Why 2 Subaru WRX STIs are better than one: Launch Control #3 [video]

David Higgins and Travis Pastrana came into the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood race with different goals. Pastrana was making his return to rally racing after trying his hand at NASCAR, and was learning a new car and a new co-driver. He once dominated the sport, but he was being cautious as he eased back into the sport. He was also nursing a badly injured ankle which made it even more of a challenge. The team was definitely “off the pace” in the beginning stages, but quickly returned to his winning form later on.

David Higgins and Craig Drew needed no time to adjust. They won this event last year, but Ken Block, the event favorite, suffered a DNF that cut the battle short. Both teams knew their competition wasn’t going to ease into the day gradually, so it meant driving flat out from the word "go."

Higgins and Drew saw their chances vaporize as they experienced mechanical troubles that knocked them out of the race. This was a rare experience for Higgins as he hasn’t had mechanical issues in the reliable Subaru WRX STI. Another top contender, Rockstar Energy Drink Rally Team’s Antoine L’Estage and Marshall Clarke, also finished DNF. L’Estage, driving the normally reliable 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X, overheated on Stage 13 and was unable to continue the race. Pastrana and Beavis raced hard through the rest of the stages and finished on the podium with a second place finish behind Ken Block.

Next up, defending Rally America champion David Higgins, returns to the 38th Waste Management Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally (STPR) at North Central Pennsylvania May 30-31, 2014 in Wellsboro, Penn. Higgins and Drew finished first and Pastrana and Beavis finished in second place at Oregon Trail earlier this month. Higgins extended his points standings lead and could strengthen his position even further with another overall victory at STPR.

But Higgins will need to beat Hoonigan Racing's Ken Block who returns to defend his 2013 STPR overall victory. It was at STPR last year when Block strung three consecutive overall victories to force a final showdown with Higgins. The title eventually went to Higgins after Block had a spectacular crash near the end of the Lake Superior Performance Rally. 

Watch Launch Control: Higgins and Pastrana Rally in the 100 Acre Wood video.