Fifteen years have passed since the Sports Car Club of America’s idea of adding a winter rally to the schedule brought professional rally racers from throughout North America into the western foothills of Maine in the middle of a pre-Christmas blizzard.
Now a summer event, the Maine Forest Rally brings one of the world’s most popular spectator sports to one of the most picturesque stops on its schedule.
The rally begins at 2 p.m. this afternoon with a staggered start from the Mexico Recreation Area. Two days of racing will steer drivers and co-drivers in four different categories throughout the foothills and forests, covering a triangular course between Rumford/Mexico, Berlin, N.H., and Bethel.
Teams compete against the clock in pursuit of the best overall time.
Today’s competition wraps up at approximately 8:30 p.m., with racing scheduled to restart in Berlin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday before finishing at Sunday River Ski Area in Newry at 6 p.m.
Rallying has gained steam in the United States throughout this decade as a new generation of “extreme” athletes gravitates to the sport. This year’s Maine Forest Rally is the final qualifying event for the Summer X Games in Los Angeles. Two spots remain available for that prestigious rally, which will air live Saturday, Aug. 5, on ABC.
Two X Games veterans in the extreme motocross realm highlight this year’s Maine Forest Rally entry list.
Travis Pastrana, an X Games gold medalist, currently is tied for the lead in the Rally America national championship standings along with his co-driver, Christian Edstrom, in the Open division. Reigning freestyle motocross champ Kenny Bartram is tops in the Production class.
Prior to the rally, each team receives a set of instructions and a route book. Practice is not allowed, giving the co-driver the crucial role of keeping the driver abreast of jumps, sharp turns, water and other potential obstructions.
Friday’s stage will cover 28 miles in four stages, testing the teams through the heat of the mid-afternoon sun into dusk. Saturday’s new Berlin-to-Bethel layout adds another six stages and 68 miles to the mix.
The gravel courses vary in width and degree of difficulty, with cars exceeding 100 mph in many of the speed traps.
Top challengers in the Open class include Andrew Pinker of Australia and California’s Ken Block. Six-time champion and perennial Maine Forest Rally threat Paul Choiniere of Shelburne, Vt., is also entered.
Local drivers to watch include Christoper Duplessis of Mason Township, a former New England champion go-kart racer now making strides in rallying. Two Bangor teams, Dave Getchell and Steve McKelvie and John Cassidy and Erik Lee, are entered in the Open division.
Matthew Iorio of Westmoreland, N.H., was 2005 North American Rally Cup champion and is presently fifth in Open points.
Spectators have have two unique opportunities to see the cars and drivers up close at the pre-race Parc Exposes, which are slated for noon today at Mexico Recreation Area and 8:15 a.m. Saturday in Berlin’s Glen Avenue Park. Viewing areas are also located at each stage. For more information, go to www.maineforestrally.com.
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