Well, here we are at the beginning of the new season and we already have the Sno*Drift Rally behind us. Even though I tried very hard to blog during the rally from Lewiston and Atlanta, it wasn’t that easy to do. Simply because of lack of sleep we've been suffering starting right on the trip up to Michigan.

But let’s begin with my new driver for this year. At the beginning of January, when I almost said to myself “maybe it’s time for a break”, I received a call from my long time friend Evan Cline… We did come to an agreement quite quickly and we are set for the full 2011 Rally America National Championship. I have to say that being back in the car for the first time since NEFR 2010, was great!

Weather in the North East this year has been quite difficult to deal with, especially if you plan on traveling. New York state as you all know has been hit with several snow storms and just outside my house (an hour North of NYC) I have some snow banks up to 4ft high. It couldn't be different the day I flew to Cline Racing Sports HQ in Detroit, MI (just outside, I should say). After spending over 8 hours at the airport in NY and getting the bags on the next plane, we finally got to the rally area by 3am on the day of recce. You know already that this is not going to go well :)

Comparing to other years at Sno*Drift (this was my 6th time there, 5th time competing) the roads had more grip than any other year, but snow banks were definitely a lot smaller. On the stages ran twice (both ways) on the way back braking points became very slick. We were doing very well. Spent Friday on getting everything set up in the car between us on the right page (we unfortunately missed the practice stage) and drove faster and faster by the stage, getting the 6th overall time on SS11.

On SS13 though, at one of the breaking points on the downhill section, Evan tried to grab a snow bank to slow down the car, but snow bank got him and we spun out. Our Subaru did not want to drive anymore. It kept coughing and puffing and it finally stopped less than a mile from the end of 15 miles stage. Because of the force of the impact, snow got into the airbox and clogged the filter. It took us over 13 minutes to clean it out and get the car in usable condition again. We got it to the service and came out of there on the mission, to get some of the time that we lost back. Actually the mission was to catch Garry Gil, who was sitting 5th in SP. We were 1 min and 40 seconds down, we came 18 seconds short… SS17 though was one of the best Evan drove setting again 6th time OA and 3nd in SP on the stage.

Lots of experience and good set up for the beginning of the season. Lost podium in SP hurts, but I know that we are capable to hang with the big boys.

We would like to thank our sponsors for getting us there this year: Exedy, Disc Brakes Australia, Ksport, Innovate Motorsports, Recaro, K&N, Hawk, JE Pistons, Magnus Motorsports and Mobsteel.

‎Thank you and see you all at 100 Acre Wood Rally, hopefully with a daily blog this time!

Seeing Travis Hanson win the Sno*Drift last weekend gave me great cause to smile.

Much of motorsport is dominated by big funding, high profile names, and in some branches of motorsport - most of it's drivers and teams are arrogant to boot.

Rally America is a breath of fresh air in all respects, all involved are down to earth, friendly, and then to see a Super Production car come out on top in a difficult rally made me realise that the real fun in motorsport is seeing those who LOVE it winning.

Nice one Travis!!!!

By Ian Price (http://www.ianpricemotorsport.com)

David Higgins makes a return to American rallying as he joins Subaru Rally Team USA for the 2011 season. The Isle Of Man native will contest RallyCar’s Rally America National Championship alongside SRT USA driver Dave Mirra, maintaining a two-car effort for the Subaru marque. David’s factory drive was revealed by Motorsport News UK in their Wednesday, November 24th issue, although Subaru of America has yet to make a formal announcement.

The search to fill the open seat was prompted by Travis Pastrana’s departure from the team earlier this month and was surrounded with much speculation as to who the replacement would be. Names including Mark Higgins (David’s brother), Niall McShea, and Ramana Lagemann were supposedly all tossed in the mix as viable candidates, but Subaru elected David after passing over a high-profile Canadian driver who had a very successful 2010 season on both sides of the border. Although North American talent was considered for the drive before finally deciding on Higgins, this is not the first time Subaru of America has enlisted European drivers for its rallying program.

David Higgins is a seasoned competitor and boasts numerous accomplishments including the 2002 and 2003 SCCA Pro Rally Championship titles (USA), the 2004 British Rally Championship title, and several years of World Rally Championship experience behind the wheel of a Group N car. The Higgins family also runs “The Forest Experience Rally School” and David has done testing and development for various manufacturers. Higgins has competed all over the world, most recently placing third overall in a Mitsubishi Evo IX on China Rally Longyou, the final round of the FIA Asia-Pacific Championship.

WorldRallySport.com will keep you posted with further developments.

I'm sure everyone here heard about the Bill Caswell story and how he's became a hero of sorts. I admit I admire him to, and I signed the petition to have him compete in the X-Games, but I'd like to express my frustation.

How come it's always the big name stars competing for a medal? In the olympics you got "dream team" status athletes to the college kids living thier dream in such events.

Motorsport is big business no doubt. Sacrificing so much...

But unless you're a Travis Pastrana, Dave Mirra, Ken Block, or Tanner Foust...you got no chance in hell getting in....Unless you got a fat wallet.

This is what pisses me off, us local boys with big dreams are just as "X-Treme" in our hearts to hang with the big boys. We don't have a shoe sponsor, energy drink supplier, a tour bus, and expensive tools.

But The X-Games officials should know we are just as balls to the walls as their stars are.

Here is what I'm proposing for X-Games 17.

The Underdog Rule:

In future X-Games events, drivers who are underclass (compared to the superstar drivers) should be given thier own invites based on their performance on the RA Championship (or any other rally event) or have a chance to arrive to LA and qualify on a day alongside the big name teams and manufacturers.

Top qualifers and invited "underdog" drivers then compete in the SAME events such as Pastrana, Block, Mirra, etc. And you know what? Sure I, and chances are the other local drivers here, will have a slim chance of winning a medal...but like the Olympics or World Cup. It would feel good racing our little hearts out in a televised event.

This is what I'm suggesting and I'm seriously considering sending in to officals. Who's with me????

I am currently preparing for New England Forest Rally. The car is all apart, nothing is going as planned and my list is getting longer not shorter. Stress is through the roof, time is ticking and wonder why am I doing this anyways? I have raced 3 rallies- the pre event stress hasn't seemed to diminish but the reasons for committing all time and $ to a sport is clear- the downs make the ups that much more satisfying. Climbing a mountain from the bottom and feeling that sense of accomplishment perhaps is a perpetual strive to get better without having the low.

Rally is rough and not for the faint of heart- I am being tested at the moment if you couldn't tell.

Well...not racing, but attending. All 4 days, I'm stoked for the Rally events and the new SuperRally race. I bet it's gonna look like DiRT 2.

I am currently preparing for New England Forest Rally. The car is all apart, nothing is going as planned and my list is getting longer not shorter. Stress is through the roof, time is ticking and wonder why am I doing this anyways? I have raced 3 rallies- the pre event stress hasn't seemed to diminish but the reasons for committing all time and $ to a sport is clear- the downs make the ups that much more satisfying. Climbing a mountain from the bottom and feeling that sense of accomplishment perhaps is a perpetual strive to get better without having the low.

Rally is rough and not for the faint of heart- I am being tested at the moment if you couldn't tell.

I've (and I'm sure a good number of you are too) have been watching the 2010 FIFA World Cup. And I figured I might as well show you USA's (it's stated the World's) reactions of Landon Donovan's goal.

It's worth a watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn3rOPmR9w

Photos taken at the Chatsworth Rally Show 2010

http://www.worldrallysport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1106

Official Website: therallyshow.org/

A great selection of classic to modern day rally cars also the 30th anniversary of the Audi Quattro

Weasel 555 was there for the June 5th day heres a few of the over 200+ photos he took!

I shut off my cell phone, sold my PS3 and all my games (and I was just DYING to play Gran Turismo 5), and I'll be moving back in with my parents.

I'm gonna start saving EVERY penny I make now, not that I'm in any financial struggle...but I'm considering getting a better job.

I'm thinking about being a truck driver. I heard they make good money, looking at some truck driving schools, anyone who knows a school or can give me more insight to the business feel free to leave me a message!