Let’s check in with Green APU Rally USA Racing driver Patrick Gruszka about his latest run at Rally in the 100 Acre Wood.
Tell Us About the Race
“This race is really known for its water crossings, but this year, everything dried up. That made the experience a lot different. This was the 2nd year at this event with the Hyundai i20 car.”
How Did It Go for the Green APU Rally USA Team?
“We placed 4th, right behind Travis Pastrana, and got 1st place in RC2.”
What Was Different About This Race Compared to Others?
“As I mentioned, this event is famous for its water crossings, but not this year. Even the large crossing dried up. Hopefully, the water will be back next year!”
What Challenges Came Up?
“The car has boost issues, which hindered our performance. We also hit some large rocks, which is never good.”
Are You Pleased with the Outcome?
“We were in our own zone, with Travis Pastrana 5 minutes ahead of us, and the guy behind us at 2 minutes. We had a solid finish, so I’m happy with the results.”
Anything You Want to Improve or Change?
“This was our first event in the Hyundai i20 this year, so there’s plenty of room for improvement, which will come with more driving time.”
What Lessons Did You Take Away from This Race?
“We learned the hard way that large rocks break things and cause flat tires! This was my first race where I had to drive on a flat to finish the stage. The right front blew out and I was riding on the wheel. It wasn’t fun, but it gave me some practice with driving at speed with a flat, and tire changes!”
