Andrew Pinker Returns to Form With Podium Finish

Andrew Pinker took second place at the New England Forest Rally--the fifth round of the 2008 Rally America Series. Despite continuing mechanical gremlins that have seemed to follow Pinker all season, he took second spot on the podium behind 2004 Production World Rally Champion Niall McShea. Pinker and McShea swapped the lead over the stages, but a broken gear shift lever on Stage 4 put him behind for most of the rally. Pinker looked set to wrestle the lead off of McShea on the final stage but then he blew his rear differential and had to limp home for a second place finish-his best this year.

Unfortunately the second place wasn't enough for Pinker to win the last chance qualifying spot for the Summer X Games 14 rally race, as McShea isn't a regular Rally America competitor and had entered the New England event to gain entry to the X Games.

Tanner Foust did not compete at the New England event as it conflicted with a Formula Drift race in Las Vegas. While Tanner, unusually finished out of the Top 8, he still leads the 2008 Formula Drift championship.

The Rockstar Rally still team goes into the X Games 14 Rally Race with two cars. As 2007 X Games Rally Race champion, Tanner Foust automatically qualifies, and Andrew Pinker's car will be driven by Canadian Rally champion Antoine L'Estage with co-driver Nathalie Richard.

All focus in the next week is on preparation for US rally's most exciting and visible event-the X Games 14 Rally Race at the Home Depot Center, Carson, CA. The race will be broadcast live on ABC Sport on Sunday, August 3rd.