The 2011 Oregon Trail Rally got underway Thursday morning at Pioneer Square in downtown Portland, OR. Fans and enthusiasts flocked to the square for a chance to meet the drivers and check out this weekend's lineup of top rally cars. Immediately following the Parc Expose, teams headed to Portland International Raceway to give press rides to journalists and other media. SRT USA's busy day concluded with a visit to Dick Hannah Subaru in Vancouver, WA, where the #75 WRX STI was on display and David Higgins and Craig Drew were on-hand to mingle with fans and sign autographs.
The real action kicked off Friday evening as teams ran the first four stages of the rally at Portland International Raceway. David Higgins and Craig Drew launched their lightning-quick WRX STI off the line and into first place with a lead of eleven seconds at the end of day 1. Dave Mirra and Marshall Clarke followed closely behind, in third place overall. The results of day 1 put Subaru Rally Team USA in a great position to start this weekend's gravel stages. Tomorrow, the racers convene in The Dalles, Oregon for a Parc Expose at 10AM. Seven stages will be run Saturday, starting with SS5 "Huskey" at 11:45AM and ending 72 stage miles later at 8:07PM after SS12.
