ProRally: Susquehannock Trail: Subaru Rally Team USA rally summary

Subaru Rally Team USA finishes second at Susquehannock Trail ProRally.

WELLSBORO, Pa., June 3 -- Subaru Rally Team USA's Mark Lovell and Steve Turvey drove their 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX rally car to a second place finish at this weekend's SCCA Susquehannock Trail ProRally. The rally was won by David Higgins and David Barritt in their AV Sport Subaru Impreza WRX, the fourth consecutive victory for the British driver.

Large crowds lined the roads of "Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon" region that comprise the difficult STPR rally. Defending 2001 Susquehannock Trail Champion Mark Lovell posted quick times throughout the rally, finishing less than one minute behind eventual winner Higgins. Lovell appeared to be closing the gap to the leader, but an earlier 30-second transit penalty proved too costly to overcome. The penalty also forced Lovell to drive through the dust kicked up by the leader, making visibility a supreme challenge.

"The dust was absolutely terrible, you just couldn't see where the road went," said Lovell. "However, the second place allowed us to gain valuable points in the Manufacturer's Championship."

Lovell's second place finish made up ground on Hyundai and moved Subaru to second place in the 2002 SCCA ProRally Manufacturer's race. Lovell's teammate Ramana Lagemann was forced to retire from the rally when his brakes failed on special stage 8. A testament to his incredible car control and bravery, Ramana finished the stage as well as stage 9, but retired soon afterwards to avoid further damage to his car and its occupants. Attrition would claim half of the 88 car starting grid, as dusty conditions and demanding roads proved too much for many of the competitors.

Subaru Rally Team USA will compete in the famed "race to the clouds" at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb in Colorado Springs, Colorado June 27- 29. Follow all the action at http://www.rally.subaru.com/ or check local SpeedChannel listings for event coverage.

About Subaru Rally Team USA

In its debut season, Subaru Rally Team USA captured the 2001 SCCA ProRally Manufacturer's Championship, as well as Driver's Championships in both the Open and Group N classes. Subaru Rally Team USA is a collaborative effort between Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru Tecnica International (STi) and Subaru World Rally Team Representative, Prodrive. Subaru Rally Team USA uses Pirelli tires exclusively.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Subaru pioneered the concept of the passenger car/sport-utility vehicle with the introduction of the Subaru Outback, the "World's First Sport Utility Wagon."

Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Over the past nine years, the company has achieved year-over-year retail sales increases thanks to its popular line of car-based sport utility vehicles, and is among the fastest growing brands in the automobile industry.

-www.rally.subaru.com/