By STEVE SCHULWITZ
News Staff Writer
The drivers in Northeast Michigan have battled icy and snowy roads since early November. This weekend some of the world's best drivers will navigate some of those same roads and conditions with a chance to pocket a large pile of dough.
The Rally America racers will visit Lewiston, Atlanta and Hillman and vie to earn the title of Sno-Drift Rally Champion.
"Racing on ice and snow is really not much different than racing on gravel," three-time defending champion Travis Pastrana said. "I really didn't get a chance to drive cars in the snow much because I spent every winter in Florida since the fourth grade racing motorcycles."
The YouTube sensation Pastrana drives the No. 199 Subaru and is a favorite to win the series again..
The racers speed down the narrow roads and slide around the treacherous turns with the help of a co-driver, who is in the passenger seat during the race.
"You take a good driver and put him with a poor partner and it could cost you about two seconds a mile," Pastrana said. "Over the course of 17 stages, you're not going to finish anywhere near the front."
Pastrana made a name for himself by winning nine X-Games gold medals, including three in 2006 on his bike and had appeared on MTV and shows such as Late Night with David Letterman. He was the first person to land a double back flip on his bike during competition, earning him one of his golds.
His parents ran a construction business and had him driving at a very early age.
"I got my first go-cart when I was two and drove it at three," Pastrana said. "I was driving a car around when I was six. Anything which had a motor I wanted to drive. I drove my first rally race when I was 16."
Montmorency County holds a special place in Pastana's heart, because it was there he participated in his first rally race.
"It really is amazing here," Pastana said. "The people are great and really seem to get excited about the event. At first I don't think they knew just how big a deal it is, but now the sport's popularity has taken off and they are really awesome."
Pastana was in the lead by nearly two minutes with 11 miles between him and victory when a deer jumped into the path of the race car.
"We were doing about 60 at the time and had a big lead," Pastana said. "It did a lot of damage to the car and we didn't finish the race. The deer went for quite a flight though."
Pastrana has a bull's-eye on his back, as some upstart drivers are trying to dethrone him and make their own mark.
"Kyle Sarosin has really turned it up," Pastrana said. "He finished second in the final three rounds last year and is amazing. He is only 19 years old and is going to be awesome."
Tanner Faust is another driver to watch, because of his experience of driving on slippery surfaces.
"Tanner is the national champ in drifting," Pastrana said. "He is also a stunt driver and has done driving in The Dukes of Hazard and other movies and shows."
Whoever wins, the crowd is in for a treat. The race begins at 1:30 p.m. today in Lewiston, and Saturday at the Atlanta High School.
Steve Schulwitz can be reached via e-mail at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689.