“Today has been good fun,” commented Solberg. “Of course our road position was a good advantage, but still we have been fast. It will be more difficult tomorrow being first car on the road, but I will keep on enjoying the driving and the fight.”

A quarter of a minute behind is Ogier, the Citroen Junior driver is credited with four out of nine possible stage wins today. It was an impressive run for the Frenchman in his second year of full WRC competition. Tomorrow will be a greater challenge, as the Jr. Driver will only have Solberg ahead to clean off loose gravel.

“We took advantage of our start position and the competitiveness of our Citroen C4 WRC,” said Ogier. “Everything went perfectly. Tomorrow we will start second on the road. So the conditions are bound to be more difficult, but that’s all part of the learning curve.”

The man with the best seat is Loeb, 27.5 seconds down but third on the road for tomorrow. If the two Citroens ahead of him sweep the line then he’ll be able to go on maximum attack. The reigning champ will try for the lead while keeping an eye on the Ford drivers eager to get into the battle. For now, this is straight up racing, no tactics, may the best man win.

“Like our rivals we decided not to lift off to have a better starting position on the road for tomorrow,” explained Loeb. “I like fair play and I think we’re going to see a great battle between five or six drivers tomorrow. With 160 timed kilometres compared to only sixty on Sunday, the day will be crucial in deciding the outcome of the battle for victory. My third place isn’t ideal but it’s not too bad either. I’ll have to push from the first to the last metre!”

Citroen teammate Dani Sordo rounds out the top four Citroens before getting into the six Ford entries that complete the top ten. Jari-Matti Latvala is the best of the Focus drivers, currently scored fifth. The Finn started third on the road and lost a lot of time compared to Loeb, mainly because his confidence wasn’t very high. Tomorrow he’ll be a bigger threat, especially if the car is more to his liking.

“I was too careful and cautious on the opening stage,” admitted Latvala. “I didn’t drive well and couldn’t find a rhythm. My driving improved after that but I slid a lot on the loose gravel.”

The surprise of the day was Mikko Hirvonen, who closed the day sixth. While being first on the road is known to be a major disadvantage in Mexico, it just seemed his pace was off. A full minute and 30 seconds down will be a large chunk of time to makeup, even if leg two is the longest day of the event. Unless Hirvonen lives up to his Flying Finn reputation, repeating his season opener win will be all but impossible.

“It was so slippery on the loose gravel this morning that I could do nothing more,” said Hirvonen. “There was a fine layer of stones that I cleared for everyone else. There was so much gravel that even one car lower in the start order made a big difference and it was worse than I thought. The grip was more consistent this afternoon, but the clean route had been messed up by the later starters so I had to start all over again in developing a new line.

“The roles will be reversed tomorrow and I will have a good start position so I will try to make up the lost ground and catch those ahead of me,” added the Finn.

For American rally fans looking for a local hero, Ken Block is tenth on his first WRC debut. In fact, he is the first ever American to compete in a WRC event. With limited seat team in the M-Sport prepared Ford Focus RS, Block is doing a fantastic job running with the big dogs of rally. Another rookie, Kimi Raikkonen didn’t fair as well. The Formula One Champion damaged his steering on the first stage and struggled all the way to stage 7, where he rolled the car. The C4 was damaged beyond repair, making for an early exit to Raikkonen’s second event with the Citroen Jr. Team.

“The car just slid into the side of the road as we were going into a corner,” explained Raikkonen. “We rolled, but myself and Kaj are both fine.”

Leg two promises to bring more action as the top six will more than likely be entirely shaken up. Who will come out on top remains to be seen, especially if the leader can’t break free before the end of the day. While Sunday is much shorter, no one wants to be chased down by the pack while slipping on marbles.

2. Snell SA-rated helmet required in ALL classes.

3. A minimum of 2.5 OB, dry chemical ABC fire extinguisher with gauge in cab required.

4. On/Off battery disconnect switch is required at the rear on passenger side 1 ft. from the side and 1 foot from rear of truck bed.

5. Battery and radiator must be securely fastened and shielded from driver. Must not be in driver’s compartment.

6. Firewalls and floors are mandatory. Stock vehicles must have roll-bars. Super Stock must have 4 point roll cages and be attached to frame. Modified and Super Modified mandatory 6-point roll cage and attached to frame. Tubing must be a minimum of 1-1/2″ diameter with at least .063 wall thickness.

7. All vehicles must have tow hooks front and rear. All vehicles must have front and rear bumpers not exceeding width of wheel opening. Bumpers must not have sharp edges. MUST be safe.

8. All automatic transmissions must have a SEMA approved shield or blanket. All standard transmissions must have SEMA approved blow proof bell housing except stock class and super stock. Rule applies for modified and super modified.

9. Fuel tank cells allowed in all classes. All fuel lines must be isolated from driver’s compartment. All tanks must have positive locking or screw caps. Fuel cells must be fully secured.

10. Throttle pedal must be positive acting with return loop or arm for return in case of stuck throttle. Three return springs are mandatory, one on pedal and two on carburetor.

11. Hydraulic brakes required. Drive line brakes okay. Must be able to stop safely.

12.All but stock class. Two drive shaft loops per drive shaft, loops must be 6″minimum, 12″ maximum from u-joint.

13. No one under 16 years of age in race vehicle.

14. Race trucks will be operated in a safe manner at all times. Track owner or official has the right to disqualify truck at any time.

15. Drivers and pit crew will be disqualified for alcohol, drugs, or tampering of race vehicles. THIS RULE WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.

16. Any infractions or fighting, un-sportsman like conduct will not be tolerated from driver, rider or pit crew. Money, points and trophy will be forfeited an could lead to one year suspension from all tracks.

17. All trucks must have visible numbers

18 If found cheating, you will loose points, be fined $250. and you will have to advance to next class for the year. Your points will start over. This rule also applies to refusal of tear down.

19. At any given time the track owner or official can have a visible check.

20. Each race truck can only step up one class. (Example: stock truck can only step up to super stock class - cannot step to modified.)

21. All race entries MUST be registered by end of Driver’s Meeting. NO late 2nd class entries.

PROTEST RULES

1. Protest must be made during that class race before class is over.

2. Protest must be made to track owner or tech official.

3. Protest must be made by driver in that class.

4. Protest Fees are as follows:

a. A visual or vacuum check will be $60.00

b. Carburetor and camshaft protest will be $100.00 (Must pull intake and carburetor)

c. P&G check will be $150.00

d. Engine tear down protest fee will be $400.00. Tear down will be done by driver and limited to removal of heads

1. Original body and frame with no modifications other than fender cut-outs, no excessive cutting or gutting allowed. Excessive body and interior modifications moves to Super Class. Heaters and gas tanks may be removed. OEM suspension.

2. Vehicles must have all factory sheet metal, except tailgates.

3. Transmission must be same as offered by manufacturer, shifters are allowed. No stall converters.

4. No transbrake. No manual valve body, stock transmissions only.

5. All tires must have DOT#. No cutting.

6. Radiator, fans, alternators and water pumps in stock location and driven by engine. May have auxillary battery and fuel tank. No electric water pumps. No closed chamber heads.

7. Small block only. Engine type bust be offered by manufacturer. No big blocks. 370 cu. in. limit. OEM motor parts. Piston may be flat or dish pistons. No dome pistons. All engines must have stock stroke. Engine has to e in stock location with stock type mounts. .060 over bore allowed. NO STROKER OR DESTROKER!!!!
a. Must pull 17″ of vacuum at 1,000 rpms. No vacuum devices.
b. OEM stock cast heads, no vortex or GT 40 heads. Must have cast iron intake, No porting, polishing, or matching. Valve size must be stock for that tyoe truck. (All Stock Type Components) No fuel injection.
c. Any carburetor with a 750cfm limit. No double pumps allowed.
d. No roller or roller tip rockers.
e. Camshaft and lifters must be hydraulic. No hydraulic rollers.
f. Stock ignition. No after market devices such as retards or advances.

8. Headers are allowed. Exhaust must be routed thru 18″ mufflers.

9. No nitrous or ether allowed. Automatic disqualification. Gasoline or Racing fuel only.

10. Functional front and rear bumpers not to exceed factory bumpers. Roll bar and seat belts mandatory.

11. All safety rules apply - see GENERAL RULES

SUPER STOCK

1. Original body and frame with no modifications other than fender cut-outs, no excessive cutting or gutting allowed. Excessive body modifications moves to Super Class. Heaters, gas tanks, etc. may be removed.

2. Vehicles must have all factory sheet metal, except tailgates.

3. Transmission must be same as offered by manufacturer, shifters are allowed. Stalls are allowed.

4. No transbrake or electric transmission controls.

5. All tires must have DOT#. No cutting.

6. Radiator, battery, an fuel tank may be relocated as long as outside of cab. Electric fans and electric water pump are Okay. Small block motors can be stroked or destroked. No big blocks can be stroked at all.

7. Engine type must be offered by manufacturer in that style vehicle, half ton or larger vehicles. Small block will be limited to 412 CID, big block will be limited to 477 CID. Either engine has to be in stock location with stock type mounts.
a. Camshaft and lifters must be hydraulic. NO HYDRAULIC ROLLERS OR LIFTS
b. All engines must pull 14″ of vacuum at 1000 rpms. No vacuum devices.
c. Any stock production OEM cast iron heads, any modifications allowed. No after market heads. (Example:No DArt, Brodex, World Product or Hemmy and so forth allowed.) Roller rocker arms okay. No special ordered heads or angle plug heads.
d. Any after market intake allowed. OEM blocks only. No 502,SVO, or Bowtie, etc.
e. Any small base carburetor. May be double pumper. Any single carburetor allowed. No Denominator Style Carburetors.
f. Any ignition allowed. No magnetos. No after market devices such as retards or advances.
g. No ladder bars or traction devices. OEM suspension.
h. Drive line brake is okay. Must have at least two wheel brakes.

8. Any exhaust system with headers, up or down allowed.

9. No nitrous or ether allowed. Automatic disqualification.

10. Must have 4 point roll bar and 4 point seat belt for driver and passenger.

11. All safety rules apply - see GENERAL RULES

MODIFIED

1. Original body and frame with no modifications other than fender cut-outs, no excessive cutting or gutting allowed. Excessive body modifications moves to Super Class. Heaters, gas tanks, etc. may be removed.

2. Vehicles must have all factory sheet metal, except tailgates.

3. Any transmission allowed. Transbrake allowed.

4. Limit of 515 CID. Engine type must be offered by manufacturer for that type vehicle (half ton or larger) and must be in stock location with stock type mounts. (For example: Ford engine in Ford chassis and Chevy engine in Chevy chassis, and so forth.) Any cast iron after market block is okay.

5. Any cast iron heads. (No 18 degree heads, 14 degree heads, high port heads, spread port heads, aluminum or hemi heads allowed and so forth,) Must be 23 degree head.

6. Any single four barrel carburetor and intake allowed. No sheet metal intakes.

7. Alternators and water pumps optional. Tadiators may be relocated.

8. Any camshaft and valve train allowed.

9. Must retain original floor pan.

10. DOT tires. No cutting.

11. No nitrous or ether allowed. Automatic disqualification. Alcohol Okay. No nitrous plates or solenoids on truck.

12. No four link. OEM Style Suspension, Ladder bars and traction devices are allowed.

13. All safety rules apply - see GENERAL RULES

SUPER

1. Must be automotive type engine and one per vehicle.

2. Single carburetor - NOS allowed.

3. Must be a production type body (automobile appearance). Modifications allowed. Wheel base may be altered. Must have fenders or sheet metal protection on all four wheels. Engine set back allowed, no rear engines.

4. Vehicle must be safety approved by Tech Officials.

5. Any type tires except paddle or scupper tires.

6. No tube frame.

7. All safety rules apply - see GENERAL RULES

We are trying to raise $50,000.00 which $10,000.00 will be split between the 4 classes to the point’s leaders. The other $40,000.00 will be the purse for the “Blowout Race” on September 5, 2004. In order to be eligible to run for the “Big Money”, you must attend at east 10 races before the “Blowout Race”. If your truck is broke and you can not run, you can pay stock entry money at the track to keep yourself in the race to be eligible to run. There is a $30.00 one-time entry to join the S.M.R.A. You must be a member to run for the “Big Money”.

The point’s race will be televised on the Outdoor Network channel by SUPERLIFT. The point’s leaders will be tabulated and put in the Monroe NewStar every Tuesday after each race. Your points will also be kept up with on the Internet. All of the races leading up to the point’s race will pay $5000 money and trophies.

POINT BREAKDOWN: You will get,

PT.

1 Show-up

2 5th Place

3 4th Place

4 3rd Place

5 2nd Place

6 1st Place

If someone wins or places in the race that is not a member of the S.M.R.A. he gets no points and you get only the points that you win. You also do not have to own a truck or a 4-wheeler to be a member of the S.M.R.A. You will be on the mailing list, be informed and invited to the points banquet, and any parties or meetings during the race season.

Join today, help keep mud racing alive and growing. Thank you for your consideration.

Any comments or suggestions that you may have write or call either myself, Jimmy Kinman or Bobby Rutledge. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Don Head - 318-397-1349

Jimmy Kinman - 318-387-5611

Bobby Rutledge - 318-366-7320