MEXICO – Matthew and Tami Emmons made the trip from Niantic, Conn., to feed their passion – watching rally drivers whip through dirt roads.

“I’m a Subaru rally fan,” Matthew said. “This is the closest I get to a world championship.”

Although he’s been to Maine in the past, his wife, from New Mexico, hasn’t.

“This is God’s country,” she said of the beauty surrounding the Mexico Recreation Park where nearly 100 modified cars were preparing to start the race through 108 miles of backwoods roads.

The Emmonses, like hundreds of drivers, road crews, visitors and family members, are staying in a local motel. For them, it’s the Madison in Rumford. For others, it may be the Linnell in Rumford, or any number of other lodging places in the Bethel, Newry and Rangeley areas. And they eat in local restaurants.

“Being a national program, this is good for the area, an excellent thing,” said Roger Whitehouse, vice president of the River Valley Chamber of Commerce. “We’ll get recognized in the national media and auto magazines.”

Robin Zinchuk, executive director of the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce, agrees.

“The event started in Rumford, but it has grown. They needed more lodging places. This and other events keep people working in the summer,” she said of the many people who stay in Newry or Bethel. The awards ceremony also takes place at Sunday River ski area in Newry.

The variety of the influx of visitors was seen in the license plates of both drivers and their supporters. People came from Nebraska and California, from Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey, from Georgia, Missouri and Michigan, from Ohio, Virginia and Vermont, as well as Maine.

Linda and Allen Downs of Wells are supporters of their son Allen Jr. He’s racing a 1997 Subaru WRX, and Linda and Allen will be watching.

“It is so exciting,” said Linda. “I get so nervous and usually walk a mile or so before the race starts, but I love it.”

They also give their son three bays in their garage so he can work on the car.

Allen Sr. said he enjoys coming to the Rumford/Mexico area.

“They do a lot to make sure it’s a safe route,” he said.

Some of the drivers have driven in the Maine Pro Rally in the past, others have not.

Mark Everett of White Plains, N.Y., and Ontario, Canada, has driven the lead vehicle, which checks for safety, for several years. The Maine segment is one of his favorites.

“It has beautiful roads and beautiful forests, and the people who own them are great. This is one of the best rallies,” he said.

The Maine Pro Rally race is part of the Sports Car Club of America national race. The next leg of the nationwide competition is in Alabama in the fall.