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“Based on the interest in B-Spec from its inaugural year in 2012, we wanted to come
back and run a full season to showcase the true competitiveness of the B-Spec
Rally Fit," stated James Robinson, Honda engineer and driver for THR. “Looking forward to
2013, we hope to have more competition and excitement in the class, thanks to
the continued involvement of Ford Racing and Toyota.”
Moving on to the fourth of seven National Championship
rounds, the B-Spec Fit was now dealing with the aftermath of an unfortunate DNF
in Oregon. “We had hoped to build on our
two strong finishes [in the opening two events] when we competed in Oregon, but
unfortunately, we suffered damage from a rock that kept us from finishing the
three-day event,” James noted. “On the
upside, we’re continually learning methods to make the B-Spec Rally kit more
robust for our customers, and we have a lot more confidence coming to the fast,
smooth roads here in Pennsylvania.”
As one of the oldest rallies contested on the Rally America
circuit, Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally [STPR] is also a favorite of
drivers, due to the smoothness of the circuit.
“We know that roads like this tend to favor the high-powered cars, but,
as long as James doesn’t lift, we should be able to keep up!” said Jordan
Guitar, co-driver for the B-Spec Team.
With only five stages to contest on the opening day, the
B-Spec Fit team quickly set out to get ahead of the production-based
Fiestas. By the end of Day One, the Fit
was the 10th-fastest 2WD car and 33rd overall out of 54
competitors. “The first days’ stages are
challenging, but quick, and we’re starting to ramp up the pace,” James said upon the day’s completion. “For this event, we actually don’t have
anyone in our class officially, so we’re trying to balance finishing while
trying to run with the quicker Group 2 cars.”
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By the end of event, the B-Spec Fit finished 13th
overall, first in B-Spec, and 5th among 2WD entries. “We couldn’t be happier with the car’s
performance here at STPR,” Jordan said,
“This helps us keep our overall lead in the B-Spec championship and also shows
that the B-Spec platform can compete head-to-head with the notoriously fast
Group 2 front-runners.”
“We hope that we can continue to have good stage-time
battles with the other B-Spec prepared cars in two-wheel drive,” James added.
“The Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris are both excellent competition cars, and we
should continue our exciting competition for the remaining rounds this year!”
Check out this on-track video of the Honda Racing / HPD Rally vehicles at STPR: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19K0rDhxDwo&sns=em
Rally America interview with James Robinson at STPR: http://rally-america.com/videos/yt-IFgNQCK5KmA/1838-Robinson
Look for the THR B-Spec Fit at the next round of the Rally
America National Championship Series, on July 26-27th in Newry,
Maine.
Susquehannock Trail Rally:
The fourth race on the Rally America National Championship
schedule and one of the
oldest rally races on the schedule, Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally
(commonly known as STPR) began in 1977. It is not only the oldest, but it is
also the fastest rally in North America. With roads consisting of clay and
gravel, the course is slippery, fast and extremely dangerous. Drivers travel at
speeds reaching 100 MPH through densely wooded roads. The speeds, combined with
the dangerous course, ensure that this rally is not for the faint of heart.
About Rally America:
Based in Williston, VT, Rally America, Inc. sanctions the Rally America National Championship, which consists of at least seven national-level events located at a variety of venues across the country, from Portland, Oregon to Newry, Maine. Top competitors in the Rally America National Championship reach speeds of well over 100 miles per hour, driving highly modified street cars such as Mitsubishi Evolutions, Subaru WRX STIs, Ford Fiestas and Scion XDs on natural-terrain courses consisting of gravel, dirt, ice or snow. For more information regarding Rally America’s National Championship or the sport of performance rally, visit www.rally-america.com
Based in Williston, VT, Rally America, Inc. sanctions the Rally America National Championship, which consists of at least seven national-level events located at a variety of venues across the country, from Portland, Oregon to Newry, Maine. Top competitors in the Rally America National Championship reach speeds of well over 100 miles per hour, driving highly modified street cars such as Mitsubishi Evolutions, Subaru WRX STIs, Ford Fiestas and Scion XDs on natural-terrain courses consisting of gravel, dirt, ice or snow. For more information regarding Rally America’s National Championship or the sport of performance rally, visit www.rally-america.com
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