[DC Shoes]

In his typical "Rally Leviathan" style, Travis Pastrana nabbed his third win this season with almost a minute lead between him and second place finisher Tanner Foust. Andrew "Antilag Alarm Clock" Comrie-Picard picked up a third place finish — especially interesting considering Comrie-Picard ate tree during the practice stage. Pastrana's Subaru Factory teammate Ken Block was dramatically removed from the standings on Day Two after an 80 MPH flat tire did him in and left Block with a fractured control arm. Dave Mirra scored a first place finish in the Super Production class; walking away from the event with both his first rally win and a drop-forged cast iron grin.

We're betting on an underdog upset at one of these upcoming rallies; a real David Vs. Goliath moment. Even though he was taken out of this weekend's event due to a very blown engine, our chips are on racing wunderkind and Jalop-You-Never-Knew-Existed Matthew Johnson in his hyper-chromatic technicolor Subaru WRX at a post-X Games rally. You heard it here first.

Sit tight and follow our RallyAmerica tag for the upcoming gonzo coverage of the 2009 Oregon Trail Rally including our mega-gallery plus a smattering of tasty bonus features.

Photog Credit: Alex C. Conley

Alex "Chocolate Lovin'" Conley and I are saddling up our gear in preparation of this year's Oregon Trail Rally. The fourth race in the series runs loops around scenic Portland, Oregon with a super special stage located at the Portland International Raceway.

We'll be bombing the trails in a Subaru Forester; so, as always, stop and say hi if you see us out in the woods. I'll be slinging some private knowledge and pictures to my Twitter, @so_andy_said, so be sure to follow up if you're interested in the latest rally news. Also, keep track of our infamous RallyAmerica tag to catch our coverage as it goes up. We've still got a boatload of 100 Acre Wood photos and film that's waiting to go live - it's just taking a nap in the editing room to prepare for the great rocking of your faces. Who knew rally was so metal? Press On Regardless!

Photo Credit: Gnarls Barkley

In a 100-mile, tight, technical rally in the southern Catskills Mountains of New York, Ken slid towards a top finish with nearly a three minute margin between him and second place. Not a part of the RallyAmerica circuit, the rally was cited as being notoriously wet this year. Not to worry, as Block performed flawlessly and was noted to have been "unchallenged." Block raced his 2007 Open Class Subaru STi as his 2009 car is on its way west for the upcoming Olympus rally.

Photo Credit: Neil McDaid and Lars Gange

Two days worth of shooting went into Ken Block's infamous Gymkhana practice clip, so it's safe to assume a large amount of glorious footage had to go to the cutting room floor - no matter how hoontacular. Thankfully, the guys over at DC Shoes and Mad Media knew we'd have a hankerin' for some more tire shredding and assembled a compilation clip of everything that didn't get into the first lineup. Sit back with a tire dust whippet and enjoy.

With enough speed to seal Ken's fourth win at the 100 Acre Wood in Salem, MO, the resulting footage is nothing short of breathtaking. New to our in-car game is a spiffy set of live data gauges telling the viewer exactly what's going on with those pedals.

Up next, we've got video interviews with Block and Pastrana, Behind the Scenes with Subaru Rally Team USA, and, of course, our 100 Acre Wood mega-gallery. Can you contain your excitement? We can't. Keep your browsers locked on our RallyAmerica tag for all this upcoming dirty fun. And as always, Press On Regardless!

Update: As it turns out, the video was just too friggin' awesome to be contained by our hamsters. We've moved it to Vimeo and all should be well. Sorry for those of you who's browsers we've imploded. It'll grow back, promise.

Here's an easy one for you, folks. We considered zooming it in on just the fender and making you search paint codes to up the ante, but that's no fun. Here's a hint: You'd have to be batshit insane to rally one of these. After a short chat with the genial driver and crew, we can confirm that they are indeed crazy.

The answer will be revealed once our 100 Acre Wood mega-gallery goes live. In the meantime, throw out your best guesses below. Keep an eye on our RallyAmerica Tag for further dirtysport updates.

Hot word on the trail is Travis Pastrana rolled violently in the last stage of the first day here at the 2009 100 Acre Wood Rally. No injuries were reported, but the car is toast. After this huge upset, Ken Block is currently poised for the win.

Keep an eye on our RallyAmerica tag for more updates as they roll in. We'll have a full photo gallery up tomorrow after the second and last day of racing wraps up. Even though our Travis Pastrana and Ken Block interviews are in the bag, we'll be chatting with Dave Mirra tomorrow. If any members of the Jalopnik Commentariat have a witty question to throw Dave's way, post it below and you may see it come to fruition.

This year's Sno*Drift Rally, held in Atlana, MI, brought a frothy mixture of high horsepower and tasty hydrocarbons to a quaint, rural town. Did you catch those friggin' sweet AfterEffects titles? Expect more of the same.

Right now, we're deep in the heart of Missouri to cover the 100 Acre Wood Rally here in Salem. We've upped our camera count from two to five to bring you exactly what you crave: dirty, naughty racing obscenity. If you catch us in our megaphone-equipped gunmetal-brown Saab 9-7x, stop and say hi. Press on regardless!

Photo Credit: Alex C. Conley
Video Credit: Kyle "Dangerzone" Conner and Brian "Nannerpuss" Shepanek

This clip gets you just a taste of what it'd be like to run with Travis Pastrana with co-driver Christian Edstrom - or riding shotgun with Ken Block and Alessandro Gelsomino. This footage is from Day 1 of the 2009 Sno*Drift rally held in Atlanta, Michigan this past January.

The guys over at Subaru Rally Team USA have put together a Subie-centric gallery of their own that can be seen here.

Or just stay here and check out our complete coverage of the 2009 Sno*Drift Rally. Also, you'll want to keep an eye on our RallyAmerica tag as our original HD video is about to pummel the automotive blogosphere with blood and thunder. Prepare.

While we're huge fans of both Travis Pastrana and the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, the two have, in this case, combined to create something incredibly horrible. To be fair, we doubt the rally star actually had much involvement with the vehicle.

The full list of specs reads like a 16-year-old's wet dream. In addition the P**sy Magnet Yellow paint complete with Tonka tire tracks, there's a carbon fiber hood, rear wing and other aero aids. Inside the custom blue interior, there's a ridiculous Kicker stereo sure to highlight the Impreza's thin body panels and passenger seat-mounted, custom yellow Xbox 360 so bad drivers can hone their mad skillz without risking other people's lives.

Under the hood there's a host of unnecessary modifications. The STI is already an extremely fast car that needs much in the way of driver confidence and little in the way of increased mechanical ability.

In fact, the real point of this car seems to be to highlight the range of official tuning parts available through Subaru dealers. We knew we preferred the plain old 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX for a reason.

The full press release follows:

Subaru Designs Custom Impreza WRX STI for Rally Champ Travis Pastrana

PRNewswire
CHICAGO

- Pastrana Won His Third Consecutive Rally America National Championship for Subaru in 2008

- Special WRX STI Fortified with SPT and STI Parts

- Carbon Fiber Hood and Rear Wing

- Custom Interior with High-Power Audio System and Xbox

CHICAGO, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ — Subaru of America, Inc. will show a one-of-a-kind Subaru Impreza WRX STI designed for its factory rally driver Travis Pastrana at the Chicago Auto Show, February 13-22 in McCormick Place. Subaru worked with Pastrana to create a brilliant yellow "199" liveried WRX STI to commemorate his third consecutive Rally America National Championship. Pastrana is scheduled to appear at the Chicago Auto Show to sign autographs in the Subaru booth February 14th and 15th.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080325/SUBARULOGO)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090209/NEM137)

Winner of nine X Games Gold Medals, two for X Games Rally competition, Pastrana's street ride had to be as formidable on the road as his racing WRX STI is on the rally circuit. The Travis Pastrana WRX STI is not only a visual stunner, but also amps up performance capability of the stock production Impreza WRX STI. Vermont SportsCar, technical partner for Subaru and builder of the team's rally cars, customized the WRX STI using an array of Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) and STI parts, along with unique custom pieces. The SPT and STI engine, exhaust, chassis and interior parts showcased on the Travis Pastrana WRX STI are available for any WRX STI through authorized Subaru dealers.

Travis Pastrana: Rally Star

Pastrana was already a motocross champion and X Games gold medal winner when he launched a rally career in 2003. He began driving for the Subaru-backed Vermont SportsCar rally team in 2004.

On August 5, 2006 Pastrana won the gold medal in the first rally car competition at the X Games and was signed to lead the new Subaru Rally Team USA in 2006. Pastrana secured his third consecutive Rally America National Championship driver's title with a win at the 2008 Rally Colorado round of the championship.

Pastrana WRX STI: Back-Road and Highway Star

Commissioned by Subaru, Vermont SportsCar started the Travis Pastrana WRX STI with a stock 305-horsepower 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STI. Pastrana's new WRX STI delivers even sharper handling response than the stock model. An SPT front strut tower brace and SPT lower chassis brace help to further tighten handling response. The stock wheels and tires are replaced by BF Goodrich G-Force Super Sport A/S 275/35 ZR18 tires on Work Evolution XD-9 18 x 9-in. wheels in custom satin black. Red STI Brembo brake calipers with white "STI" decals are visible behind the spokes.

The rally-bred WRX STI exterior design lights up with custom yellow paint and graphics. The carbon fiber hood and carbon fiber rear wing are unique to the Pastrana's WRX STI. As on the stock production WRX STI, the functional hood scoop streams outside air to an intercooler. The Sport Mesh Grille is available for all WRX STI owners. Likewise, the STI front chin spoiler and the exhaust finishers are available through Subaru dealers. A set of PIAA 2100 HID driving lights and rally-spec mud flaps underscore the aggressive rally-bred design of the 5-door WRX STI.

Engine Compartment

Under its custom carbon fiber hood, this WRX STI is equipped with a number of modifications including a performance-tuned ECU and custom Down Pipe to unleash a bit more power from the DOHC 2.5-liter intercooled turbo Boxer engine. A turbo boost gauge facilitates tuning. The SPT billet aluminum battery hold-down and billet aluminum oil cap are rendered in the trademark SPT blue color.

Interior

The custom blue Alcantara interior upholstery, the trademark of the original U.S.-spec WRX STIs, is accented with Pastrana's traditional yellow piping and "199 Pastrana" embroidered logos in yellow thread to match vehicle exterior. Likewise, custom yellow stitching is used to accent the steering wheel, shifter boot and parking brake handle boot. An STI short-throw shifter provides an even more direct connection to the 6-speed manual gearbox. Carbon fiber patterned interior trim highlights the dash, doors and console. A rally map light and co-driver foot rest bring a bit of Pastrana's Subaru Rally Team USA car into his new street WRX STI.

During a rally, Pastrana listens to a continuous stream of navigation commands from his co-driver. In his new custom WRX STI, he can listen to anything he wants — loudly. The audio system is based on an Eclipse AVN 6620 navigation/DVD/CD/MP3 stereo head unit and uses Kicker amplifiers and speakers, including:

* Kicker ZX700.5 4x75 watt and 1x400 watt stereo amplifier
* Kicker RS65.2 6.5-in. component speakers, front
* Kicker RS56.2 5.25/6-in. component speakers, rear
* Kicker Solo-Baric L5 10-in. subwoofer in a custom subwoofer/amplifier enclosure

An Xbox 360 is also mounted under the front passenger seat, rounding a package that is as entertaining as its owner. Pastrana and his co-driver can play the Colin McRae DIRT video game using custom yellow controllers.

Michigan is home to both the start and end of the yearly RallyAmerica racing circuit. The 2008 season came to an end in Houghton, Michigan last October at the Lake Superior Pro Rally. The fresh 2009 season begins anew here in Atlanta, Michigan during the dead of winter.

Snowmobiles and 4x4 trucks aren't just a convenience in Atlanta - they're a necessary facet of life. Good thing we were locked, stocked and two smoking cameras while rolling in our Roush Propane-powered F-150. This time we were pushing giant steamroller tires on chrome wheels as the factory hides met a smokey demise at an earlier date.

The rally went down as a classic snow rally with plenty of snowbank-Plinko and lots of off-course sliding. Spectators were quick to jump in and assist when drivers chose to jam their cars firmly into the stout, powdered walls. Our rookie favorite of last year Kyle Sarasin was stuck in an old front wheels-driven Mitsubishi Eclipse after his previous yellow Subaru-wielding team was disbanded. The title of Most Jalopnik Rally Car of this event was taken by Greg and Tom Woodside in their turbo 1987 Dodge Shadow.

After a short battle with Travis for the lead, Ken Block was knocked out in the first day with a mechanical failure as a result of a minor crash. Travis Pastrana and Christian Edstrom secured the first place finish while Tanner Foust and Co-driver Chrissie Beavis locked in the second rank in their Hyundai Tiburon. Andrew "ACP" Comrie-Picard and Marc Goldfarb snuck into third place after fighting against some handling problems in their Mistu Evolution IX. BMX baddie Dave Mirra pulled in a strong 6th-place finish.

Keep an eye on our RallyAmerica tag as we'll soon be following up with an exclusive behind the scenes look at Subaru's Rally Team, a full HD video of Sno*Drift and Travis and Ken's In-Car video. We're stuffing our hatchbacks in preparation of the 100 Acre Wood rally in a few weeks time located in Salem, MO. Press on regardless!

Partial Photo Credit: Alex "Tater Salad" Conley

Pricey rally cars eating snowbank is a perennial favorite up here in freezin' Atlanta, Michigan at the Sno*Drift Rally. Consider this a teaser for the massive, steaming pile of coverage we're about to bestow upon the internets. At the moment, we're digging through the 10 gigabytes of tasty action shots and miles of HD videotape we captured in the past weekend. To whet your appetite for now, please accept this epic shot we've lovingly placed below for your consumption.

To follow all of our obscene coverage of Sno*Drift and the rest of the scene from here on out, hit the RallyAmerica tag.

Photo Credit: Alex "Chocolate Lovin" Conley

The scene is northern Michigan. Very north. We're headed for the Houghton area, which is so far north it can't be properly represented by the usual "Michigan=Hand" model. We're in a convoy with amateur rally driver Billy Elliot and his tired but trusty VW GTI Group 2 racer. We're hauling fast to make it on time for the Parc Expose, the opening portion of the rally where the drivers must display their cars for viewing by the public. After all, it's the least they could do as a torrent of horsepower, oversteer and raucous noise is about to befall their tiny town.

With Travis Pastrana the far and away points leader coming into this race, this one is simply run for bragging rights and the second place position. Being the last race on the RallyAmerica circuit for the year, with also being the toughest and roughest, all of the cars are truly going for broke with the dire hopes of clinching a win. The regional guys push extra hard as this is their turf; they've got the home team advantage. The surface is hard packed dirt with a short stage over the Brockway Skyway, which is medium-quality tarmac that connects the Copper Harbor mountaintops. Brockway is the only stage on the entire RallyAmerica circuit to be run on true tarmac at race speeds, including its harrowing jumps and sheer cliff faces.

Heading up the Michigan regional racers and winning the award for Most Jalopnik Rally Car Ever is a bloke by the name of Mark Utecht in his Foxbody Mustang powered by a stroked 383 Windsor. Nothing can speak for the badassery of such a ride more than having it kick a half ton of fine silt into your lens from 20 feet away before speeding off into the sunset, back tires desperately fighting and losing a battle between a low traction surface and a high horsepower engine.

Ken Block eventually cinched the overall win, cementing himself in second place just below Travis and right above upcoming superstar Kyle Sarasin. Our pivot Billy Elliot walked away with no awards but was ultimately satisfied to leave his first performance rally alive and with a mostly functioning car.

Would you like to see more RallyAmerica coverage? Check back here as we're due to cover the Sno*Drift Rally next week in Atlanta, MI. We'll be on the scene in a Roush Propane F-150 just like this one and on the back of a pair of snowmobiles. If you spot us, feel free to say hi! See everyone out on the stage.

Video and Partial Photo Credit: Clutch Creatography

Although the exact details are still beyond murky, we've got word straight from The Man describing a bit of what's in store for the future of rallying on the international stage. The official statement:

As already announced, the 2010 World Rally Car will be S2000 based. However, the removable kit, already adopted by the WMSC, will be redefined with no electronic benefits, or similar upgrades, to ensure cost reductions. The new S2000-based World Rally Car will only be permitted for use on World Rally Championship events.

The FIA Production Car World Rally Championship will be retained for Group N cars, including the existing S2000 car.

Let's back up a bit. Super 2000 cars are currently sporting naturally-aspirated 2.0 Liter or smaller engines with no electronic driver aids. There are a few other rules, but what sets these rockets apart from the rest of the field is one chief difference: affordability. Rally is sometimes leagues above other comparable motorsports in terms of cost. It's in the FIA's interest to keep costs low as possible to attract more manufacturers in an effort at capturing a larger market of viewers.

The year 2010 marks the arrival of the World Rally Championship spec vehicle. The only information available at the moment is word this car will be Super 2000-based, but will feature a removable performance kit featuring a spec'd turbocharger, aero package and a few other small modifications looking to add somewhere around 50 horsepower. The kit is expected to cost somewhere south of 30,000 euro. It's likely the kit will be used to differentiate between green and experienced drivers — slower rally cars are safer and more easily controlled.

This news brings the promise of more rally cars in more races in more countries, providing a rare happy moment during the Carpocalypse. [WRC]

Hat tip to Scroggs!

Apparently Travis Pastrana has injured himself sustaining a rumored broken hip and ankle—we don’t have full details on how, although Travis is no stranger to crippling injuries. At 14 years old, he separated his spine from his pelvis and put himself into a coma for two weeks, thereby joining the small handful of people who lived through such damage. Since then, he's had more surgeries than Cheney yet always bounced back.

For this who don't know what the Race of Champions is, or may have it confused with the long dead aquaneon International Race of Champions, here's a primer:

To boil it down to it's gritty essence, the ROC pulls drivers of circuit racing and offroad racing series from around the world, sticks them in twitchy little rockets like the KTM X-Bow or the Abarth 500 and sets them loose to compete against each other head-to-head in the newly minted Wembley Stadium in London. Sounds like a hell of an event to miss when you've already got yourself a seat, right?

Get well soon, Travis.

[Autofiends]