Currently, the SCCA ProRally finds itself evolving, like a cater-pillar shrouding itself in a cocoon. Once the stomping ground of relatively humble (though very professionally focused) grassroots rally-racing efforts, the Palmdale event would mark the American debut of the full tilt Prodrive/Subaru effort. The results speak for themselves, as the factory-supported Subarus won their classes and signaled the first international win for the new '02 WRX. While privateer entrants argue with family and volunteers for the correct size wrench, Subaru race cars are fussed over by a crack platoon of pasty-skinned English mechanics, all named Liam or Andy. The Prodrive/Subaru operation is a well-oiled machine with a humbling parts surplus that the team relied upon to make the short work of a transmission swap on the Group N class winner. That's not to say that other participants weren't game to the Prodrive challenge. They were. It's just that given their level of preparation and resources, the Prodrive/Subaru team's capability of dealing with the adversity that rally competition throws at competitors may be superior to just about any rally competitor on this side of the Atlantic.

The general consensus is that this is a great step forward for the SCCA ProRally scene. It's hoped that the serious dedication of resources and money represented by the Prodrive effort will pressure other manufacturers to follows Subaru's lead and improve their presence on the race circuit. Others feel that the manufacturers' presence might alienate the participation of the grassroots racer, who may have towed or have even driven the race car to the event. Ultimately, it boils down to the inevitable progress a race series makes as it grows and draws more interest. The hope is that someday, if the ProRally grows swiftly enough, the almighty FIA will smile kindly upon the organizers and bestow North America with a place on the WRC schedule. I wonder what Sainz and Makkinen would think of the new mall in Palmdale.

Rally For Charity
On the second morning of the rally, on a special stage at the hotel, mother-in-laws were getting rides in rally race vehicles. No, these weren't the balls-out open class machines, but rather the street-legal (but still wickedly fast) Group N machines. A $20 charitable donation secured a seat, and there was no shortage of interest or copilots. Each donation got a 30-second turn of motoring ecstasy that included a few turns on freshly moistened earth and an indoctrination to the driving mayhem that is rally. How many race events have you been to where they let retirees ride shotgun and wet themselves for a worthy cause?

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