Autoblog

At the LA Auto Show yesterday, Subaru of America announced that Travis Pastrana has agreed to a 3-year contract to race for Subaru Rally Team USA. Travis was an X-Games star and the youngest ever champion in Rally America last year. They used the LA show to hand out that trophy and announce the contract.

Subaru also had 2005 "Rookie of the Year," Ken Block on hand, confirming he will be back to drive the #43 STI in '07. Pastrana was joined by co-driver Christian Edstrom, who will stick by his slide (hardy har har) in the #199 Subaru. Although not at the show, Alex Gelsomino will also continue with co-driver Block in the #43 car. Should be a good season for Subaru and for rallying as Subaru has apparently committed to it for another 3 years at least.

Press release is after the jump.

[Source: Subaru]

ESPN's X Games will add some rally car action to this year's extreme sports event in Los Angeles. ESPN VP Ron Semiao announced the addition to the X Games 12 lineup, saying, "Rally Car Racing is a sport we have been watching for some time now," and calling the sport "incredibly dynamic and exciting."

ESPN appears to be ramping up its four-wheeled motorsports coverage as it gets ready to air NASCAR races in 2007.

The X Games rally will be organized by Rally America, and include two days of competition over six road stages and a stadium-based Super Special stage.

X Games motorcycle legend Travis Pastrana recently made the switch to four wheels, signing with Subaru of America to lead the Subaru Rally Team USA in the 2006 Rally America National Championship series. Pastrana and co-driver Christian Edstrom placed second in February's Sno*Drift Rally (pictured at right), and we expect him to play a big part in the introduction of rallying to the X Games this summer.

[Sources: Rally America, Subaru] Thanks for the tip, Chris!