(January 31, 2011) Subaru Rally Team USA driver Dave Mirra achieved a rally career best 2nd Overall finish at the season opening Sno*Drift Rally via a comeback late in the rally. Mirra, at the wheel of his 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car, patiently moved up the leaderboard after a tire puncture early in the rally dropped him down to 5th Overall.
Driving smooth and mistake free Mirra, with co-driver Marshall Clarke, caught and overhauled 2nd overall position on the penultimate stage of the rally. The 2011 Sno*Drift Rally, held in snowy northern Michigan was round one of the six round 2011 Rally America National Championship.
Mirra’s new teammate, multi-time British and American Rally champion David Higgins, co-driven by Craig Drew, made his competition debut with Subaru Rally Team USA at the 2011 Sno*Drift Rally. Higgins led the rally briefly before an engine issue forced him to retire from the event late on day one.
The Sno*Drift Rally featured nearly 130 miles of snow and ice-covered roads in northern Michigan with nearly one third of the miles run at night. Constantly changing weather and road conditions historically make this rally one of the most difficult in the Rally America Championship. The event is made even more challenging due to Rally America rules that prohibit the use of spiked or studded ice tires, placing a premium on traction.