Jake: How did you get started in rallying?
Ramana: I think I saw "The Secrets of Speed" on ESPN when I was like eight or nine years old. I saw Walter Rohrl in a Quattro and I knew I liked what I saw but I didn't know what it was at the time. Then when I was like fourteen or fifteen I saw it again and realized it was rallying. I came down to STPR about five years ago, it was my first rally. I ended up working the event and that was it for me and rallying.

Jake: So when was your first rally as a competitor?
Ramana: First rally I actually competed in was Maine two years ago in a VW Golf. The rally after that was Maine last year, where we debuted a Mitsubishi Galant. Last season we did six rallies and had five DNFs, all mechanical. It was pretty frustrating, but I had gotten hints that Lance Smith was working on some big deal for this year. Lance said I had to be with him this year, so I said, "All right, let's see what we can do." So here we are. The first event this year was at Cherokee, but it didn't go so well; we had a blown engine the second day. But since Oregon the car has run like clockwork.

Jake: You look to be coming on pretty strong this year.
Ramana: Well, we're trying. Finally being able to finish is the best part.

Jake: How do you feel you are doing today so far?
Ramana: The roads are sort of scary actually. We saw like 6500 in fifth a couple of times, our speedometer is not working. So, I think that's like 110-120 mph. I think we're going at a good pace. However we don't have an odo, so that is sort of dodgy. Russ (Hughes, the co-driver) is doing the best he can and we are just trying to keep it on the road. Now, I think we are tenth overall and second in Group N at 20 seconds back from the leader.

Jake: Great! Good Job!
Ramana: Thanks.

Jake: What are your views on the future of rallying?
Ramana: There are all these rumors about manufacturers coming in. I heard that Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Ford are actively looking into upping their programs that they have in the U.S.. I think that it is the beginning of a "new world" in (U.S.) rallying. Some people don't seem to like that, they think that it is going to be taking out the privateers. I think that more manufacturer involvement is just going to do a lot for rallying. It may take some time but you see where NASCAR was 50 years ago and what it is now. There is going to be some growing pains, but I think it will be great for rallying in general.

Jake: What do you think are our chances of getting an FIA WRC event the U.S. again?
Ramana: The Prodrive guys seem to think we have all the elements down in Tennessee, though we may have to change a few things around with the organization. The roads are fantastic! I have been to a couple of WRC events before, but I think we have the best roads in the world and a lot of people think that as well. That is why they all want to come over here. So hopefully, maybe not 2002 but definitely 2003, it should look good

Jake: What is your opinion on recce notes? I know a lot of teams have mixed opinions.
Ramana: At a rally like this, they would be very beneficial. People would be going faster with them, but it would be a lot safer using notes. Especially if you are in the situation we are in with no odometer. With the notes you don't even need an odometer. Basically you follow them because they are so detailed. You know exactly what is coming with no surprises. We have been surprised a couple times today and it is not fun. You have to go slow and you can't go as hard as you want.

The flip side is increased costs, time commitments. I think how they do it in some Norwegian countries with supplied route notes might be the best overall option. Having one person doing every event. Take the last two events, at Oregon and Rim. We didn't have an odo at either of those. But it wasn't a big deal because every note had an arrow (on the course), so even if we didn't know where we were (mileage-wise), we knew that if there was an arrow, we were at the next note. Out here it is sporadic where the arrows are and it is hard to tell. Consistency is the main benefit from supplied notes.

Maybe not full recce with practice for every team, but I think definitely if we want to raise the level we need more detailed notes. Because that is what the rest of the world is doing and if we in the U.S. are to compete with the rest of the world, we really need to learn the format and get accustomed to it.

Jake: So how about some personal info for our readers at Special Stage?
Ramana: I am from just outside Boston, Massachusetts and I am a full-time student at Boston College. I'm an English major, I have one year left, and I'm 21 years old. I enjoy listening to music, riding motorcycles and playing the drums.

I first began driving on my father's lap around the age of six in his Audi 4000 Quattro, and I knew from then on I wanted to race cars. This year I am driving a 1999 Subaru with a 2000 Group N Spec. Russ Hughes, my co-driver, started with me this year, and his experience and advice have been key to our success this season.

The team is supported by AutoDesignHaus.com, RallyPerformance.com, and Vermont SportsCar. In addition, we've benefited tremendously from Prodrive's assistance, both during and between events. We are also very appreciative to Subaru for their contingency program, as well as their sponsorship of the ProRally series.

Jake: Ramana, thank you for taking the time to talk with me, and it has been a pleasure. I wish you good luck this year; hopefully we will see a lot more of you out on the stages.