, and this year's event is no exception.
A set of Michelin tires was awarded yesterday at America's Tire Company
location in Lancaster - the host for tech - from a raffle which raised
money for the South Antelope Valley Emergency Services Food Pantry
(S.A.V.E.S.) and the Antelope Valley Child Abuse Prevention Council.
More money was raised for both charities this morning when both
national drivers and divisional competitors gave rallysprint rides to
the public for a minimum $20.00 donation - an event which raised more
than $1,000.00 in less than 90 minutes.
Friday night divisional awards yielded prizes from MSAS Cargo
International ($500 cash); UniFilter, Inc. ($100 cash); Del Taco
($100 cash); Yarman Drivelines ($100 cash); Susquehanna MotorSports
($50 gift certificate); A.V. Sport Truck and Off-Road Center (set of
Explorer Lights); GRASSROOTS MOTORSPORTS Magazine (subscriptions and t-
shirts); Torco Racing Gas (cases of 10-40 Torco Racing Oil). This was
all just for Friday night divisional competitors. Other Rim contingecy
sponsors included Coffee Fresh U.S.A., DUSTY TIMES Magazine, Valvoline
Oil, Budweiser/Antelope Valley Distributing, Reybestos Brake Parts and
Rallysport Motorsports videos and books.
# # #
Rim of the World PRO Rally
Round #4 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Palmdale, California
Press Notes #6 - Saturday, May 9, 5:00 PM PDT
11. Other notes from Friday night:
--The Tony Chavez/Marcelo Mancilla Open class Mitsubishi Galant
blew a turbo gasket on stage #3, and was saved by the concellation of
the remaining stages - saving him a DNF. The problem was fixed
overnight, and Tony is still in the hunt.
--Ditto for Tony Takaori/Ken Cassity, who have orchestrated the North
American debut of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III rally car this
weekend, who broke a fuel pump last night an barely limped home after
state #3. The pump was replaced overnight, and Takaori was ready for
action today. Unfortunately, he has surgury scheduled in Japan for
first thing Monday morning (he is a surgeon specializing in
pancreatic procedures), and will have to drop out after the Lake
Hughes service/dinner break after completing stage #10 to catch a
plane home to Kyoto, Japan. Takaori will leave the car in this
country, and hopes to compete in the Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally later
this summer in Minnesota.
12. Although the rally re-started at 1:00 PM today under sunny skies,
reports from the first two stages indicate that fog and cold will be
the order of the day. The fog, reported to allow a 200-ft.
visibility, is certainly lighter than last night's, and might clear
before the rally is done.
13. After stage 8 (the first two stages today), two of the leading cars
are in trouble. The John Buffum/Jeff Becker Hyundai Tiburon, which
was running fourth about three minutes out of the lead, lost its rear
crossmember and was forced to retire. Buffum, who was beginning to
make time up on the leaders after last night, was subbing for Paul
Choiniere, who was home with the flu.
14. The Rui Brasil/Carlos Tavares Audi Quattro S-2 went off the road on
stage #8, damaging the left-front. Although Rui had not arrived at
service at the normal time, he was not an official DNF at the time of
this report - but he will certainly lose lots of time to the leaders.
Here are the leaders after stage #8:
CAR
# (DRIVER/CO-DRIVER) CAR SEED SCORE Class
26 Hiroyuki Genta/K Takata Subaru 1 34.95 Open
77 D Summerbell/C Griffin Lancer IV 1 35:81 Open
2 Henry Joy/Michael Fennell Lancer II 0 36.78 Open
3 Carl Merrill/Lance Smith Escort 0 38.85 Open
# # #
Rim of the World PRO Rally
Round #4 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Palmdale, California
Press Notes #7 - Saturday, May 9, 7:00 PM PDT
15. More on the Buffum DNF. The crossmember, put in over the winter, gave
no indication is was going to give way. In fact, as rough as the
rally has been, Buffum/Becker did not hit anything, so this was just
"fate of fatigue." Buffum said the part broke approx. three miles
from the end of the stage, and they dragged the rear end that far, but
it would have been another seven miles on pavement to service - and
the team did not have the heavy-duty welding equipment to affect the
repair even if they could have made it.
16. Henry Joy/Michael Fennell have reported rear end problems, and,
although they were trying to fix it at service after stage #10, it
looks like they will be unable to continue in the Mitsubishi Lancer
Evolution II. More details as we get them.
17. We also have a report that the Dave White/David Watts VW GTI, which had
been leading Group 2 and was running fourth overall, is out of the
event, but we have no details yet.
18. National Leaders after ten stages:
CAR
# (DRIVER/CO-DRIVER) CAR SEED SCORE CLASS
26 Hiroyuki Genta/K Takata Subaru 1 1:31:52 1 Open
77 D Summerbell/C Griffin Lancer IV 1 1:32:15 2 Open
3 Carl Merrill/Lance Smith Escort 0 1:35:50 3 Open
11 R Kosmides/J Noyes Supra 1 1:44:14 1 Group 5
33 L Peterson/J Love Arrow 2 1:44:24 2 Group 5
34 C Jardevall/A Trowbridge Volvo 740T 3 1:45:14 3 Group 5
# # #
Rim of the World PRO Rally
Round #4 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Palmdale, California
Press Notes #8 - Saturday, May 9, 11:00 PM PDT
19. The Rim of the World PRO Rally's 15th edition is now over, and the
David Summerbell/Chris Griffin Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV overcame
the early lead built up by Hiroyuki Genta/Kazmasa Takata Subaru
Impreza to win the event by 21 seconds.
Summerbell, from Kingston, Jamaica, in only his second U.S. rally,
was trailing Genta by 22 seconds after 10 stages, but made up the time
a little at a time to take the lead with one stage to go. Genta had
built up an early lead on Friday night by dominating the field in the
fog on Friday night.
"I saw fog rolling in on the last stage," said Summerbell, "and I
thought to myself 'here we go again.' So I drove like I was behind,
and it paid off."
Genta's car had no clutch at the end, but his Impreza ran perfectly
all day - impressing both spectators and competitors with his driving
in the rough conditions.
Carl Merrill/Lance Smith were third overall in their Ford Escort
Cosworth, five minutes behind Genta, while Group 5 winner Ralph
Kosmides/Joe Noyes were fourth overall - five minutes ahead of the
Lon Peterson/Jim Love Plymouth Arrow in class.
Final Results - Rim of the World National event
CAR
# (DRIVER/CO-DRIVER) CAR SEED SCORE CLASS
77 D Summerbell /C Griffin Lancer IV 1 1:59:59 1 Open
26 Hiroyuki Genta/K Takata Subaru 1 2:00:19 2 Open
3 Carl Merrill/Lance Smith Escort 0 2:07:43 3 Open
11 R Kosmides/J Noyes Supra 1 2:14:36 1 Group 5
22 V Samuelian/A Manoukian Eclipse 4 2:19:12 4 Open
33 L Peterson/J Love Arrow 2 2:20:09 2 Group 5
85 Tony Chavez/M Mancilla Galant VR4 4 2:20:28 5 Open
20 George Plsek/Mark Rathsam Saab 99 3 2:21:06 3 Group 5
79 Lee Shadbolt/Paul Eklund Impreza 4 2:27:03 1 GT
25 F Ronn /J Dillon Celica 6 2:27:21 1 Group 2
66 D Robinson/B Hidde Mazda RX-7 6 2:30:20 4 Group 5
31 G Valentini/L Sorenson Mazda RX-7 4 2:31:21 5 Group 5
16 Tom Bier/Ole Holter Saab 99 6 2:35:33 2 Group 2
35 M Brown /W NeundorCorolla 4 2:39:18 1 Production
53 Pete Morris/Nick Taylor Corolla 6 2:46:27 3 Group 2
15 David White/David Watts VW GTI 1 2:46:43 4 Group 2
65 Dennis Chizma/C Marie 3000 GT 4 2:59:12 2 GT
21 Trevor Donison/B Bradley Neon 6 3:13:12 2 Production
30 K Russell/L Dillon Shadow 4 4:18:18 3 GT
1 J Buffum /J Becker Hyundai 0 rear crossmember
2 Henry Joy/Michael Fennell Lancer II 0 transmission
41 Rui Brasil/Carlos Tavares Quattro 1 crash
45 A Odero-Jowi/F O'Sullivan Eclipse 6 cooling fan
27 Tony Takaori/Ken Cassidy Lancer III 2 catch a plane
8 Bill Malik/C Edstrom Volvo 240 2 driftshaft
34 C Jardevall/A Trowbridge Volvo 740T 3 rear end
19 Ben Medeiros/T Medeiros Mazda 323 6 engine
# # #
Rim of the World PRO Rally
Round #4 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Palmdale, California
Press Notes #9 - Sunday, May 10, 6:00 AM PDT
20. Rim Saturday Second Divisional:
Final Results
CAR
# (DRIVER/CO-DRIVER) CAR SEED SCORE
34 C Jardevall/A Trowbridge Volvo 740T 1 1:14:16 1 Two WD 1 O2
33 L Peterson/J Love Arrow 1 1:15:30 2 Two WD 2 O2
22 V Samuelian/A Manoukian Eclipse 1 1:16:40 1 4WD 1 4WD
20 George Plsek/Mark Rathsam Saab 99 2 1:16:51 3 Two WD 3 O2
25 F Ronn/J Dillon Celica 4 1:17:55 4 Two WD 4 O2
54 Ron Wood/Kelly Walsh Quattro 1 1:18:42 2 4WD 2 4WD
85 Tony Chavez/M Mancilla Galant VR4 2 1:18:50 3 4WD 3 4WD
66 D Robinson/B Hidde Mazda RX-7 4 1:18:52 1 Perf Stk 5 O2
323 Paul Timmerman/S Martin Mazda 323 4 1:20:37 4 4WD 4 4WD
40 Robert Tallini/S Scott Corolla 3 1:22:39 5 Two WD 1 U2
16 Tom Bier/Ole Holter Saab 99 4 1:24:22 6 Two WD 2 U2
51 Robert Shibao/Matt Gabler Mazda GLC 6 1:26:16 1 Stock 3 U2
56 Jonathan Highbolt/E Huage Eclipse 6 1:26:17 5 4WD 5 4WD
46 P Workum/B Gutzmann Arrow 3 1:26:47 7 Two WD 6 O2
37 T DelaCuesta/B Santiago Corolla 3 1:26:52 2 Perf Stk 4 U2
38 Ricky DelaCuesta/J Recto Lancer 3 1:26:56 8 Two WD 5 U2
35 M Brown/W Neundor Corolla 3 1:28:58 3 Perf Stk 6 U2
29 R Koch/R Alliso VW Fastbak 3 1:29:15 9 Two WD 7 O2
55 R Pendergrass/J Weigley Blazer 3 1:29:27 6 4WD 6 4WD
53 Pete Morris/Nick Taylor Corolla 3 1:29:51 10 Two WD 7 U2
24 M Kilpatrick/J Gillaspy Dodge Colt 3 1:30:37 11 Two WD 8 O2
50 Eric Oyague/A Oyague Corolla 6 1:31:27 2 Stock 8 U2
21 Trevor Donison/B Bradley Neon 3 1:47:03 4 Perf Stk 9 U2
15 David White/David Watts VW GTI 1 1:49:44 12 Two WD 10 U2
65 Dennis Chizma/C Marie 3000 GT 1 1:52:05 7 4WD 7 4WD
47 B Brown/P Brown Mazda 323 6 1:54:06 8 4WD 8 4WD
23 M Whitman/D Mitchel Datsun 510 3 1:57:23 13 Two WD 11 U2
41 Rui Brasil/Carlos Tavares Quattro 1 DNF
45 A Odero-Jowi/F O'Sullivan Eclipse 3 DNF
8 Bill Malik/C Edstrom Volvo 240 1 DNF
777 A Tissot/V Tissot Volvo 242 6 DNF
48 Paul Bojinov/J Ragalie Mazda RX-7 6 DNF
311 Bradney Boli/Gary Garman Accord 6 DNF
19 Ben Medeiros/T Medeiros Mazda 323 4 DNF
52 Steve Bender/Craig McHugh VW Rabbit 6 DNF
Rim of the World PRO Rally
Round #4 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Palmdale, California
Press Notes #10 - Sunday, May 10, 8:00 AM PDT
21. For David Summerbell and co-driver Chris Griffin, this was an
emotional victory for a variety of reasons. It was Summerbell's first
U.S. and Rim win, and should give important exposure to his new
sponsor - Breeze SuperClubs resorts of Jamaica. Griffin, a veteran
California Rally Series and national co-driver, has won divisional
titles at Rim with brother Jeff, national rallies with Henry Joy, but
never a national at him home event here in the Antelope Valley. It
was also an important win for Mitsubishi in the manufacturer's points
chase, as Hyundai scored no points.
22. For Genta/Takata, their Subaru Impreza held on gamely at the end
despite a blown clutch and and a failed engine management computer.
For Subaru, whose Western Regional marketing people sponsored the
ESPN2 coverage (which will run Friday, May 29, at 6:30 PM Eastern
time), it was a good weekend as the Lee Shadbolt/Paul Eklund Subaru
Impreza won the Production GT class.
Other class winners included: Ralph Kosmides/Joe Noyes Toyota Supra
(Group 5); Fred Ronn/John Dillon Toyota Celica (Group 2); and Mark
Brown/William Neundorfer Toyota Corolla (Production).
23. For the Dave White/David Watts Group 2 VW GTI, it was a disappointing
evening, as White had the Group 2 title wrapped up when he lost
control of his car and high-centered on a burm. They lost 15-minutes
to the field before Dennis Chizma's Mitsubishi 3000GT pulled them off
and got them on their way. White finished strong, and still garnered
4th in class, but he was chagrined that victory slipped away.
24. The battle for Group 5 between Ralph Kosmides/Joe Noyes, the Lon
Peterson/Jim Love Plymouth Arrow, and the Carl Jardevall/Amity
Trowbridge Volvo 740 turbo was the best of the day other than the
overall chase. At the end of ten stages, Kosmides only had a ten-
second lead on Peterson, with Jardevall one minute back, but Peterson
had electrical problems, losing five minutes on the last stage, and
Jardevall lost his rear end on stage #12.
25. It looked for a while like the Henry Joy/Michael Fennell Mitsubishi
Lancer Evolution II was in the running for its second straight Rim
title, as Henry was staying in the same minute with the leaders for
much of the rally. But the transmission froze after stage #10, and
the entry was a DNF.
26. Besides Kosmides and Peterson, several other California Rally Series
veterans scored in the top ten this weekend. The Vartan Samuelian/Art
Manoukian Mitsubishi Eclipse, which was a surprising eighth overall
last year here, improved to fifth overall this year. Only 19 seconds
out of sixth place for a seventh place finish overall is the Tony
Chavez/Marcelo Mancilla Mitsubishi Galant, which overcame its turbo
problems from Friday night. Right behind Chavez was the George
Plsek/Mark Rathsam Saab 99, and rounding out the top ten was the
Group 2 winners Fred Ronn/John Dillon in their Toyota Celica. And, of
course, Lon Peterson/Jim Love, the sixth-place finishers, are also CRS
veterans.
# # #
Rim of the World - LEG SCORES
STAGE 1 STAGE 3 STAGE 7
H.Gent 1589 J.Buff 553 J.Buff 1246
D.Summ 1692 6% C.Merr 1302 4%
H.Joy 1793 12% D.Summ 564 1% D.Summ 1325 6%
R.Bras 1794 12% H.Joy 569 2% H.Joy 1331 6%
J.Buff 1896 19% H.Gent 575 3% H.Gent 1331 6%
T.Taka 1994 25% C.Merr 585 5% T.Taka 1366 9%
C.Merr 1998 25% D.Whit 596 7% C.Jard 1385 11%
D.Whit 2019 27% C.Jard 601 8% R.Kosm 1397 12%
L.Shad 2154 35% R.Bras 602 8% D.Whit 1398 12%
R.Kosm 2205 38% R.Kosm 611 10% B.Mali 1409 13%
D.Chiz 2258 42% L.Pete 625 13% M.Whit 1422 14%
L.Pete 2265 42% P.Timm 625 13% L.Pete 1451 16%
T.Chav 2360 48% G.Plse 626 13% V.Samu 1459 17%
M.Brow 2383 49% R.Tall 626 13% A.Oder 1466 17%
V.Samu 2428 52% V.Samu 632 14% B.Mede 1466 17%
G.Vale 2487 56% M.Whit 635 14% G.Plse 1473 18%
C.Jard 2495 57% D.Chiz 637 15% F.Ronn 1483 19%
G.Plse 2522 58% T.Chav 638 15% R.Wood 1483 19%
K.Russ 2591 63% T.Taka 644 16% R.Tall 1487 19%
T.Bier 2600 63% A.Oder 664 20% R.Dela 1488 19%
T.Doni 2645 66% R.Pend 665 20% T.Chav 1528 22%
P.Morr 2650 66% L.Shad 668 20% L.Shad 1531 22%
F.Ronn 2750 73% F.Ronn 672 21% P.Timm 1534 23%
A.Oder 2756 73% R.Wood 672 21% D.Robi 1542 23%
D.Robi 2854 79% R.Dela 673 21% P.Work 1560 25%
B.Mede 2880 81% B.Mede 681 23% T.Dela 1567 25%
R.Shib 3000 88% D.Robi 683 23% R.Pend 1568 25%
J.High 3000 88% T.Dela 690 24% G.Vale 1602 28%
R.Pend 3000 88% E.Oyag 693 25% J.High 1615 29%
P.Work 3000 88% M.Kilp 699 26% S.Bend 1619 29%
R.Wood 3000 88% B.Boli 700 26% R.Shib 1633 31%
R.Tall 3000 88% G.Vale 702 26% T.Bier 1641 31%
M.Kilp 3000 88% R.Koch 708 28% P.Morr 1663 33%
R.Dela 3000 88% T.Bier 714 29% M.Kilp 1665 33%
B.Boli 3000 88% M.Brow 715 29% R.Koch 1675 34%
T.Dela 3000 88% R.Shib 716 29% E.Oyag 1676 34%
M.Whit 3000 88% J.High 716 29% M.Brow 1725 38%
E.Oyag 3000 88% K.Russ 729 31% P.Boji 1814 45%
P.Timm 3000 88% P.Work 729 31% T.Doni 1903 52%
R.Koch 3000 88% P.Morr 730 32% K.Russ 1917 53%
T.Doni 746 34% B.Brow 1940 55%
P.Boji 903 63% D.Chiz 2867 130%
Rim of the World - LEG SCORES
STAGE 8 STAGE 9 STAGE 10 STAGE 11
D.Summ 1329 C.Merr 1659 D.Summ 1171 H.Gent 1465
C.Merr 1343 D.Summ 1666 H.Gent 1190 D.Summ 1479
H.Gent 1358 H.Gent 1680 C.Merr 1198 C.Merr 1499
D.Whit 1378 D.Whit 1772 D.Whit 1233 C.Jard 1530
C.Jard 1410 L.Pete 1795 L.Pete 1271 R.Kosm 1573
L.Pete 1429 R.Wood 1798 C.Jard 1272 G.Plse 1580
R.Kosm 1432 D.Robi 1828 G.Plse 1279 L.Pete 1605
V.Samu 1442 C.Jard 1831 R.Wood 1283 F.Ronn 1620
M.Whit 1450 V.Samu 1833 T.Chav 1301 V.Samu 1621
R.Tall 1478 T.Chav 1834 P.Timm 1307 T.Chav 1634
F.Ronn 1487 R.Tall 1836 F.Ronn 1308 D.Chiz 1654
G.Plse 1492 P.Timm 1841 V.Samu 1312 D.Robi 1684
P.Timm 1503 M.Whit 1856 D.Robi 1312 G.Vale 1730
R.Dela 1514 G.Plse 1862 R.Kosm 1321 R.Wood 1741
D.Robi 1522 R.Kosm 1885 G.Vale 1383 T.Bier 1763
D.Chiz 1547 F.Ronn 1895 L.Shad 1385 R.Tall 1770
R.Wood 1566 R.Dela 1912 R.Shib 1391 L.Shad 1826
J.High 1583 A.Oder 1913 T.Bier 1409 R.Dela 1875
P.Work 1586 L.Shad 1922 T.Dela 1432 P.Timm 1877
T.Chav 1587 G.Vale 1933 R.Koch 1437 M.Brow 1896
G.Vale 1601 T.Bier 1961 J.High 1450 R.Shib 1918
R.Pend 1604 T.Dela 1976 E.Oyag 1453 P.Morr 1953
L.Shad 1606 R.Shib 1979 M.Kilp 1464 J.High 2000
T.Dela 1619 J.High 1981 M.Brow 1495 P.Work 2036
T.Bier 1663 P.Work 1987 P.Morr 1503 R.Koch 2051
M.Kilp 1696 R.Pend 2043 P.Work 1510 T.Dela 2094
R.Koch 1705 M.Brow 2051 R.Pend 1582 R.Pend 2149
R.Shib 1707 P.Morr 2056 K.Russ 1606 M.Kilp 2178
P.Morr 1711 R.Koch 2057 B.Brow 1673 E.Oyag 2245
E.Oyag 1711 M.Kilp 2060 R.Tall 1694 T.Doni 2476
M.Brow 1730 E.Oyag 2061 T.Doni 1829 K.Russ 2813
B.Brow 2029 K.Russ 2270 D.Chiz 1874 B.Brow 3050
T.Doni 2142 B.Brow 2318 R.Dela 1905 M.Whit 3311
A.Oder 3276 T.Doni 2356 M.Whit 3300 D.Whit 5193
K.Russ 8768 D.Chiz 2667
Rim of the World - LEG SCORES
STAGE 12 STAGE 13
D.Summ 1329 D.Summ 1444
H.Gent 1393 4% H.Gent 1452 0%
R.Kosm 1461 9% R.Kosm 1576 9%
C.Merr 1474 10% D.Whit 1599 10%
D.Whit 1484 11% T.Chav 1617 11%
L.Pete 1532 15% V.Samu 1657 14%
V.Samu 1536 15% G.Plse 1713 18%
T.Chav 1548 16% C.Merr 1714 18%
G.Plse 1564 17% L.Shad 1815 25%
F.Ronn 1658 24% F.Ronn 1863 29%
D.Robi 1703 28% D.Robi 1906 31%
G.Vale 1734 30% D.Chiz 1913 32%
T.Bier 1749 31% G.Vale 1964 36%
L.Shad 1799 35% L.Pete 2043 41%
M.Brow 1859 39% T.Bier 2056 42%
P.Morr 1863 40% M.Brow 2077 43%
D.Chiz 1903 43% P.Morr 2417 67%
T.Doni 2354 77% K.Russ 2765 91%
K.Russ 2371 78% T.Doni 2869 98%
Rim Saturday - LEG SCORES
Divisional
STAGE 4 STAGE 5 STAGE 6
D.Whit 1398 D.Whit 1378 D.Whit 1772
B.Mali 1409 0% L.Pete 1429 3% L.Pete 1795 1%
M.Whit 1422 1% V.Samu 1442 4% R.Wood 1798 1%
L.Pete 1451 3% M.Whit 1450 5% D.Robi 1828 3%
V.Samu 1459 4% R.Tall 1478 7% V.Samu 1833 3%
A.Oder 1466 4% F.Ronn 1487 7% T.Chav 1834 3%
B.Mede 1466 4% G.Plse 1492 8% R.Tall 1836 3%
G.Plse 1473 5% P.Timm 1503 9% P.Timm 1841 3%
F.Ronn 1483 6% R.Dela 1514 9% M.Whit 1856 4%
R.Wood 1483 6% D.Robi 1522 10% G.Plse 1862 5%
R.Tall 1487 6% D.Chiz 1547 12% F.Ronn 1895 6%
R.Dela 1488 6% R.Wood 1566 13% R.Dela 1912 7%
T.Chav 1528 9% J.High 1583 14% A.Oder 1913 7%
P.Timm 1534 9% P.Work 1586 15% T.Bier 1961 10%
D.Robi 1542 10% T.Chav 1587 15% T.Dela 1976 11%
P.Work 1560 11% R.Pend 1604 16% R.Shib 1979 11%
T.Dela 1567 12% T.Dela 1619 17% J.High 1981 11%
R.Pend 1568 12% T.Bier 1663 20% P.Work 1987 12%
J.High 1615 15% M.Kilp 1696 23% R.Pend 2043 15%
S.Bend 1619 15% R.Koch 1705 23% M.Brow 2051 15%
R.Shib 1633 16% R.Shib 1707 23% P.Morr 2056 16%
T.Bier 1641 17% P.Morr 1711 24% R.Koch 2057 16%
P.Morr 1663 18% E.Oyag 1711 24% M.Kilp 2060 16%
M.Kilp 1665 19% M.Brow 1730 25% E.Oyag 2061 16%
R.Koch 1675 19% B.Brow 2029 47% B.Brow 2318 30%
E.Oyag 1676 19% T.Doni 2142 55% T.Doni 2356 32%
M.Brow 1725 23% A.Oder 3276 137% D.Chiz 2667 50%
P.Boji 1814 29%
T.Doni 1903 36%
B.Brow 1940 38%
D.Chiz 2867 105%
Rim Saturday - LEG SCORES
Divisional
STAGE 7 STAGE 8
D.Whit 1233 G.Plse 1580
L.Pete 1271 3% L.Pete 1605 1%
G.Plse 1279 3% F.Ronn 1620 2%
R.Wood 1283 4% V.Samu 1621 2%
T.Chav 1301 5% T.Chav 1634 3%
P.Timm 1307 6% D.Chiz 1654 4%
F.Ronn 1308 6% D.Robi 1684 6%
V.Samu 1312 6% R.Wood 1741 10%
D.Robi 1312 6% T.Bier 1763 11%
R.Pend 1321 7% R.Tall 1770 12%
R.Tall 1321 7% R.Dela 1875 18%
R.Shib 1391 12% P.Timm 1877 18%
T.Bier 1409 14% M.Brow 1896 20%
T.Dela 1432 16% R.Shib 1918 21%
R.Koch 1437 16% P.Morr 1953 23%
J.High 1450 17% J.High 2000 26%
E.Oyag 1453 17% P.Work 2036 28%
M.Kilp 1464 18% R.Koch 2051 29%
M.Brow 1495 21% T.Dela 2094 32%
P.Morr 1503 21% R.Pend 2149 36%
P.Work 1510 22% M.Kilp 2178 37%
B.Brow 1673 35% E.Oyag 2245 42%
T.Doni 1829 48% T.Doni 2476 56%
D.Chiz 1874 51% B.Brow 3050 93%
R.Dela 1905 54% M.Whit 3311 109%
M.Whit 3300 167% D.Whit 5193 228%
For Immediate Release Contact: Andy Schupack
(401) 739-5677
SUMMERBELL SCORES FIRST U.S. WIN IN WORLD RALLY MOUNT;
MICHELIN PRO RALLY POINTS TIED IN A KNOT AFTER RIM EVENT
PALMDALE, Calif. -- May 10 -- David Summerbell, of Kingston, Jamaica, in
only his second U.S. rally, paired with local veteran co-driver Chris
Griffin to pilot his SuperClubs Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV to a
20-second win in Round #4 of the Michelin PRO Rally Championship - the Rim
of the World PRO Rally.
Summerbell, who battled the Japanese Subaru Impreza team of Hiroyuki
Genta/Kazmasa Takata for ten stages on the El Nino-ravaged roads of the
Angeles National Forest north of Los Angeles, said the thorough preparation
of the Lancer - a right-hand-drive, 350 horsepower car not sold in the
U.S. - was the difference.
"Although we have rough roads in Jamaica, these rocky stages, along with
the dense fog, made this rally very challenging, especially because the
Japanese team seemed to thrive on these conditions," said Summerbell.
"Most of the cars had parts come off their cars - hammered by the roads -
and we really held together."
Genta built up an early lead with very fast times in the Friday night fog,
which caused the cancellation of three of the six scheduled stages, but
Summerbell whittled away at the lead, taking first place for good with ten
miles to go. Third overall was the Carl Merrill/Lance Smith Ford Escort
Cosworth, with Group 5 winners Ralph Kosmides/Joe Noyes fourth in their
twin-turbo Toyota Supra.
Other class winners included the Lee Shadbolt/Paul Eklund Subaru Impreza
(Production GT); the Fred Ronn/John Dillon Toyota Celica (Group 2); and the
Mark Brown William Neundorfer Toyota Toyota Corolla (Production).
With series leader Paul Choiniere home with the flu, car owner and former
national champion John Buffum jumped into the Libra Racing Hyundai Tiburon,
only to break a rear crossmember midway through the event. Other
significant DNF's included the Henry Joy/Michael Fennell Mitsubishi Lancer
Evolution II (transmission); the Rui Brasil/Carlos Tavares Audi Quattro S-2
(lost a wheel and crashed); and the Bill Malik/Christian Edstrom Volvo 240
(driveshaft).
Summerbell now leads the Michelin PRO Rally points chase with 36 pts., with
Choiniere - 34 and Merrill - 32. The Rim of the World event will be
telecast on Friday, May 29, at 6:30 PM Eastern time on ESPN2.
The 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship consists of eight events, is
sponsored by Michelin Tire Corporation and sanctioned by the Sports Car
Club of America (SCCA). PRO Rally information, as well as scores, updates,
membership, or other SCCA material can be found on the SCCA web site at
<www.scca.com/amateur/prorally>.
# # #
Round #4 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
RIM OF THE WORLD PRO RALLY - Palmdale, California
Final Results
Fin. Car Driver/ Co-Driver/ Make/Model/Class/
Pos. No. Hometown Hometown Division/Tires/Time
1 77 Dave Summerbell Chris Griffin Mitsubishi Lancer
Kingston, Jamaica Burbank, CA Evolution IV/Open/1:59:59
2 26 Hiroyuki Genta Kazmasa Takata Subaru Impreza/Open
Kyoto, JAPAN Kyoto, JAPAN National/Dunlop/2:00:19
3 3 Carl Merrill Lance Smith Ford Escort Cosworth/Open
Ogunquit, ME Colchester, VT National/Michelin/2:07:43
4 11 Ralph Kosmides Joe Noyes Toyota Supra/Group 5
Newport Beach, CA Bothell, WA National/Michelin/2:14:36
5 22 Vartan Samuelian Art Manoukian Mitsubishi Eclipse/Open
Pasadena, CA Pasadena, CA Nat./Div./Michelin/2:19:12
6 33 Lon Peterson Jim Love Plymouth Arrow/Group 5
Victorville, CA Chino Hills, CA Nat./Div./Michelin/2:20:09
7 85 Tony Chavez Marcelo Mancilla Mitsubishi Galant/Open
Santa Fe Sprgs. CA Ensenada, MEXICO Nat./Div./Michelin/2:20:28
8 20 George Plsek Mark Rathsam Saab 99 Turbo/Group 5
Del Mar, CA Del Mar, CA Nat./Div./Michelin/2:21:06
9 79 Lee Shadbolt Paul Eklund Subaru Impreza/Prod. GT
Tigard, OR Tigard, OR National/Michelin/2:27:03
10 25 Fred Ronn John Dillon Toyota Celica/Group 2
Agoura, CA Thousand Oaks, CA Nat./Div./2:27:21
11 66 Doug Robinson Bill Hidde Mazda RX-7/Group 5
Ramona, CA San Diego, CA Nat./Div./2:30:20
12 31 Gerry Valentini Lee Sorenson Mazda RX-7/Group 5
Sacramento, CA Fair Oaks, CA National/Michelin/2:31:21
13 16 Tom Bier Ole Holter Saab 99/Group 2
Solano Beach, CA Long Beach, CA Nat./Div./2:35:33
14 35 Mark Brown William Neundorfer Toyota Corolla/Prod.
Mesa, AZ Mesa, AZ Nat./Div./2:39:18
15 53 Pete Morris Nick Taylor Toyota Corolla/Group 2
Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA Nat./Div./2:46:27
16 15 Dave White W. David Watts VW GTI/Group 2
Benicia, CA Carson City, NV Nat./Div./Michelin/2:46:43
17 65 Dennis Chizma Claire Marie Mitsubishi 3000GT/Prod. GT
Newhall, CA Newhall, CA Nat./Div./Michelin/2:59:12
18 21 Trevor Donison Ben Bradley Plymouth Neon/Production
Vancouver, WA Portland, OR Nat./Div./Michelin/3:13:12
19 30 Kendall Russell Lynn Dillon Dodge Shadow/Prod. GT
Knoxville, TN Indianapolis, IN National/Michelin
Did Not Finish
2 Henry Joy Michael Fennell Mitsubishi Lancer Evo II
Atlanta, MI Kingston, Jamaica Transmission
1 John Buffum Jeff Becker Hyundai Tiburon/Open
S. Burlington,VT Great Neck, NY Rear Crossmember
41 Rui Brasil Carlos Tavares Audi Quattro S-2/Open
San Jose, CA San Jose, CA Lost wheel/crash
27 Tony Takaori Ken Cassidy Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III
Kyoto, JAPAN Tempe, AZ Left early for plane
8 Bill Malik Christian Edstrom Volvo 240/Group 2
Burbank, CA Los Angeles, CA Driveshaft
34 Carl Jardevall Amity Trowbridge Volvo 740/Group 5
San Carlos, CA Seattle, WA Rear end
19 Ben Medeiros Tony Medeiros Mazda 323GTX/Open
Walnut Creek, CA Walnut Creek, CA Engine
45 Arthur Odero-Jowi Farina O'Sullivan Mitsubishi Eclipse/Prod. GT
Arlington, TX San Fran., CA Cooling fan
# # #
Results 98 Index
RRN Index