Tackling Headwaters Regional Rally was about more than targeting another victory for LSPR co-chairman Steve Gingras
Photography by DirtFish
Words by David Evans, DirtFish Head of Media
It’s the ultimate market research, with a shot at winning the Headwaters Regional Rally for a seventh time all rolled into one. That’s why Steve Gingras was behind the wheel of his NA4WD Subaru Impreza in Walker, Minnesota recently.
A rally driver of some repute, it’s Gingras’ work as co-chairman of the Lake Superior Performance Rally for which he’s more widely known these days. That’s what made May 17 something of a busman’s holiday in Minnesota.
“With the team at LSPR,” Gingras told DirtFish, “I’m trying to design a race that I’d like to do. It’s really important to be out there competing, to see different organizing teams firsthand.
“You always come away from rallies seeing things in a new way and you then think: ‘We could do this or we could change that and do that as well…’
“We’ve got some changes coming to LSPR this year and those ideas come from getting out and about on other rallies, taking ideas and pulling them together in a plan that works for your event.
“We’re really fortunate with LSPR that we’re able to have a full committee meeting to decide things like, for example, how we’re going to finish this year’s event. How can we reward the volunteers and get the city of Marquette more involved? We shamelessly steal the best ideas and replicate them in a way that’ll work for us.
“Competing opens your eyes as an organizer: you’re the customer.”
And Gingras has been a good customer for Headwaters down the years. Co-driven by his daughter Katie, the Subaru had been upgraded in an effort to land that seventh victory.
“I thought we had a fairly good shot at it,” said Steve. “We changed the differentials and differential controller and put new suspension on the car. Katie and I worked hard on the notes and I’ve been getting into better shape.
“The biggest unknown was my driving. I hadn’t driven a gravel rally since Headwaters last year and there was plenty of rust to knock off.
The first loop of stages went well, with the Gingras team sitting third and Steve looking to improve on the final loop.
Father and daughter are planning another shot at Ojibwe this summer
He added: “I was more aggressive and committed with the car – second time through we were a gear higher in most corners. I was really pleased about that.”
The rear differential failed on stage five, leaving the team to complete the route in front-wheel drive.
The time loss limited the Gingras family Subaru to 10th place, but there will be more market research done as the season unfolds – including an outing on Ojibwe in August.
“Competing gives you a different perspective,” he concluded. “That helps keep your race fresh.”
Out front across the 40-mile route through Minnesota’s Paul Bunyan State Forest, Dustin Peterke and Roberto Judge scored their first outright rally win in their NA4WD Subaru.
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