Hillsboro, Oregon - The Primitive Racing Team of Paul Eklund and new co-driver Jeff Price lead the Open Class of the newly formed Western States Rally Championship going into the Oregon Trail Rally this weekend. The series was formed as an alternative to criss-crossing the country for West Coast based teams. This year it is composed 7 events from Washington, Oregon, California and Colorado. Events from Arizona and possibly Nevada will rotate in alternate years.

"The Shitepoke ClubRally was to be the 3rd event of the series, but was cancelled by the SCCA in a ClubRally moratorium, so this makes Oregon Trail even more important to us, " says team owner and driver Eklund. "I does look like the WSRC organizers will allow us to substitute another event like Wild West so we will get in a full series. I take my hat off to John Dillon, the Tabor Rally Team, and Silverstone Tyres for putting this series together and making it all happen."

The series is run in conjunction with existing rallies and scores the best 6 out of 7 finishes. Points are also awarded to event organizers which allows them to not "miss" their own events. That was a big boost towards the series' acceptance. The next event in the WSRC will be the Gorman Rally in Southern California in mid-August.

The Primitive Racing Team has been looking forward to the Oregon Trail Rally as their home event and a chance to run up against the big National teams. "Dust will play a big role this year," predicts Eklund, "and I think the top 9 or 10 teams will have a distinct advantage, so I hope we can move up into that group after the first re-seed." "We hope to show that we can run with the big boys despite a limited budget, minimal testing, and without the use of stage notes. But just staying up with other privateers like Leon Styles (EVO) and Carl Jardeval (EVO) will be challenge enough."

The Primitive Racing Subaru WRX has been upgraded somewhat since the rain shortened Rim of the World Rally with a new limited slip rear differential and new intake manifold with less restriction from the tumble generator valves. The team still runs on dependable Silverstone Rally Tires, DMS Suspension, and Wilwood Brake Components. Sponsors include Royal Moore Subaru and T-Scandia Motors of Tigard, Oregon. Crew chief is Scott Huhn who has stepped out of the co-driving duties after several very successful years. Say "hi" to him and the whole team of service crew volunteers if you see them in the pits.

The Oregon Trail Rally starts Saturday morning at 9am at the beautiful Hillsboro Stadium just off of Highway 26, nine miles west of Portland and runs over to the coastal forests surrounding Tillamook, Oregon in a 2-day performance rally.

For more information, please visit www.oregontrailrally.com or

Paul Eklund
www.get-primitive.com

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