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A cold and snowy weekend did not stop the crowds from attending fifteen race stages throughout the weekend, including the final event on Saturday evening, bringing hundreds of spectators to Lakeshore Drive in Houghton to witness the conclusion of this year’s Lake Superior Performance Rally.
“It was a great weekend. LSPR is always fantastic. I will say the colors were exceptional this year. It was nice, and then it wasn’t nice. It was snowy and of course with rally it really doesn’t matter what the weather is. It’s like the mail, you deliver and in rally- you run it,” said Rally America President Bill Fogg.
Known as the “oldest meanest toughest rally on the circuit” according to Rally America’s web page, over 50 cars began the LSPR Friday afternoon, tearing through several dirt tracks throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
“There was at a spectator area on a Friday night, probably 200 people on a single corner. Kids ages 5,6,7,8, all the way up to grandparents. It was really neat to see,” said Fogg.
Saturday morning’s events began with a covering of snow, up to an inch or more in some places, but Fogg says the drivers were prepared. “It certainly softened up the roads, it made them slippery. There was some accumulation on the stages. I think they all adjusted. They’re pretty accustomed to racing in all kinds of weather and road conditions,” he said.
Winning the final two stages, and six overall, put driver and co-driver team Joseph Burke / Karen Jankowski in 1st place. The team beat 2nd place drivers Dave and Michael Brown by 19.9 seconds. The two teams fought for the number one spot throughout the stages on Saturday.
Before volunteers and cleanup crews reopened Lakeshore drive in under an hour making way for campaign showers and an awards ceremony later in the evening. “I have to say thanks to my Rally America team. They’re some of the best around and I really appreciate them,” Fogg said.
Fogg said, “Dean and Jo Ann, and all the folks and volunteers here do a fantastic job at LSPR. We’re looking forward to coming back for years to come.”
