Tigard, Oregon-- The Hairpin Racing Team, after setting aggressive goals for improved stage times, has declared its development and test program a success. The team had a target of a ten percent improvement in stage times and is confident that the goal has been met. The Ojibwe Forests ProRally will be the proving grounds of the team and their equipment in the 2001 SCCA ProRally Championship.

The Hairpin Racing Subaru Impreza received a new limited slip differential just as driver Lee Shadbolt headed off to New Hampshire to attend the Team O'Neil Rally School. After 3 days of intense training, Shadbolt returned home to compete in a local SCCA RallyCross where he captured second place in the competitive Open class.

One week later, after installation of a revised intake system and fresh transmission, Shadbolt was entered in a ORV Rally Sprints at the Thurston County Off Road Vehicle park. Despite extremely muddy conditions on Saturday, Shadbolt and substitute co-driver Bernie Russnogle finished in fifth place overall. On Sunday the course had dried out enough for it to become very bumpy. Good suspension was key to finishing and placing well. Shadbolt and Russnogle managed to improve their overall standing by finishing fourth.

Final tuning and preparation of the Impreza will precede the departure for Bemidji, Minnesota on August 13. A pre-rally open house will take place at Morrie's Subaru on August 15th at their dealership in Minnetonka. The Ojibwe Forests ProRally, which is scheduled for August 17-18, features soft roads and few elevation changes.

Watch for Hairpin Racing Team updates during the event on their website at www.geocities.com/hairpin35

For more information on Hairpin Racing, please contact Tamara Shadbolt at (503) 624-6366.