At the conclusion of Day 2 at the 2011 Oregon Trail Rally, Subaru Rally Team USA's David Higgins and Craig Drew have amassed a staggering three-and-a-half minute lead. Starting the day in first place, the duo were in the best spot on the road, staying ahead of the dust clouds being kicked up on the dry stage roads. That advantage was, however, diminished by a minor brake issue which left them with front brakes only for three stages. Unwilling to relinquish their lead, SRT USA #75 kept pushing and lost minimal time. The issue was quickly resolved when the car returned to service and Higgins and Drew set out again as the weather began to turn. The sky darkened from the West as a thick cloud cover quickly rolled in and lightning struck along Stage 10. By the start of that stage, heavy rain had turned the road in to such an unnavigable mess that many of the drivers thought their handling difficulties were due to broken cars. "I thought I had broken a rear axle," said David Higgins, "so I really pushed to make up lost time." It turns out the #75 WRX STI was in perfect running order and had set the fastest time on that stage by over fifty seconds—an amazing gap for a single stage. The day's subsequent stages were cancelled due to such treacherous conditions and now David Higgins and Craig Drew will start tomorrow with a more-than comfortable lead.
Dave Mirra's race in Car #40 ended early when he and Marshall Clarke rolled on Stage 6. This is a big disappointment for Dave and the team who, after three successful events, were at second place in the Rally America National Championship standings—only a single point from being tied for first.
The rally is scheduled to continue Sunday with a Parc Expose in Dufur, OR at 10AM, after which the remaining five stages of the event will be run. Weather may continue be a factor on Sunday's stages. If more heavy rains fall throughout the area, road conditions could deteriorate beyond the point of being operational for competition. David Higgins and Craig Drew are certainly hoping for more racing, as they are thoroughly enjoying the ride in their 2011 Subaru WRX STI.
