Driver Erika Detota with navigator and coach Jason Smith took their first class win this past weekend at International Rally New York (IRNY), the final Atlantic round of the United States Rally Championship (USRC). This victory puts the team ahead in points going into the championship round in Prescott Arizona next month, where they are hoping for the 2WD season win. “[IRNY] is my home event and I know the roads well from working the rally and co-driving the event last year” Detota said before the race began.

The rally was not without its challenges however, overcoming under-performing brakes, a broken axle, flat tire and a blown fuse. The team also had their first experience racing in extremely dusty conditions. Rally NY takes place on dirt roads in the Catskill mountain region of New York State which were tight, technical, rocky and unlike most years, dust filled. The dust was hanging in valleys even with 3-minute windows between competitors. “I hope this experience helps prepare us for the conditions in Arizona” says Smith “It is all about learning, so it’s awesome that while prioritizing finishing rallies, we have excelled in the championship”

This is Detota’s first season racing; her growth from rally to rally has been amazing to follow. She was awarded “Most Improved Driver” for the season by the organizers of the New York Rally Championship. The team is re-prepping the car and getting ready for their first ever west coast event. Prescott Rally is a high elevation desert mountain race a few hours from the Grand Canyon. With huge drop-offs, amazing elevation change, and desert sand surface it will be a challenging event for the 2WD team from the east coast.

The team wants to thank their sponsors and supporters for all their help including:
Broken Motorsports for helping to maintain and build our car as well as providing much needed crew support. Robert Cella for his generous investment in the team. Big Boulder Park, RallyArmor, Team O’Neil and Keep A Breast Foundation for their continued support.