I’m featured in a Dirty Impreza article about NASA Rally Sport…

November 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Link to DI article: http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27364

NASA Rally Sport Celebrates Ten Strong Years

As fall settles in to 2012, NASA Rally Sport begins its tenth year of sanctioning rallies in the United States of America. As the oldest operating sanctioning body for rally in America, NASA Rally Sport principles ushered in the modern, stage notes focused style of rally, when they first appeared at Cherokee Trails, and today the organization remains focused on supporting and developing grassroots rally racers.

‘It actually seems like it’s getting easier as we go.’ says Anders Green of NASA Rally Sport. ‘We’ve boiled down the mission to some pretty key elements: make sure things work for the grassroots guy, build new technology to make organizing rallies easier, and don’t spend money on pie in the sky frivolities that don’t deliver results. In a nutshell, that’s how we’ve stayed in the black for going on ten years. It’s a simple strategy based on just having fun and doing this because we love it, not because we want to turn rally into an industry or profit center.’
It was the middle of August, back in 2003, when Ray Hocker, then and now a NASA Rally Sport Director, organized the first event under the NASA Rally Sport banner, which was the Gorman Ridge Rally in Frazier Park, California. Some of the racers from that first rally are well known today within rally circles: Mark Tabor, Rhys Millen, Paul Eklund, Mustafa Samli, George Plsek, Jeff Price, and Ole Holter.
NASA Rally Sport has been an innovator from the very beginning, inventing the naturally aspirated all-wheel-drive class that, a decade later, has become very popular choice for grassroots racers. Five years ago, it began the RallyMoto program, allowing motorcycles to compete, which has gone on to become the most verifiably successful program in American rally history at bringing new racers out to the stages. RallySolo, rally racing without the benefit of a codriver, is still in its infancy, but opens interesting doors with the possibility of new venues.

Technologically, NASA Rally Sport is the only rally sanctioning body where all of the races now have scores updated online during the event. A whole slew of online management tools for the organizers have been built over the years, to cover registration, financials, tasks, volunteer management, and scoring. The fans haven’t been forgotten either, NASA Rally Sport developed a smart phone app just for them, available for Android. The racers have access to advanced tools like instant virtual licenses and press release distribution systems.
‘I’d really like to thank all the volunteers who have helped us with the nearly one hundred rallies we’ve done.’ says Green. ‘There have been thousands of great people who have helped marshal an intersection, or filled out time cards, or kept the spectators informed and happy. Really, we have to recognized that this sport wouldn’t exist without volunteers. The folks who give freely of their time to make these rallies happen, hours and hours of work just because they love the sport, that spirit is fantastic. And in the long run, it’s the most viable and sustainable way.’
The 2013 schedule is still being firmed up, so keep an eye on NASARallySport.com as the events’ dates are finalized. The web site is also a great reference for those looking for rules on how to build a new rally car.PHOTO: ANDREW PASCARELLA

 
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STPR 2012

June 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Following a solid 2nd place finish in April’s Rally New York Tarmac event, Erika Detota brought her “I Love Boobies” sponsored Subaru Impreza to the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania to compete in this year’s Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally.  

STPR Super Special, 2012 Photo Credit: Liviu Hrituleac | www.LHimages.com

The event, part of the Rally America Championship series, runs on the fast and deceptively tricky roads in and around the town of Wellsboro, PA.  ”Initially, I hadn’t planned to compete at this year’s STPR, but in recent months, made the decision to focus more of my efforts toward Rally America.  Both their national and various regional championships are the premier series in the United States and the level of competition is hard to beat.  I wanted to push myself harder this season, while also giving my new sponsors greater visibility within the market.” said Detota.

Quickly re-prepping a rally car from tarmac set up to gravel was no small feat which left the team of Detota and co-driver, Allison Hirsch, to adjust to the conditions and car concerns. “We made it through all the stages without any major complications which was our first goal of the weekend,” said Hirsch, herself a new member of the team.

Taking it steady on day one and working on making adjustments to the car’s setup, the duo found their efforts paid off come day two while finishing 5th in class and 10th overall in Saturday’s Regional event.  “The stages were beautiful this year,” said Detota.  ”The best conditions I have seen since my first rally here in 2009, it was great to be out competing at such a fun event.”

The team looks forward to announcing the rest of the season’s plans shortly and want to thank their supporters and sponsors; Ruge’s Subaru in Rhinebeck, NY, Tony’s Mufflers, Hawk Brakes, Midwest Sheet Metal, Exedy Clutch, Rally Armor and Grand Prix NY as well as media partner, Flatout Promotions.

 

 

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MotoIQ.com posts Erika Detota’s driver profile

May 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

MotoIQ: How did you get your start into cars and racing?

Erika Detota: My racing story began in 2008 when I went to watch my first rally. I fell in love with the sport immediately- feeling interested in racing a seemingly street car on back roads was an attainable “ah ha” that changed my life. With a little research I realized I needed help to get started so I got in touch with Tim O’Neil, who gave me the chance to attend the Team O’Neil Rally School. Just a few months after my course training, I raced in my first performance rally.

For more information on Team O’Neil go to hhttp://team-oneil.com/

http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_articles/id/2318/pageid/4109/driver-profile-erika-detota.aspx for the full interview with Erika

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Erika Detota Helps Raise Money For Cancer

May 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Erika Detota helps raise money for cancer

Come see Erika Detota and her “I Love Boobies” Rally winning race car on Friday November 18 at Spins Bowl located at Grand Prix New York in Mount Kisco. The brand new bowling ally will host “Strikes Against Cancer Bowl-A-Thon” with fundraising to benefit Support Connection a local women’s cancer organization.

The event starts at 8:00pm with many festivities provided by GPNY. “It will be really fun to go bowling while raising money for such a great organization” says Detota about the fundraiser. Erika is sponsored by GPNY along side Keep-A-Breast.org, a non-profit focused on prevention and early detection of breast cancer.

Tickets for Spins Bowl “Strikes Against Cancer Bowl-A-Thon” are $25 in advance and $35 at the door emailinfo@gpny.com or call 914-358-3624 for more information or to participate.

Erika Detota is in her second season of racing in performance rally and has secured a national championship while impressing many with her speed, dedication to the sport and to raising awareness of breast cancer. She partners with Keep A Breast.org, Grand Prix New York, Rally Armor, Exedy Clutch, Big Boulder Park and Flat Out Promotions. For more information about Erika please visit: www.RallyErika.com or find her on Facebook.com/RallyErika and Twitter

Support Connection, Inc. is a 501 (C) (3) not-for-profit organization that provides free, confidential support services and programs to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Founded in 1996, Support Connection is based in Yorktown Heights, N.Y., but through their toll-free hotline and website they serve people throughout the country. With Support Connection, those living with breast and ovarian cancer don’t have to face it alone. To learn more, call 914-962-6402 (toll-free: 800-532-4290) or visitwww.supportconnection.org.

Grand Prix New York Racing (GPNY) is the only large indoor racing, social entertainment, and corporate event venues in The New York City-metro area. Centrally located in the village of Mount Kisco, New York, GPNY is a unique 118,000-square-foot facility offering a quarter-mile-long, state-of-the-art racetrack for all ages, Spins Bowl: a 19-lane bowling alley, special events services, Fuel: restaurant and bar, award-winning catering, an arcade, carnival room, a banquet facility, conference rooms, and more. GPNY is actively involved in community outreach and fundraising efforts. Since its inception in 2008, GPNY has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities by hosting high-profile fundraising events. For more information about GPNY, visit their website at www.gpny.com.

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International Rally New York Finale of the season

October 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

onalimbracing.com
Narrowsburg, NY

The final round of the 2011 United States Rally Championship was held last weekend in the foothills of New York’s Catskill Mountains. Teams from as far away as Colorado came to test their mettle on some of the roughest roads in the series. Defending USRC 2WD National Champion, Erika Detota and her co-driver, Brian Johnson, were among those battling to reach the finish.

Day one took its toll on the team. First a flat tire on the second stage slowing them down followed by a sheared drive axle on the seventh stage left them stranded and out of contention. “The new roads were awesome, but the traditionally run stages took a beating from the rainy fall weather. They were very rocky and ultimately cost us the day. We’re hoping to get the car repaired tonight in order to take advantage of the Super Rally rules and restart tomorrow morning” said Detota. USRC Super Rally rules allow teams who suffer repairable mechanical failures to fix them and re-enter on the next day of the race.

When day two began anew the team was quick from the outset, netting a pair of 2nd fastest stage times while moving their way back up the standings. By day’s end, Detota and Johnson were well ahead of their 2WD competition in the regional portion of the rally. However, their inability to finish the first day left the them unable to hold onto any chance of retaining the USRC 2WD title that Detota held for the 2010 season with co-driver Jason Smith. For 2011, Detota received 3rd place in the championship with 1st going to past winners Michael Reilly and Josh Benthien.

Co-driver Johnson said after the event, “Erika drove her best at this rally and I think that was evident to her fans. With a brand new livery and sponsors, Erika wanted to make sure to give maximum effort, which she did, even after the goal of winning the championship was no longer attainable.”

Continuing her partnership with the Keep A Breast Foundation, Erika’s new light blue car also welcomed some additional supporters. Grand Prix NY, a local go kart track joined for the event and Rally Armor made a pink decal mud flap with proceeds going to the Keep A Breast Foundation. “It is really fun to bring together my sponsors for breast cancer awareness month” said Detota, “I am looking forward to teaming up with more companies to further spread awareness next year!”

Erika would like to thank her partners and supporters, Keep-A-Breast.org, Grand Prix NY, Rally Armor, Broken Motorsports, Big Boulder Park, Exedy Racing Clutch and media partner Flat Out Promotions for their generosity, time and product support.

Filed Under: Press Release

Detota podiums in two regional events at STPR

June 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Cline is unable to make it, Detota races Exedy Rally Team
Wellsboro, PA, June 4th, 2011: Evan Cline from Cline Racing Sports (CRS) was forced to withdraw from the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally (STPR) last weekend under the recommendations from his doctor due to a viral infection. Team sponsor Exedy Racing Clutch offered on Wednesday morning before the race to support 2010 United States Rally Championship (USRC) 2WD champion Erika Detota.

The never before paired team of Detota and CRS co-driver Greg Dorman was an interesting mix to see together and they proved very good results at both regional rallies. Driving her 2WD Subaru Impreza, Erika finished Finger Lakes Rally 3rd in Group 2 class on Friday and 2nd on the Saturday stages battling rain and muddy conditions. Detota now leads Group 2 class and sits 4th in overall classification of the Rally America Eastern Regional Championship.

Later in the year Erika will focus on defending her 2WD United States Rally Championship title, which she impressively earned last year in her rookie season. The early success and support of Erika is a testament to the generosity of the rally community in the United States who sees few woman drivers compete in the sport.

Evan Cline, CRS driver:

“I am feeling better every day, it was cool to see Erika racing in my place and do so well. I hope to be completely better for Wicked Big Meet to talk to all the Subaru rally fans and support Exedy. The team will be back together and will close the season at New England Forest Rally.”

Erika Detota, 2010 USRC 2WD champion:

“I really appreciate the help from Exedy Racing Clutch. I feel honored to receive their support for this event and had a great time. From co-driver, to crew chief I got the works from Exedy and it definitely showed in the results.”

Grzegorz Dorman, CRS co-driver:

“I’m very glad that Exedy Racing Clutch picked Erika to receive their sponsorship for STPR. By supporting a beginner driver the brand showed investment in the future of rally. This was just Erika’s fourth event on the dirt and some of our stage times were pretty impressive.”

Exedy hopes to see Detota continue her growth and one day be a top contender in the Rally America series it sponsors.

Cline Racing Sports / Exedy Rally Team car will be on display at the Wicked Big Meet, the largest Subaru gathering on the East Coast, followed the final round of the championship at New England Forest Rally in Maine.
Cline Racing Sports is proudly supported by Exedy Racing Clutch, Disc Brakes Australia, Hawk, Recaro, Innovate Motorsports, Magnus Motorsports, Whiteline and Mobsteel.

Erika Detota has been involved closely with the Keep a Breast foundation raising the awareness of breast cancer and carrying the foundation slogan on her rally car: “I love boobies.” Her additional supporters include Big Boulder Park and Broken Motorsports.

Photos by James Michael Evan Henry – www.EnvuMedia.com

Flat Out Promotions (Rally Notes show producer) is Cline Racing Sports’s media partner – www.FlatOutPromo.com
For more information about the event go to www.STPR.org
For more information about the 2011 Rally America National Series go to www.rally-america.com
For more information about the team go to www.ClineRacingSports.com

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New York Auto Show

April 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

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Erika talks about Rally New York

April 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Erika Detota talks about Rally New York 2011

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Rally Notes Episode 4: Erika Detota

March 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Erika Detota Rally Notes TV full interview on you tube

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Rally New York USA

December 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Erika will be racing at Rally New York, USA March 25-26 with teacher and mentor Travis Hanson.  Travis is the Rally America overall points leader, making history as the first to lead the  championship in Super Production car. “This will be the first time I have ever raced with Travis, I’m really looking forward to it” says Detota. Last year’s event Erika and co-driver Jason Smith were 3rd in class.

Rally New York is an all tarmac race based in Catskill Region of Walton, NY.

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