By ADAM LAPIERRE
News staff writer

An exciting event is set to hit the back roads of Hood River County this month, and with 50 top-notch rally racing teams tearing through the forested roads of the east-side hills, the May 15-17 Oregon Trail stage of the Rally America Championships promises to be yet another world-class competition to come to Hood River this year.

The Rally America National Championships is a countrywide racing series, running from Maine to Oregon, in which top drivers from around the country compete against themselves, the terrain and the clock in some of the fastest and sturdiest off-road race cars ever built.

The Oregon Trail stage of the series will start at Portland International Raceway May 15, and will continue May 16 and 17 on gravel roads through Hood River and Wasco counties.

The Hood River Fairgrounds in Odell will serve as the event service and staging area; the Hood River Inn will be the event headquarters, and races will be held on pre-determined, pre-closed roads in the Fir Mountain and Gilhouley areas both Saturday and Sunday.

Although the event is a high-speed, high-distance race, spectator access points along the course provide locals and race followers with excellent, and safe, views of the action. Two large spectator areas will be set up for the public: one up Fir Mountain Road accessed from Pine Grove and the other on the Mosier side of the course on Wilson Road. This is the first year the Oregon Trail stage of the series will be held in the Hood River area. In the past, the race took place in Columbia and Tillamook counties, but organizers decided to change locations this year.

“We’re excited to be changing our event to Hood River,” Mat Tabor, Oregon Trail rally co-chairman, said. “We are looking forward to this new adventure in Hood River County, and to bringing national competitors to these excellent roads.”

According to Tabor, the Oregon Trail Rally is known to be a tough test for racing teams because of the challenging nature of forest roads and the unpredictable weather conditions drivers are likely to experience in the region during a spring race. The combination of unique terrain, varying weather and striking scenery make Oregon a favorite stop among competitors.

“We plan to work with the communities of Hood River and Wasco counties on a multi-year plan to host this event,” said Robert Mahoney, press officer for the race. “The Oregon Trail event has a history of working with local organizations (food banks, schools, etc.) to set up fundraising activities at the rally events, and it and has a very positive economic effect in event locations through competitor, organizer and fan spending (food, hotels, services, gas, etc.).”

Mahoney also said organizers are looking to recruit volunteers to help with the race. For anyone interested in getting an insider’s experience on the race as a volunteer, for event information, spectator guides and maps and more, visit the race’s Web site at www.oregontrailrally.com.