Outdoors

Lead-Foot Race

Posted at February 05, 2008 14:59

By Stefani Kronk

For motor sports enthusiasts, performance rallying is a far cry from the asphalt track. Forget the pristine raceway and the monotonous laps. Rallying is a motorized adventure in back-road racing.  Full throttle speeds combine with the hazards of winding country roads, creating a thrilling and unpredictable race where anything can happen. 

Rally in the 100 Acre Wood at Salem is a nationally sanctioned race by Rally America. Held on February 22 and 23, the race is the second of nine national chapter events across the country and is noted by the organization as being one of the most scenic. This is the third year as a national champion race, bringing approximately fifty entries from around the world. The course consists of stages—closed sections of county road where vehicles are pushed to their limit, reaching speeds of 130 miles per hour on straight stretches. These no-holds barred sections are linked together with transit sections, where local laws must be obeyed. Rally in the 100 Acre Wood consists of approximately 110 pedal-to-the-metal stage miles.

Rally teams consist of a driver and a navigator. At the start of the race, the navigator is given a route book with exact mileages and simple directions. Rally cars are specially equipped for the gravel roads and rough racing surfaces, making them well-suited for the road less traveled. 

Rallying favorite Travis Pastrana will be a popular driver to watch as he speeds along the tight and twisty roads that make Rally in the 100 Acre Wood one of the best in the nation for this sport.

Visit www.100aw.org for spectator spots or more information.

 

February 2008 MissouriLifeLines

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