RALLY: ProRally: Team Havspeed Wild West event report

Team Havspeed's Wild West ProRally: Wild True to the Legend! Shelton, Washington USA

Result: First in Group 5

Team Havspeed's journey west to the 8th round of the Sports Car Club of America's ProRally series followed the path of many early American settlers. As in those early days, the team experienced hardship, adventure, and many unexpected dramas! Overcoming obstacles was a necessary skill simply in order to survive. Driver Andrew Havas and co-driver John Allen utilized those skills and a little luck to survive the Wild West ProRally and win the class after some serious mechanical problems.

Difficult road conditions contributed to an unusually high rate of attrition, forcing many top teams into retirement. Team Havspeed nearly fell victim on Special Stage 9, when the left front tire contacted a large rock in the stage. The rock broke the wheel and sheared the shock absorber in two. Andrew and John changed the broken wheel, limped along for 7 miles to the stage end, and headed for service.

First time crew members Leokham Vongphakdy and Michael Swartz were waiting and the foursome pitched in to repair the damaged left front with seconds to spare. This ordeal cost team over fourteen minutes and a 7th place overall finish.

"This was the hardest fought ProRally out of my eleven career starts. I have to give many thanks to John and the crew, Freddie from Orange Auto Electric, and all our supporters. I wish I could have back the fourteen minutes we lost, but I'm happy we made the 3600 mile journey from North Carolina. We've had some great reactions from the fans and other teams, so I'm very happy!" said Andrew. Stay tuned for Team Havspeed's assault on the Prescott Forest ProRally, October 5th-6th, and the Group 5 national championship title. Log on to http://www.havspeed.com for updates, event photos, and television and press exposure.

Team Havspeed is supported in part by Orange Auto Electric, Bilstein, Bosch, EarlsIndy.com, Panasport, and PIAA.

Top three overall finishers were Richard Tuthill/John Bennie, Seamus Burke/Frank Cunningham, and Ramana Lagemann/Russell Hughes.

-Havspeed International Racing