Del Mar, California -- The TatoMotorsports U.S. Rally Team is primed and ready for the start of their 2004 SCCA ProRally Championship Series presented by Mattel Hot Wheels this weekend after completing an extensive off season re-fitting of their Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Open Class Rally Car.

The SCCA Oregon Trails ProRally events kicks off on Friday night with two short spectator stages and an unique chance for both the Team’s and the event’s spectators to compare the performance of U.S. Rally cars when they take to the quarter mile long drag strip at the Portland International Speedway to race side-by-side as part of the opening ceremonies.

The remaining 370 miles of the event will be run over the following two days in the forestry roads in and around the city of Vernonia Oregon. This mileage will be divided up into thirteen competitive stages and transits and will also provide three service breaks for the team’s to make limited repairs to their respective vehicles.

George Plsek Jr. (Team Driver; Del Mar, California) will be contesting in his ninth season as a driver in the SCCA ProRally Series and is excited to be considered as one of the front runners in the Open class for this event. George commented on what it will take to finish in the top ten at this event. "We had a really strong second day (performance) here last year, and we will need to repeat that if we are going to be competitive against all of the other strong teams that will be here. After last seasons tragic event, it will be difficult for many of us, but the memory of Mark and Rodger spirits will be with us."

While George is keeping one eyes fixed on the SCCA ProRally Series, he is also preparing for the Hennessey’s International Paddleboard Championship and the Quicksilver Molokai Channel Challenge in July. Both events are held in the islands of Hawaii and will host the absolute best watermen from around the World. George will be relying on the momentum he has created for himself after his strong 4th overall finish in the Hano Hano Open Ocean race.

Jeff Burmeister (Team Navigator; Minneapolis, Minnesota) has been retained by the TatoMotorsports U.S. Rally Team for the 2004 season as their team navigator. Like George, Jeff is also looking at other water events this season. Jeff will make his return to the Great Lakes Offshore Yachting Championships this season after a seven-year hiatus. The Great Lakes Championships is a six event series that has teams sailing in some of the most classic fresh water events in North America.

"For me, there is a good crossover between rally navigation and yachting navigation. Both require you to make some very quick decisions while trying to be very precise about how you accomplish them. But ultimately in both sports it is all about three things. Having the latest information, making good decisions, and then sticking to the plan."

Joining the TatoMotorsports U.S. Rally Team for the Oregon Trails ProRally is Lake Tahoe Nevada resident Mark Nelson who finished an impressive fourth place at this event last year. Mark will be the event in the TatoMotorsports ’ Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Production World Rally Championship car.

The TatoMotorsports U.S. Rally Team is headquartered in Del Mar California and is supported in part by RockStar Energy Drink, ComWaveLink Consulting Services, and Motordrive Racing Seats. For more information about the team, go to http://team.tatomotorsports.com

TatoMotorsports Inc. is a leading full service rally racing support company, offering their customers rally related products, rally car development, and rally event technical support. For more information on TatoMotorsports, go to http://www.tatomotorsports.com

The SCCA ProRally Championship Series is presented by the Mattel Hot Wheels and is televised on the SPEED Channel, a Fox Sports Net affiliate. Each individual event in the SCCA ProRally Championship Series pins private and manufacturer backed rally teams against each other over closed sections of public roads in some of America’s most demanding and scenic venues. For more information about the SCCA and the SCCA ProRally Championship Series, go to http://www.scca.org

TatoMotorsports U.S. Rally Team Press/Media Contact Information:
Media Relations Officer
Email - TatoMotorsports@mn.rr.com
Phone 612.804.9257