2012 RALLY AMERICA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP KICKS-OFF AT SNO*DRIFT

2012 RALLY AMERICA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP KICKS-OFF AT SNO*DRIFT
Organizers Post Record 70-Car Entry List

January 13, 2012 (Williston, VT) -- The 38th running of the Sno*Drift Rally in Northern Michigan will once again kick-off the six events that comprise the 2012 Rally America National Championship on January 27th and 28th, 2012. Based in Montmorency County, the Sno*Drift Rally is the only snow-covered event where high-powered rally cars will speed, jump, and slide down narrow ice-covered stages!

A record-setting 70 teams from across the U.S. and Canada will test their skills on the snow-banked roads which are sure to be an exciting setting to begin the 2012 Rally America National Championship. (See the full Sno*Drift Rally entry list here: www.rally-america.com/events/2012/SNODRIFT/entries/

.....The top story from last year’s Sno*Drift Rally was the history-making achievement of Traverse City, Michigan’s Travis and Terry Hanson piloting their Super Production (SP) 2007 Subaru WRX STI to an overall win. It was the first time an SP Class car won an event outright, which ultimately positioned them for a 2011 Rally America National Championship third-place overall finish. The Hansons will test their luck again in challenging the more powerful Open Class cars, but as everyone knows, the snow can be an equalizing factor giving anyone a chance for victory........

Fans attending the 2012 Sno*Drift Rally will have plenty of opportunities to meet their favorite drivers and watch the rally action on more than 120 miles of competition roads and at the fan-friendly Ralph Thayer Mazda sponsored Super Special stage which takes place in the afternoon on Saturday, January 28th in Lewiston, MI.

The Sno*Drift Rally begins in downtown Lewiston, MI on Friday, January 27, 2012 at the 1:00pm Parc Expose where spectators will have a chance to view the rally cars on display as well as meet and get autographs from the many drivers and co-drivers prior to the start of the event. Fans will be able to pick up complimentary spectator guides that provide driving instructions to nearby viewing areas. It’s the perfect starting place for a day full of rally competition and an adventure in the beautiful Michigan woods.

The action continues in downtown Atlanta, MI at 8:00am, on Saturday, January 28, 2012, with another Parc Expose before heading to the Ralph Thayer Mazda Super Special Stage. The Super Special is a rally stage where spectators can watch all the rally action from start to finish from the comfort of one viewing location. The Super Special will be held at the Lewiston Sand & Gravel Pit located just off of Buttles Road - admission is just $5 per person. Due to limited on-site parking, organizers are providing free bus rides from the Atlanta, MI School and the Lewiston Ace Hardware store beginning at noon. Details of both opportunities are currently available on the event website: www.sno-drift.org.

In addition to the Super Special planned for Saturday, the Sno*Drift Rally organizers are proud to announce the return of the Ralph Thayer Mazda-sponsored Sno*Attack 2-Wheel-Drive Class competition supporting grassroots rally competitors. The Top 5 overall two-wheel-drive finishers of the Ralph Thayer Mazda Sno*Attack competition have a chance to split over $5,000 in prize money. Detroit area auto dealer, Ralph Thayer Mazda, is a long-time supporter of regional rallycross events in the Detroit area and has stepped up their involvement in stage rally in recent years. More information regarding both the Super Special and the Ralph Thayer Sno Attack two-wheel-drive competition can be found at www.sno-drift.org and www.thayerauto.com.

Rally America will feature an online broadcast of the Sno*Drift Rally on www.rally-america.com beginning at 1:00pm EST on Friday, January 27th. The free live-streaming broadcast will bring you live stage racing, driver interviews, results, and analysis. This marks the first time that Rally America will live stream a National Championship event. The organization believes the increased exposure will help grow the sport and give greater visibility to all National Championship events, drivers, and their sponsors.

The 2012 Rally America National Championship is proudly supported by VP Racing Fuels - the Official Fuel of Rally America, Exedy Racing Clutches, Hawk Performance Brakes, ParkNBlend and RECARO seats.

About Rally America:
Based in Williston, VT, Rally America, Inc. sanctions the premier performance Rally series in the United States, the Rally America National Championship Series. In 2012, Rally America will be conducting six National Championship events at venues across the country, from Seattle, Washington to Newry, Maine. Rally America competitors reach speeds of well over 100 mph in modified street cars on natural-terrain courses consisting of gravel, dirt or snow. More information about the Rally America National Championship Series and the sport of Rally can be found at www.rally-america.com and videos can viewed at www.youtube.com/rallyamericaseries.

Photo: Scott Rains/WorldRallySport







Rally America

Rally America

Q&A with Travis Hanson, Super Production Champ Thursday, September 29, 2011 Super Production (SP) Class driver, Travis Hanson from Littleton, NH, had a sensational 2011 Rally America season making rally history as the highest finishing SP driver to date. On his way to a third place overall finish Hanson became the first SP driver to win an event overall at the season opener Sno*Drift Rally in Atlanta, Michigan. Hanson stayed on top of the Rally America National Championship leaderboard until he ceded the lead to Subaru Rally Team USA’s David Higgins, who eventual took the 2011 Rally America National Championship. Travis Hanson and his co-driver and father, Terry Hanson, have been a perennial favorite with fans and fellow competitors year-after-year. We recently caught up with this dynamic driver after he got some much needed rest to reflect on this past year’s accomplishments, and took a look at the 2012 season which is only a few months away. RA: You made some significant strides this year in your car preparation over the last few years. What did you do differently to improve the reliability of your car? HANSON: Over the past 3 years we have worked to make our car as reliable as possible. In a series of only 6 races there is no room for mechanical “Did Not Finishes”. There has been a lot of trial and error building up to the reliable car that we have now. We have blown up motors, had troubles with brakes and had electrical problems. So I guess you can say that we finally sorted out the car. Our pre-event preparations have made a huge difference this year as well. When championship points are on the line we have to make sure we have the best chance of finishing the race! That means really taking care of the car between events and being proactive to mechanical issues. It might cost more money to replace a part or take up more of your time, but the alternative is a possible DNF with no championship points, and a broken car that will still cost you time and money. RA: You also didn't replace a single panel on the car this year, yet you were able to finish near the top of the leader board at every event? How did you do that? HANSON: Consistency was something that I have struggled with. I have always felt like I had the speed to be competitive, but had a hard time finding the finish line. This year was different. Ultimately I think it came down to me not wanting to repair the car any more. After X Games in 2010 where I rolled the car, I never wanted to do body work again, haha! But really, I have lead the SP Championship before and lost due to inconsistency. There is no room for errors; you have to finish if you want to win. Overall I have just been patient this year and let the races come to me. It was very hard to lead the overall Championship for the first half of the season. I never wanted to place a wheel wrong, and I guess I did pretty well. All eyes were on me and it’s a lot of pressure to continually do well at every event, but finishing top 5 overall at every event was nothing short of miraculous. It was a dream season that will be hard to replicate. RA: Have you seen your driver profile and recognition increase since becoming the first SP driver to win an event overall? Do you have any funny or memorable fan memories from this season? HANSON: Yes. There were so many people at events that came up to me to congratulate me on a job well done. Everyone knows that we are a small family team that is self-funded and they appreciate our grassroots background. Everyone loves the underdog story! I have been told I am a true ambassador for the sport and for all grassroots racers out there. Honestly some people consider me “famous,” but I think of myself as just a regular guy who does regular things. RA: You've had incredible success with your father as your co-driver the past few years. What does he do to elevate your game? HANSON: To be able to compete with my dad this year has been an amazing experience. People tell me all the time that they would never be able to do Rally with their dad; too much fighting or bickering and probably crashing. The fact that I did so well in the Championship and did it with my dad is the best part. Years from now I might not remember who I was competing against or how I did at a particular event, but I will always remember the time I spent with my dad inside that rally car. RA: What was the most memorable moment you experienced this season? HANSON: The Sno*Drift Rally had to be the most memorable moment of the year. Sno*Drift was the very first event I attended (with my dad) and the event that was closest to where I grew up. Sno*Drift is also my favorite event! To say that winning Sno*Drift was a dream of mine is an understatement! I was not expecting to be atop the podium at the end of the event, and in a Super Production car! Once we were leading the event I was so nervous that I would screw up and crash out that I never really had time to enjoy it. It never really sunk in until the awards ceremony where we received a standing ovation as we accepted the trophy. I will never forget! RA: What are you doing this Fall and Winter to keep busy and remain on top of your Rally game? HANSON: Since New England Forest Rally I have done nothing to the car, or really anything Rally related. I went on a “real” vacation that didn’t include Rally and just spent time with family, friends and loved ones, new and old. It has been extremely nice, but I am starting to think about racing again. I still have to work on the Rally car a lot and I would like to start working on myself. I want to start working out and getting back in shape. If I want to get to the next level I will have to do more than just show up and drive a car, I am going to need more mental and physical capacity. RA: Are you making preparations for the 2012 season? If so, what do you want to accomplish now that you've set the SP bar higher? HANSON: I don’t have a great plan for 2012. I am unsure what the future will bring. I don’t have people knocking my door down to give me sponsorship dollars, nor do I expect anyone to do that. I have to get out and do some more marketing myself and see what becomes of it. Knowing that I did so well this year with the SP car I would like to raise the bar for 2012, but I’m not sure what that means just yet. Of course I would love to run at the top in Open Class, but that requires a lot more commitment in the car and out! I hope to have some great announcement in the coming months, but we will have to wait and see. Photo 1: Mike Proulx/WorldRallySport

Travis Hanson Ends Spectacular Season at the Top

via Rally-America.com

Thursday, July 21, 2011
Travis Hanson celebrates the most successful season of his career as the newly crowned Rally America Super Production Class Champion.

The 26-year-old from Littleton, NH flawlessly campaigned a 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI with his father Terry as co-driver to a remarkable third place finish in the overall Rally America National Championship - a feat never accomplished before by a Production driver.

Hanson began making history and headlines at the opening round of the 2011 season when he became the first Super Production driver to ever claim an outright win in the National Series, defeating the factory-backed Subaru team, the privateer Rockstar Rally team, and a slew of fast Open Class cars at the Sno*Drift Rally. The under-sponsored crew of Hanson and Hanson immediately captured the hearts of fans and gained significant attention from the media with their story of underdog triumph. Hanson went on to control the points lead of the overall Championship well into the fourth round of the six-round Series, another first for a Super Production team, and clinched the SP Class Title by the fifth round.

Hanson capped off a perfect year standing third on the overall podium at the New England Forest Rally (NEFR), the sixth and final round of the Championship. Maine's rough and rugged logging roads nearly put the privateer out of the event when he faced mechanical issues on the second day of the rally.

Hanson battled Tom Lawless, a quick Open Class driver, throughout the race. He explained, "we had a lead of about one minute at the start of the second day, but with the troubles we had he [Lawless] steadily gained time. We pushed the car as hard as possible to the edge of overheating and in the end were able to beat him to the podium by only 7 seconds!"

Although their Subaru suffered overheating issues and a cracked oil pan at the final race, the Hansons managed to finish the rally at the top. "It was great to see the team pull together and get the car back on the road. I am so lucky to have such a skilled crew...without them my success wouldn't have been possible," he said.

Hanson displayed dynamic driving abilities he has developed over the span of his young career by consistently finishing in the top five overall on each event of the 2011 Series. J.B. Niday, director of the RallyCar Rally America Championship, recognized the progress Hanson has made in his five years of driving at the National level. Niday congratulated Travis and Terry for their outstanding season by saying, "Travis has shown us his speed in the past, but this year he was consistently fast and drove six clean rallies. He certainly took his game to another level this season."

Hanson's high level of success is not easily achieved by privateers in this sport. Hanson said, "we have run season-long with a tiny budget, which we made work with help and support from our sponsors, friends and family." T. Hanson Motorsport is backed by Team O’Neil Rally School, Olson’s Auto Body, Exedy, Broken Motorsports and Dick Hannah Subaru.

Photos: Pete Kuncis/www.onalimbracing.com

2011 New England Forest Rally Podium News Conference

NEFR 2011 - Third place OverAll, T. Hanson Motorsports. Credits to Michel Dansereau Photo

Championship Success at STPR for T- Hanson Motorsports

Via our friends at Dirty Impreza

By Ian Price

Travis Hanson emerged from the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally as the early champion of the 2011 Rally America Super Production Title. Throughout 2011 Hanson and his team have shown great maturity using strategy and consistent driving, the Pennsylvanian event was no exception taking their 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI to claim fourth overall, and second place in the Super Production class.

It wasn’t all smooth for Hanson. He battled personal allergies and drastically changing road conditions throughout the weekend, affecting his focus. By reducing speed and working as a team Travis and Terry got to the end of the rally as proud champions. Pending the appeal lodged against the OTR protest ruling, Hanson will have secured the Super Production class title by taking four consecutive class victories from the start of the season, a feat which no other driver has achieved to-date in the Rally America sanctioned series.

Photo: Mike Proulx

An elated Hanson said, “I am so excited about the Championship. We have been fighting for this for years. To be able to accomplish this goal with my dad is awesome.”

Championship and race wins most often focus on the driver, but in reality to get a rally car through an entire season, on some of the toughest terrains, it takes a solid team effort. Hanson wants to thank and praise his devoted team who worked so hard for the success earned.

“Our crew has been amazing all year. The pre-event preparations were immaculate helping on the really rough stages” said Travis, adding “The entire year has been great, and we could not have done it without each person involved. Thank you to our sponsors Team O’Neil Rally School, Olson’s Auto Body, OSLV, Exedy, Broken Motorsports and Dick Hannah Subaru for their support, without their backing we would not have had the opportunity to achieved what we have.”

Photo: Mike Proulx

Hanson sits third in the overall Rally America National Championship standings, with the New England Forest Rally next in the schedule, which he plans to contest. The Newry, Maine based rally is the final round ofthe 2011 Rally America National Championship season, and Hanson has a new goal, shooting for overall honors saying “we will go to NEFR ready to defend our top 3 position.”

Oregon Results to Remain Provisional Until Protest Ruling

http://www.rally-america.com/news/956/

Thursday, May 19, 2011
The results of the 2011 Oregon Trail Rally will remain provisional pending the decision of a RallyCar Protest Committee about a claim filed by the Super Production team of Travis and Terry Hanson against Ramana Lagemann and co-driver Chrissie Beavis. The Rally America National Championship points standings will not be updated until a committee until this matter is final

A Protest Committee has been assembled consisting of individuals familiar with RallyCar’s rules. The Committee will interview relevant teams, officials, and witnesses to render a decision.

The outcome of the protest will have a direct bearing on both teams’ Oregon Trail Rally, Class, and overall Championship standings.

Any organizer, official, entrant, or competitor may appeal the decision by the Protest Committee within 30 minutes of its announcement. The appellant then has 10 days to submit their appeal. An Appeals Committee will be formed during the 10 day period and they will have 15 days to make a decision based on the appeal.

RallyCar will release a statement once the Protest Committee makes a decision on the Hansons’ claim.

Photo Credit: www.WorldRallySport.com | Matthew Young

OTR 2011 Images from our friends at WORLDRALLYSPORT.COM

T-Hanson Motorsports drove clean and precise in Day 3 of the Oregon Trail Rally today. 4th overall , 2nd in SP class - very narrow gap between competitors. Great racing Travis Hanson and Terry Hanson !

Oregon Trail Rally SP Class Podium :
1. Lagemann/Beavis 1:27:53.6
2. Hanson/Hanson 1:27:57.2
3. Eklund/Price

Special thanks to Gary Cupp for Service support !

The Hansons on Pavement @ PIR Spectator Super Special

The Hansons on Pavement at PIR

Bill Wood of Rally-America and TechHouse and Speed takes a minute to talk with Travis & Terry Hanson, the 2011 RallyCar Points Leaders about the Friday Night Spectator Stage at PIR at Oregon Trail.

2011 Olympus Rally Recap

Via Rally-America youtube.com channel

Images taken by our friends at WORLDRALLYSPORT.com - from the stages of the 2011 Olympus Rally