LANCASTER, CA -- The 26th running of the Subaru Rim of the World Rally, round #3 of the United States Rally Championship, will sport a new and exciting look on April 28 - 29 at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, but the basis of the rally - high performance motorsports excitement - is true to the roots of the event as it was founded in the 1970's.

Organizer Ray Hocker, from Ridgecrest, Calif., who put on the first version of Rim in 1976 with Mike and Paula Gibeault - also of Ridgecrest - pointed out that the loss of their forest permit to run the rally in the Angeles National Forest has only motivated the organizing committee to create more events at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds venue.

"While all of us will miss those forest stages which are now famous around the world - Del Sur, Magic Mountain, Messenger Flats, etc. - this new era gives us an opportunity to showcase the sport of rally to those who are more comfortable watching motorsports from a stadium venue. The Fairgrounds facility also allows us to have many other activities which will provide two full days of auto racing excitement," said Hocker.

In a unique head-to-head competition format equaled only on the World Rally circuit, the rally competitors will run the Super Special Stage, carved out in the dirt in front of the 7,000-seat Fairgrounds Stadium, seven times over two days before the finals on Sunday afternoon, when the Rim champions will be crowned. In addition to the classes of rally cars, there will be a section for RallyMoto competitors, riding dual-sport motorcycles, like those used on the famous Dakar Rally, on the Super Special Stage course.

Before, during and after each rally stage in the stadium, fans will be treated to a large selection of motorsports action events, many of which encourage participation by the public. For those who are proud of the car they drive, there is the Rim of the World Car Show, open to all makes and models, with cash and product prizes in all categories. Interested parties should contact Ferdie at [email protected], or call 714-475-6450 for entry information.

Other activities include a two-day autocross, where you can enter your own car, a huge Rally Expo vendor display, radio control car racing, and a family oriented Adventure Rally.

Besides the modified Rim format for 2007, Hocker also announced that Subaru of America, Southwest Region will be back as full sponsor of the Rim event, endorsing the significance of the event to the U.S. rally scene as well as a useful tool to continue to reach its customers.

"Subaru of America, Southwest Region has supported Rim of the World since 1991, and for the last three seasons as the event's title sponsor, and we are pleased to report that they are fully supporting our change of format for the 2007 rally. Without their involvement, we would not be able to provide the exciting activities planned for the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds for our April 28-29 event," said Hocker.

Because of the corporate sponsorship, Subaru owners will enjoy special activities by just showing proof of ownership at the event, including free reserved parking (log onto to http://www.rimoftheworldrally.com, or e-mail the organizer at [email protected] for details and parking reservations - space is limited), the Subaru Games Autocross Challenge, and a two-hour time-speed-distance rally - Subaru Games Family Adventure Rally - through the hills and back roads of the Lancaster-Palmdale area.

The 2007 Subaru Rim of the World Rally at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds opens its doors on Saturday, April 28, at 10:00 AM, with the first Super Special Stage commencing at noon. The Fairgrounds will be open from 10:00 AM until midnight on Saturday, with the final activity at 10:00 PM being a special barbeque dinner to honor the first 25 years of the Rim of the World Rally, including appearances from former Rim champions.

On Sunday, April 29, the grounds open at 9:00 AM, with the rally finals commencing in the stadium at 2:30 PM. The awards ceremony for the winners is scheduled for 5:45 PM.

Admission each day is only five dollars per person, plus a three dollar parking fee for each car. Information updates are available on http://www.rimoftheworldrally.com.

For further information contact Donna Hocker, co-chair at 760-375-3289.