Ryan Millen and his 2016 Toyota RAV4 SE earned a second place win at the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. It’s a victory that strategically places them in a tie for the 2016 Rally America National Championship title.
For the last four decades, STPR has been pushing race-car drivers to their limits with its unforgivable terrain, and this year was no exception. With its slippery clay and sharp, windy curves, the course was a true testament to not only the perseverance of the drivers but also the vehicles that they drove. Known as one of the oldest and most dangerous rally races in America, STPR is not for the faint of heart. “It was really tricky. There was thick dust, and the surface didn’t allow us to get any heat into the tires. It was hard to get them to bite,” said Millen. “Typically we do well in handling, as the RAV4 makes a lot of grip, but this clay base really made it tough.”
Millen and his team landed in third place by the close of the first stage, but then turned things around and closed the final day with a second place win, closing a two-minute lag behind the first place winner to just 30 seconds. Millen’s overall time was 2 hours and 20.9 seconds. This is an 8-minute lead ahead of the other competitor who took third place.
Before STPR, Millen earned two first place victories at the annual Olympus Rally in Washington and the annual Oregon trail competition. Millen, his soon-to-be fiancé, Christina Fate, who has been his co-pilot in the races, will now prepare for their next battle to the finish line at the New England Forest Rally in Newry, Maine. It’s set to get underway on Friday, July 15.
