Santa Clarita, California -- The end of the 2003 SCCA ProRally Championship season came far to quickly for the TatoMotorsports Rally Team USA when the Team was forced to retire due to a mechanical failure of the rear differential after crossing the finishing line of the first special stage of the Lake Superior ProRally.

"It’s tough, coming all the way out here with a strong car, only to have one small problem lead to a retirement." Stated Team driver George Plsek Jr. after they were informed they would need to retire at Service. "We had a weird landing in the middle of stage one, the car rotated in the air and we just came down odd. I think that might have led to the rear differential’s failure."

This was the first retirement for George Plsek Jr. and his TatoMotorsports prepared Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Rally car during the 2003 season. But even with a non finish at this event and while running a limited West Coast schedule, the Team was still able to amass enough points to earn a respectable 16th place for Overall Driver and 15th place for Overall Co-driver in the 2003 SCCA ProRally Championship Series.

"This season was really about two things for me, learning how to work smoothly with George and trying to get the car over the finish line at every event," commented Jeff Burmeister, Team co-driver. "We were able to do that pretty well this season, and the Teams’ Engineers should be proud of the work that they did to make that happen for us."

The end of the Lake Superior ProRally marks the conclusion of the 2003 season for TatoMotorsports Rally Team USA, but it doesn't mark the conclusion of the Team’s on going work. Preparations for the 2004 season are already in full swing.

TatoMotorsports is based in the Santa Clarita Valley just north of Los Angeles California. They offer a full line of Rally Rental vehicles for competitive teams as well as offering on-site event Service and Support for Rally Effort throughout North America.

For more info on TatoMotorsports http://www.tatomotorsports.com