After winning the ARA season title, Pastrana sits down with Action Sports Today to talk rally and Nitro Rallycross
It has been a big year for Travis Pastrana as has claimed the 2021 American Rally Association (ARA) National title, winning the Ojibwe Forests Rally for a record seventh time.
Pastrana beat Ken Block by just over 30 seconds on round six of the season, and in winning his fourth event of the year, has put the championship out the reach of his rivals.
It’s the sixth US rally title of Pastrana’s career – his first since 2017, a title he also clinched on Ojibwe – while it’s the first US national title for co-driver Rhianon Gelsomino.
Since his dominating start to the season, with three victories in a row, Pastrana has looked like a title favorite.
Now, with a championship in hand, Pastrana turns his attention to winning a title he has never won, even though he created the event, Nitro Rallycross (NRX).
Action Sports Today sat down with Pastrana ahead of the event to get his thoughts on the season so far and what he looks forward to next week as the gates drop on the NRX season.
AST: Talk to us about the ARA season and what it means to come away with the win.
TP: Last season was really tough. It was the first time we were the number one driver on a team without David Higgins to help guide the testing and Subaru development. Our first race we had a mechanical on the car burnt to the ground and then Covid cut the rest of season short. I really felt like we failed last year. This year we started out with a win and continue to find the speed to run up at the front and the patients to back down when we need to. Winning the first three rounds gave us a little bit of a cushion in points and I went a little too aggressive at round 5 ending up on my roof while leading with only a few miles to go. Other than that, it has been a perfect season
AST: How does the preparation for ARA impact NRX in a positive way?
TP: I’ve had more seat time this year than any other year of my life. I felt like we were competitive in 2019 in an RX and hope to continue to remain him that we found in rally and the conference that I’ve gained driving the gymkhana car at the hill climbs this year.
AST: As you choose to drive in different racing platforms, does your experience shape the way you develop NRX?
TP: Nitro RX is a series by the drivers for the drivers. I found a Nitro Circus when the athletes are entertained so is the crowd. Learning from Nitro Circus we understand what it takes to make a great show. And as a racer I want to be challenged not only by the other drivers but by the track. We have to walk us in line of excitement fun and safety But the drivers who dared to compete all agree that is the most exciting fundraising that they’ve done. And we have drivers from F-1, nascar, WRX, and pretty much every other form of racing who are either competing this year or working on a ride to compete with us in the future. As series is going to be very exciting.
AST: What is more challenging: designing NRX, racing ARA or Pro4 at Crandon?
TP: Everything is challenging, but I definitely have the most experience racing rally cars and designing tracks. The pro 4 at crandon was a bucket listAdventure, but stepping in against the top drivers without much experience prove very difficult. Still, I learned a lot and had a lot of fun
AST: What are you looking forward to the most with the upcoming NRX season?
TP: I am equally as excited to see this series succeed as I am to try and compete against the best drivers in the world. It’s going to be challenging as a track builder, a promoter, a fan, and racer… But it’s going to be one hell of a series if and when we pull this off the way I know it can be done
The Race Details
As the series expands into more markets across the globe, each will feature purpose-built permanent tracks in keeping with the spectacular size and scope of Nitro Rallycross’ original Utah home, but with a wide variety of locations reflecting each race’s unique environments. Every track will be different, with diverse settings and surfaces ranging from urban areas with paved streets to remote expanses with dirt and ice tracks. Each location will also showcase extraordinary backdrops encompassing deserts, forests, mountains, cityscapes and more.
