Subiesport Magazine - April/May 2008 - (Page 55)

2008 RALLY GUIDE Another X-Games Crossover: David Mirra schedule conflicts start in mid-June when his BMX season starts up,” said Vermont’s Chris Yandell. If his story sounds familiar, it’s because it is. Travis Pastrana got famous at the X Games, but when there’s nothing left there to win, rally is the place to be. “Ken Block, who sponsors Dave in BMX through DC Shoes, helped introduce him to driving and got him over to O’Neil’s for a rally school. Then we did a test session with him, and he was very, very interested. He’s got Monster Energy Drink sponsorship in BMX, and that will carry over to rally,” Yandell said. With someone as accomplished as Mirra, you might expect him to want to start at the top, but that’s not what he’s doing. Mirra’s playing it smart and learning his chops before he takes on the masters. “The car he will start with is a naturally-aspirated Impreza, basically a 2.5RS rally car, currently in 2006 trim. Once he gets good at that beginner car, he’ll probably graduate to one of our 2007 STIs,” Yandell said. We asked Mirra to comment on the process of moving from pedal power to Rally Racing: SS: Will you continue to compete in BMX? DM: Yes, I will compete in the entire 2008 season, it starts up in the early summer. Therefore I won’t be able to do all the Rally America rounds, as there are some schedule conflicts. DAVE MIRRA is a bona fide phenomenon in action sports. He’s won more gold medals at the X Games than any other competitor. He entered (and won) his first BMX race at age 10, and he’s never looked back since. Even after suffering a brutal head trauma after being hit by a drunk driver, the young rider has won every prize he’s ever decided to win. And now he’s heading into Rally America, supported by DC Shoes, Monster Energy Drink and Vermont Sportscar. He will be competing in at least the first half of the Rally America National Championship, with Vermont SportsCar backing. Mirra will be starting out in a pretty close to stock Impreza 2.5i. It’s got some mods, like an STI 6-speed, but it’s really just a good learner car. As he gains experience, Vermont SportsCar will look to put him into one of their 2007 spec Open Class cars, the same ones that Block and Pastrana ran last year. “He drove at the Rally of the Tall Pines and did very well. He was setting top-10 stage times, and that was his first experience. He’ll be running in the O’Neil Rally, and then at Sno*Drift and the first half of the Rally America season up to STPR. His SS: Coming into the series from BMX is a big change — how do you expect to do against the veteran drivers this year? DM: I have no expectations for my rookie season. The experience the vets carry is no luck of the draw. They have done their homework, and it shows. I am just so lucky for the opportunity to rally, so the last thing I’m trying to do is go out and think I can compete with the best my first year! SUBIESPORT MAGAZINE 55 http://www.globalperformanceparts.com http://www.globalperformanceparts.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Subiesport Magazine - April/May 2008

Subiesport Magazine - April/May 2008 Contents Travis Geny Letters Readers' Rides Subaru News Wicked in White Pink Rules Harman Motive Nouveau Tuning the 2008 STI 2008 Rally Guide Alcan 5000 Rally Alcan Unleashed WRC Rally Monte Carlo WRC Rally Sweden WRC Rally Mexico 100 Acre Wood Kumakubo! D1 Drifting Where to Buy Subiesport 2008 Impreza WRX 2007 Legacy GT 1993 Impreza Wagon Fueled Up Ad Directory Spotted!

Subiesport Magazine - April/May 2008

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