Year 1994

At the first event of the 1994 season battling in Production class title was held between veterans Dick Casey and Martin Dapot in their Volkswagen Golf GTI, and newcomer Jim Anderson with veteran co-driver Charles Bradley in a brand new Honda Prelude. After the fourth stage officials decided to move Dick Casey form Production class to Open because his vehicle was already seven years old. That leaves first place in class to Jim Anderson and all he had to do is to finish the rally.

Susquehannock Trial Pro rally was Jim’s next outing. This race was held on June 4-5 1994. Unfortunately the suspension problems kept him from finishing the race.

At the Marine Forest Summer Rally Jim was second in his class and eleventh overall trailing only to Bob Eliot on his Volkswagen Golf GTI.

So Jim stated the Ojibwe Forest Pro Rally as a leading Production class contender. Dave Turner was considered the favorite of this rally. Another Honda Prelude, driven by Canadian veterans Walter Petersen and Harry Pressey, was supposed to give the Yanks a run for their money. From the first stage the battle was developed between Walter Peterson’s Honda Prelude and points-leading Mitsubishi Eclipse of Dave Turner. After six stages Peterson leaded Turner by almost two minutes despite the fact that Honda’s bumper fell off during the night. Jim Anderson’s Honda Prelude finished third.

Next event, Sunriser 400 Forest Rally, took place at September 16 – 18, 1994. Point leaders Dave Turner / Bill Gutzmann were supposed to clinch the class championship with a win in their Mitsubishi Eclipse. Tad Ohtake’s Ford Escort GT and Jim Anderson’s Honda prelude were supposed to challenge Turner. After Friday stages Turner’s Mitsubishi Eclipse found itself in dead last among the national cars as a result of an off-road excursion which left the front wheels pointing in opposite directions. While the team decided to continue the only other Production car still running, the Honda Prelude of Jim Anderson/Matt Chester was about four minutes ahead of Turner. In result Jim took the first place and Turner was the last car finished.

Before Lake Superior Pro Rally Jim Anderson was still hoping to win his debut season in Pro Rally and the first day was more than successful. Jim was third in his class right above his main competitor Dave Turner. And the next day Jim’s Honda Prelude made it all the way through the last stage with a damaged suspension, but then broke on the transit stage going into the last MTC in Hancock (20 miles out of town) and DNFed.

The last event of the season at Marine Forest Rally decides nothing for Jim so he even afforded to stop and help Rees Harris who’s Mazda found itself on its roof.