BEGINNER'S LUCK.(Competition)(automobile racing news briefs)

Mitsubishi's newly founded U.S. rally team, coupled with a drought-shattering dose of rain, was enough to spoil Subaru's party in Palmdale, California, May 2-3. Subaru debuted a pair of 2004 WRXs at the Rim of the World SCCA ProRally with hopes of launching drivers Mark Lovell and Ramana Lagemann to the win. That could have happened had David Higgins (above), driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, not been leading Lovell by nearly three minutes with nine stages remaining Saturday when officials called the race because of safety concerns. Higgins snagged his second open-class win in two tries this season. Lovell took second and Higgins' teammate Lauchlin O'Sullivan claimed third. Tim O'Neil was the only non-Subaru/Mitsubishi driver in the top five, piloting an awd Ford Focus. Mitsubishi leads the manufacturers' cham- pionship in the open class and looks to defend its lead in Pennsylvania next month.

Most drivers completed the abbreviated Rim of the World. Organizers said this rally experienced the heaviest rainfall in its 20-year history; because Southern California back roads aren't built for rally car use, they limited the race to just 60 miles and eight stages rather than the full 107 miles and 17 stages. After completing the scheduled five stages on a rainy Friday night, the field spent Saturday morning with a three-hour delay only to complete three stages for the day.

"It was very extreme,'' said Higgins. ''I've never been in anything like that before.''

Sharp leads first day

The 87th Indianapolis 500 got under way Sunday with Scott Sharp posting the fastest lap for the second year in a row. Sharp wasn't particularly impressed with his 228.764 mph, in part because he confirmed it was aided by a tow. "By the time qualifying comes it won't mean much,'' the IRL points-leader said. "It's more important here to be consistent through the week.''

Helio Castroneves proved he is a contender for an unprecedented third straight Indy win, delivering the day's second-best speed. Team Penske's driver was third in testing two weeks ago to then-teammate Alex Barron and Shigeaki Hattori. The pacing by Sharp and Castroneves gave Toyota the top two spots and seven of the first nine on the manufacturer's first official day at the Speedway.

At our deadline, there were 28 confirmed car-and- driver combinations with two more teams (Beck Motorsports and PDM Racing) expected to name drivers. Several of the larger teams say they are maxed out with cars. Clearly, the IRL has some work to do to avoid this becoming the first race since 1947 to have fewer than 33 starters. Barron and Jeff Ward, a pair of race winners in the IRL last season, still do not have rides for the 2003 race.