Ellenville, NY — Ken Block/Alex Gelsomino (Subaru Impreza WRX) have once again proved that they are the masters of the roads in New York's Catskill Mountains. The two Californians won Rally New York USA for the second year in a row. The Subaru Rally Team USA duo took the lead on the first of 23 special stages and were never overtaken. Their lead when they reached the finish line in Walton, New York was over a minute.

The weather in the Catskills was hardly Spring-like, whatever the calendar may have said. Friday's leg featured cool weather and light to moderate rain. Saturday's leg had near-freezing temperatures, with alternating light rain and snow flurries. It was not ideal for vacations (in what is a resort area), but the rally competitors and service crews took it in stride. In the late stages of the rally, with many of the class victories settled, some drivers were admitting that they were only driving at about 90%, to avoid going off the road.

Otis Dimiters/Dominik Jozwiak (Subaru Impreza) were second most of the way and finished in the runner-up position. Dimiters admitted to two spins in the slippery conditions, but otherwise the event went smoothly for them.

Former winners Seamus Burke/Eddie Fries (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) placed third. The team lost time on Friday due to contact with a guard rail at speed, but recovered and put in a clean drive over the remaining miles.

There was a strong race in the two-wheel-drive category, which was ultimately settled in favor of Dan Brosnan/Shane McCann (Nissan Sentra). Thomas Greer/Bob Della Rocco (Volkswagen Golf GTI) were the runners-up, ahead of 2WD Production trophy winners Michael Reilly/Josh Bentien Ford Focus SVT.

Note: Rally New York USA is the opening round of the U.S. Rally Championship. Each day's event is also scored as a round of the regional New York Rally Championship. More information can be found on the event web site, www.rallynewyork.com.

Results:

1 Ken Block/Alex Gelsomino, Subaru Impreza WRX, 1st AWD

2 Otis Dimiters/Dominik Jozwiak, Subaru Impreza, 2nd AWD

3 Seamus Burke/Eddie Fries, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, 3rd AWD

4 Daniel O'Brien/Brendan McCabe, Subaru Impreza, 4th AWD

5 Patrick Brennan/Eamon Sweeney, Subaru Impreza WRX Sti, 5th AWD

6 Eoin McGeough/Cathal McAree, Subaru Impreza WRX, 6th AWD

7 Maciej Przybysz/Kristin Przybysz, Subaru Impreza, 7th AWD

8 Mike O'Leary/John O'Leary, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, 8th AWD

9 William Petrow/Vincent Neuven, Subaru Impreza, 9th AWD, 1st AWD

10 Dan Brosnan/Shane McCann, Nissan Sentra, 1st 2WD

11 Thomas Greer/R. Della Rocco, Volkswagen Golf GTI, 2nd 2WD

12 Michael Reilly/Josh Bentien, Ford Focus SVT, 3rd 2WD, 1st Production 2WD

13 Thomas Barton/Brian Barton, Mazda 323, 4th 2WD

14 Bill Miller III/Constantine Mantopoulos, Audi A4 Quattro, 10th AWD, 2nd AWD Production

15 Andrew Wickline/Steve Kurey, Audi 90 Quattro, 11th AWD

16 Woitek �Al� Kulpa/Adam Pelc, Volkswagen Golf GTI, 5th 2WD

17 Thomas Lawless/Brian Sharkey, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, 12th AWD

18 Andrew Havas/Aaron Crescenti, Mazda RX-7, 6th 2WD

19 Matt Gottlieb/Austin Gager, Subaru Impreza, 13th AWD, 3rd AWD Production

20 Michael Cosgrove/John O'Reilly, Mitsubishi Eclipse, 14th AWD, 4th AWD Production

21 Mark Galperin/Alex Khmel, VW Golf GTI, 7th 2WD, 2nd 2WD Production

22 Robert Martai/Zsanett Fabian, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, 15th AWD, 5th AWD Production

23 Martin Donnelly/Stephen Duffy Mitsubishi Lancer, 16th AWD

24 Donal G. McGivney/John Kearney, Subaru Impreza WRX, 17th AWD, 6th AWD Production

Did Not Finish Charlie Donnelly/Barry Smyth, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, AWD

DNF Joseph Burke/Ole Holter, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, AWD

DNF Cyril Kearney/Mark McAlister, Subaru Impreza STi, AWD

DNF Joshua Wimpey/Jeremy Wimpey, Volkswagen Golf GTI, 2WD

DNF James McKiernan/Martin Shekleton, Subaru Impreza STI, AWD

DNF Gustavo A. Garrido/Jeremy Neyhart, Nissan Sentra, 2WD

DNF Michael Gillespie/Brian Kirby Ford Escort Mk. 2, 2WD

DNF Steven Levesque/Steve McKelvie BMW M3, 2WD