By Ian Price

Travis Hanson emerged from the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally as the early champion of the 2011 Rally America Super Production Title. Throughout 2011 Hanson and his team have shown great maturity using strategy and consistent driving, the Pennsylvanian event was no exception taking their 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI to claim fourth overall, and second place in the Super Production class.

It wasn’t all smooth for Hanson. He battled personal allergies and drastically changing road conditions throughout the weekend, affecting his focus. By reducing speed and working as a team Travis and Terry got to the end of the rally as proud champions. Pending the appeal lodged against the OTR protest ruling, Hanson will have secured the Super Production class title by taking four consecutive class victories from the start of the season, a feat which no other driver has achieved to-date in the Rally America sanctioned series.

Photo: Mike Proulx

An elated Hanson said, “I am so excited about the Championship. We have been fighting for this for years. To be able to accomplish this goal with my dad is awesome.”

Championship and race wins most often focus on the driver, but in reality to get a rally car through an entire season, on some of the toughest terrains, it takes a solid team effort. Hanson wants to thank and praise his devoted team who worked so hard for the success earned.

“Our crew has been amazing all year. The pre-event preparations were immaculate helping on the really rough stages” said Travis, adding “The entire year has been great, and we could not have done it without each person involved. Thank you to our sponsors Team O’Neil Rally School, Olson’s Auto Body, OSLV, Exedy, Broken Motorsports and Dick Hannah Subaru for their support, without their backing we would not have had the opportunity to achieved what we have.”

Photo: Mike Proulx

Hanson sits third in the overall Rally America National Championship standings, with the New England Forest Rally next in the schedule, which he plans to contest. The Newry, Maine based rally is the final round ofthe 2011 Rally America National Championship season, and Hanson has a new goal, shooting for overall honors saying “we will go to NEFR ready to defend our top 3 position.”