Process of Elimination; Europeans dominate podium at 2003 Sno Drift.(Auto racing)

Byline: JOHN D. STOLL

Three months ago, David Higgins jumped up onto a bar counter in Houghton, Michigan, celebrating his 2002 SCCA ProRally drivers' championship. Higgins might have cause for celebration again, as he kept to his winning ways in the first ProRally event of the year, driving a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution to the win at American rally's annual Sno Drift, which takes place on 17 ice- and snow-slicked stages in Northern Michigan. The event marked Mitsubishi's first factory-sponsored foray into ProRally and the competition debut of its Lancer Evolution. Mitsubishi officials say the automaker will do what it takes to keep its winning edge, especially over rival Subaru.

Maybe team officials should simply pray for snow. Higgins' win came as three of his closest open class competitors, including both Subaru-backed teams, fell victim to the snow and ice that covered more than 100 miles of the wilderness back-roads course. Day one's leader, privateer Irishman and American rally mainstay Seamus Burke, saw his Mitsubishi Evo 6.5 knocked out on day two on stage 15.

Most cars started the rally Friday on competition snow tires, expecting to encounter trails covered with knee-deep snow, which is the Sno Drift norm. However, extremely cold conditions coupled with blowing snow created road surfaces that resembled ice rinks, forcing teams to contemplate tire choice throughout. Many teams switched to street tires for enhanced handling on ice.

Ramana Lagemann entered stage nine Saturday characteristically calm after jumping to second from fourth on stage eight, but lost control of his factory-backed Subaru, burying the rear end in a snowbank. His high-profile teammate, Mark Lovell, would retire later in the day thanks to an oil leak problem. Going into the final leg, Higgins, a Welshman, and Brit co-driver Daniel Barritt, only had to fend off a Finn, Tapio Laukkanen, and England's Jonny Milner. Laukkanen (AV Sport Subaru) and Milner (Prodrive Subaru Impreza) finished second and third respectively, more than two minutes behind ...