David Sterckx is delighted with his result on the 2012 Sno*Drift Rally in Atlanta, Michigan.

The ex-Belgian Group N champion overcame unfavorable conditions on unfamiliar roads to finish third on the Super Production (SP) podium and eighth overall. Sterckx had no prior competitive experience on snow and ice and was adjusting to a newly built Subaru, which he had driven for the very first time only two days before the start of the event.

Sterckx and co-driver Karen Jankowski proved their potential as contenders in the SP category after climbing up to second in class from fourth by the end of Day One. With SP leader Travis Hanson too far ahead to catch, Sterckx focused on maintaining his pace on Day Two and finished the rally 45.8 seconds behind Lauchlin O'Sullivan and co-driver Scott Putnam.

“I am so happy with our results this weekend," said Sterckx. "Having never rallied on the ice or snow I wasn’t totally sure what to expect. Turns out you can’t expect anything because the heavy ice and snow this weekend made the conditions very difficult to plan for. I know we will be even quicker next year though because we learned a lot of valuable information that will really help.”

Sno*Drift was the first National rally that Sterckx and Jankowski have run together as a team. Their next outing will be the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood in Salem, Missouri this February 24-25.