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The results of the 2011 Oregon Trail Rally will remain provisional pending a decision by a RallyCar Protest Committee about a protest filed by the Super Production team of Travis and Terry Hanson. The Hansons claim that Ramana Lagemann and co-driver Chrissie Beavis received an unfair advantage as a result of conditions created by possible organizer error.

The Hansons argue that Lagemann checked-in at the Stage 2 Arrival Time Control (ATC), but may have been permitted by an event official to repair his car outside of the control zone. The event official had no authority to allow Lagemann to repair his car and since control zones are considered Parcs Ferme, Lagemann’s action can be considered illegal servicing because he was already checked-in.

In addition, Stage 2 Control workers did not start the clock on Lagemann’s assigned start time. If the control workers had not made this timing error, most of the time Lagemann used to repair his car would have been included in his total Stage time.

Lagemann and Beavis went on to place third overall and first in class, finishing a mere 3.6 seconds ahead of the Hansons.

The Protest Committee will review Hanson’s protest and determine whether or not Force Majeure will override his claim against Lagemann. The outcome of the protest will have a direct bearing on Hanson’s overall Championship standings as well as Lagemann’s final Oregon Trail result.

If ruled in Hanson’s favor, Lagemann could receive a minimum penalty of 10 minutes for illegal servicing, dropping him to fourth in class and tenth overall. Hanson would then move up to third from fourth overall and secure the Super Production class win. This would put Hanson second in the overall National standings with 58 points – four points behind David Higgins (62 pts) and one point ahead of Antoine L’Estage (57 pts).

RallyCar will release a statement once the Protest Committee makes a decision on the Hansons’ claim. Any organizer, official, entrant, or competitor will have the chance to appeal any decision or penalty rendered by the Protest Committee. If no appeals are made, RallyCar Stewards will then declare the Oregon Trail results final and update Championship standings accordingly.

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Photo: WorldRallySport.com | Aaron Kathman