Driving a five-door 2012 Subaru WRX STI rally car, Higgins led from the start and clinched15 of the event’s 24 stages.
He finished nearly two minutes ahead of his closest rival.
The biggest challenge was keeping his STI on the track’s treacherously icy roads, according to Higgins, who says the variable and slick road conditions amounted to “the toughest rallying” he has ever encountered.
The Sno*Drift, round one of the six- event Rally America National Championship, challenged nearly 70 top teams with more than 130 miles of snow and ice-covered roads.
Constant changes in weather and road conditions, coupled with several stages run in total darkness, made the event “notoriously challenging” as spiked or studded tires were not allowed -- making traction extremely elusive; a recent thaw and subsequent freeze turned many of the stage roads into sheets of smooth ice.
“The icy roads combined with lack of spiked tires makes this one of the toughest rallies and a challenge I think that is unique in rallying anywhere in the world,” says Higgins.“Mentally it’s very draining, as you are constantly on the edge all weekend with the knowledge that any small mistake could just end the rally,” he explains. “The grip levels would go from variable to non-existent in a flash.”
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