TEXT FPO - Driving Sports TV

ally like a
Rally is very well the most demanding
motorsport on the planet.
not only must teams struggle in
competition against one another,
probably some of the closest rally racing anywhere
to be found. With four drivers all within reach of
the championship, each rally was literally won with
seconds to spare, right down to the final round. The
not only does Pinker co-own the cars that he
and tanner drive, but he pays the mechanics that
work on them, and to a large extent he even built
both cars. between races, he drives one of the three
but they must also battle the harshness of Mother main fight was between the factory-backed subaru 60-foot rigs that drag the cars and all their spares to
nature as she does her level best to turn a rally car effort of Ken block and travis Pastrana and the whatever corner of the country the next rally hap-
into a crumpled wad of tin. For drivers who have Rockstar energy Drink/syms-backed privateers anpens to be in. and when they get there, andy will
the luxury of factory backing and a team of full-time drew Pinker and tanner Foust.
either finagle or rent a space from whatever local
mechanics and engineers, they can focus on the job While block and Pastrana enjoy all that being subaru dealership or performance house happens
at hand: winning. but for many privateer teams, the factory-backed drivers can provide, for joint team to be closest and tear the cars down to prepare them
challenge of keeping the car on the road and on the owner, operator and driver, andy Pinker, the Rally for the next round.
podium is only half the challenge.
america championship is a different ballgame alto- This year, Rockstar continues to back the team
Last year’s Rally america championship was gether.
financially as well as provide it with a good supply of
76 July 2008
ally like a