Lake Superior | October 18-19, 2003
David Higgins celebrates his 7th win of the season
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The Lancer Evolution on Saturday afternoon
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Getting ready for action at LSPR 2003
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Daniel Barritt adjusts the car's tire pressure
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The car was responsive and fast
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Fall conditions made for excellent viewing
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Day 2 Update
Saturday, October 18th, 2003
Team Mitsubishi Motor Sports America
2003 LSPR ProRally: Day 2 News & Notes
Higgins ends the 2003 season on top, winning LSPR
It was the end of a remarkable journey, a journey that started and ended
here in Michigan. From snow in early January until the late fall of this
weekend, Team Mitsubishi Motor Sports America showed it's mettle and
determination, ending as true champions: on the podium and solidly in first
place. David Higgins, 2003 Driver's Champion, capped an epic year with his
seventh victory of the season here at the Lake Superior ProRally, making it
seven wins from nine events for Higgins and his Michelin shod Mitsubishi
Lancer Evolution.
On the second day of action in Michigan's Upper Peninsula Higgins battled
back and fourth with new Subaru driver Pasi Hagstrom. The two were virtually
tied after 9 stages of racing, and continued their newfound rivalry
throughout the day.
Higgins fought through a series of problems though, culminating with a
transmission failure on the last stage. With the car stuck in third gear,
teammate Lauchlin O'Sullivan came to the rescue, towing him to the finish.
"We stopped on the road section right after the end of the last stage and
waited for Lauchlin to come driving by so we could wave him down and get a
tow, he played a quick joke on us though and as he drove by acted like he
didn't realize that we needed his help! I thought he was going to continue
driving by and leave us stranded, but it he pulled over soon after he saw
the look on my face." laughed Higgins' co-driver Daniel Barritt.
Higgins was his usual modest self after the race. Looking back, he noted,
"It's been a brilliant year, fantastic to win seven rallies in one season,
quite an achievement." He was equally straightforward in his goals for next
season: "I want to win as many rallies as I enter, win the Driver's
Championship, and I want to do it with Mitsubishi."
Also to be congratulated is Christian Edstrom. By locking up second in the
Co-Driver's Championship, he helps put the Mitsubishi team in 1st and 2nd in
the driving and co-driving championships in both the Overall standings and
Open Class.
However it was not easy by any means. Lauchlin O'Sullivan, who drove
consistently as he has done all season, had continuous small troubles
throughout the day. It all started on Saturday's first stage, when a hard
landing punctured the radiator. With coolant leaking, O'Sullivan and Edstrom
continued onward, adding water as necessary. This saved the engine and
brought them safely to service where the crew quickly replaced the damaged
components.
In addition, O'Sullivan had a driveshaft failure, but was never deterred.
The pair kept pace and achieved their goal.
One and Two in the Driver's Championship, One and Two in the Co-Driver's
Championship. "You couldn't wish for a better result, so I think
we have a
lot to live up to next year. I'm thrilled for 2004," said Edstrom
at the
finish.
The year has gone by quickly. From the team's inception to its current
place
atop the SCCA ProRally series, Team Mitsubishi Motor Sports America has
risen swiftly. Through great driving from Champions David Higgins and
Lauchlin O'Sullivan and their respective co-drivers, to all the team
technicians who worked tirelessly on the cars, and finally to the management
who made it all possible. The team will now take the off-season to develop
and prepare their attack on the 2004 SCCA ProRally Championship.
.
Final Results
DRIVER
/ CO-DRIVER
CAR
NUMBER
MANUFACTURER
TIME
1
David Higgins / Daniel
Barritt
1
Mitsubishi
1:50:34
2
Ramana Lagemann / Michael Orr
5
Subaru
1:51:37
3
Pasi Hagstrom / Marko
Taskinen
14
Subaru
1:53:05
4
Paul Choiniere / John Bennie
11
Hyundai
1:53:23
5
Lauchlin O'Sullivan
/ Christian Edstrom
6
Mitsubishi
1:54:07
6
Tom McGeer / Howard Davies
17
Subaru
1:55:27
7
John Buffum / Stephen McAuley
85
Hyundai
1:57:22
8
Tim O'Neil / Alex Gelsomino
29
Ford
1:58:36
9
Doug Havir / Scott Putnam
88
Subaru
2:00:30
10
Shane Mitchell / Paul Donnelly
45
Subaru
2:00:38
11
Doug Shepherd / Pete Gladysz
52
Dodge
2:05:24
12
Josh Jacquot / Dave Coleman
54
Dodge
2:12:07
13
Otis Dimiters / Peter Monin
774
Subaru
2:13:15
14
Chris Whiteman / Mike Paulin
143
Dodge
2:13:29
15
Jake Himes / Silas Himes
535
Nissan
2:14:09
16
Russell Hodges / Mike Rossey
565
Subaru
2:14:24
17
Valdemaras Maciukevicius / Ernest Bogusevicius
81
Subaru
2:15:14
18
Henry Krolikowski / Al Kaumeheiwa
44
Subaru
2:16:33
19
Chris Czyzio / Eric
Carlson
521
Mitsubishi
2:18:25
20
Eric Burmeister / Cindy Krolikowski
42
Mazda
2:21:05