He and co-driver Marc Goldfarb overcame early handling problems with their NOS Energy Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX to pull into third place late on Day 2.

“It was a classic snow rally,” says Comrie-Picard. “We stayed in it and didn’t make any big mistakes.”

Sno*Drift is the only true winter rally in the series, and the typically slick conditions reward a measured approach and excellent tire choice. The rules for rally competition in North America prohibit the use of studded tires and finding traction at high speeds poses a particular challenge on ice and snow.

“Winter rallies are a constant balance of deciding how hard to push against how to take as few risks as possible,” said Comrie-Picard. “Our Yokohama tires give us confidence across the whole range of these tough winter conditions — from deep snow to glare ice.”

A braking problem with the team’s competition vehicle emerged early in the contest and cost them some time, but the crew of technicians — supported by specialists from AMS, in Chicago, and Works, in California – were able to nurture the car to the finish.

Comrie-Picard and the NOS Energy Mitsubishi shared the podium with Red Bull-backed Travis Pastrana, the winner in his factory Subaru WRX STi, and second-place Rockstar Energy’s Tanner Foust in the ex-factory Hyundai Tiburon.