RAmer: New England Forest preview

NATION'S TOP RALLY DRIVERS TO COMPETE IN NEW ENGLAND FOREST RALLY

BERLIN, N.H., July 9, 2007 - The top rally drivers in the country will battle each other and the rugged forest terrain of Maine and New Hampshire when the Rally America National Championship Series moves to the East Coast for the New England Forest Rally on July 13 and 14.

What began in the winter of 1991 as the Maine Forest Rally has grown into one of the most eagerly anticipated races on the Rally America calendar. With a new name and new stages in both Maine and New Hampshire, this year's event looks to be the most exciting yet.

Entering the New England Forest Rally, the top three drivers in the 2007 Rally America standings are separated by just 21 points. After five of nine events, Andrew Pinker and co-driver Robbie Durant lead the standings, followed by Ken Block and co-driver Alessandro Gelsomino. The 2006 Rally America national champions, Travis Pastrana and co-driver Christian Edstrom, are third.

In addition to the 2007 Rally America National Championship title, New England Forest Rally competitors are vying for the final "wild-card" entry into X Games 13, to be held in Los Angeles in August. For the second consecutive year, rally racing will be featured in the Summer X Games, with the first six races of the 2007 Rally America season serving as qualifying events for the popular action-sport competition.

The top-finishing driver in the New England Forest Rally who has not already qualified for the X Games will earn the coveted last-chance invitation. Already confirmed as X Games participants are: Travis Pastrana, Ken Block, Colin McRae -- the three medalists from last year's race -- and Tanner Foust, Andrew Pinker, Matt Iorio, Paul Choiniere, Ramana Lagemann, and Andrew Comrie-Picard.

Rally America drivers compete in street-legal vehicles that are modified for safety. Six vehicle classes, ranging from stock to highly modified, compete under the Rally America banner. Eleven different automobile manufacturers are represented in Rally America events, led by Subaru, Mitsubishi, Dodge, Ford and Volkswagen.

NEW ENGLAND FOREST RALLY -- RACE WEEKEND SCHEDULE

*ALL EVENTS ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC*

Friday, July 13, 2007
11 a.m. Parc Expose (race cars on display), Mexico Recreation Area, Mexico, Maine
1:45 p.m. Start of Day One, Mexico Recreation Area, Mexico, Maine
8:30 p.m. Finish of Day One

Saturday, July 14, 2007
6:30 a.m. Parc Expose (race cars on display), Berlin, N.H.
9 a.m. Start of Day Two, Berlin, N.H.
6 p.m. Finish of Day Two, Sunday River Ski Resort, Bethel, Maine

-credit: www.rally-america.com.