Defending two-wheel drive United States Rally Champion, Erika Detota began her season on the podium. As theopening eastern round of the USRC, Rally New York USA took place in and around the towns of Monticello andWalton, NY. The roads themselves, still coated in spots with sand and snow, were made more treacherous with freshice from the weekend’s unseasonably cold weather.

Prior to the event, crews were allowed to go out and “recce” the course, driving at normal speeds along the route andmaking their own pacenotes, with which they would navigate at speed during the race. This was the first time Detotacreated her own pace notes from the ground up, rather than modifying those supplied by the event’s organizer. “Idecided to take on the challenge of writing my own notes, which was a huge challenge for me but it is part of growingas a driver” she said.

Detota was partnered for this event by mentor Travis Hanson, who was a rather exciting surprise to see in theright seat. Hanson is the current Rally America National Championship leader making history as the first SuperProduction driver to have the honor. “The plan for sitting with Erika was to help her with pace and driving skills” saysHanson “and I was pleased we accomplished our goals together.”

Detota and Hanson turned in solid times throughout the race until a broken fuel line towards the end of the secondday cost them over ten minutes and dropped them back in the order. Once back under way, Erika pushed forwardand made her way back to a solid 3rd place finish in the 2wd class. “After a few setbacks throughout the rally I waspleased on the last stage to feel much more confident and end the rally with the top 2wd stage time.”
For more information and video from the race please go to: Rally New York, 2011 Video by SportCE.com featuringErika Detota http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUvFaIddyLk

Erika would like to thank her friends and fans, Broken Motorsports, The Keep a Breast Foundation (http://www.keep-a-breast.org/), Rally Armour (www.rallyarmor.com) and Big Boulder Park (http://www.bigboulderpark.com/) for their continued assistance and support.

Rallying is a form of motorsport unlike any other and involves real cars traveling at breakneck speeds down closed off sections of real roads. Cars are generallystarted at one minute intervals and the shortest cumulative elapsed time to complete each section of closed road, wins. Each team consists of a driver and co-driver, whose job is to instruct the driver where to turn and warn them of potential obstacles ahead. In between the competition sections, the teams transit alongpublic roads, while obeying all traffic laws, en route to the next closed section.