5 Reasons to Love Rally

It's a well known fact that I love rally. I've been a fan for many years, have been a crew member for various teams for the past 3 years, and come March, Team Finn (my husband and I) will officially be competitors in the sport. If you're already involved in rally in any capacity, you know how addicting and awesome it is. But rally (in America) is still a relatively unknown sport. This amazes me. I know TONS of automotive fans, so how is it possible that they're unfamiliar with the greatest form of racing there is?? (If you say NASCAR is, I will punch you in the throat.) Maybe we're just not doing a good job of explaining it to the average person. So let me attempt to fix that right now. I am going to give you 5 reasons why you should love rally. Or at the very least, go to one and check it out. Because I guarantee that once you experience it, you will be hooked. So without further ado... my list. 

1. The cars.
If you love cars, or even appreciate cars, you will be utterly smitten with rally cars. These vehicles are built to traverse any and all conditions. They're fast, agile, and sexy as hell. These are not just grown up Hot Wheels cars. They are built with a purpose, and it shows. From the eye catching exteriors down to the tough as nails suspension, every detail of these rides serves a purpose. And the sound.... oh the sound. It's absolutely something every certified car lover should have caress their ear holes at least once. 

Photo courtesy of Eric Delaney at Lifeblasters

2. The spectating is epic.

Spectating at a rally is an adventure of its own. There are no bleachers, no cushy stadiums. It's raw, dirty, and not for the feint of heart. You'll drive out into forests and back roads that you would otherwise never traverse. You'll hike into the woods, and up mountains to find the perfect spot. You'll see Mother Nature's most stunning views, and find yourself lost in the incredible beauty of it. And that's before the first car drives by. But once the cars start, you better be paying attention. Depending on the rally, you could see crazy jumps, water crossings, or dirt road drifts that have you jumping back to get out of the way. It's up close and personal racing. Spectators are oftentimes the first on the scene to help push, pull and drag competitors out of ditches and trees. You become a part of the event, not just bench warmers. The spectator stories are usually just as exciting as the racers. 

Just one of the spectacular views you'll experience in rally.
This is from Rally West Virginia.

3.It's up close and personal.

When you go to a rally, whether as a spectator, volunteer, crew member, or competitor, you are a part of the rally. You don't need a special pass to get an autograph or photo with the drivers and cars. At every event, before the race starts, there is Parc Expose. This is similar to a car show, where all the competitors cars are lined up, and the drivers are socializing and wandering around. There's no charge to get in, and you can meet and greet with everyone, including the VIPs. Most teams have freebies, like posters, stickers, bracelets, key chains, etc. that they pass out, so you can always grab some goodies from your favorites. And the service area is always open during the event to spectators as well, so you can stop in and watch crews do fast paced repairs, hear crazy stories, and grab some photos. 

4. This.

Photo courtesy of M.Campbell Photography

Photo courtesy of M.Campbell Photography

Photo courtesy of M.Campbell Photography

Photo courtesy of Scott Rains (Rains Photography)

Photo courtesy of Scott Rains (Rains Photography)

5. It's a family.

Rally may be a sport, but above and beyond that, it's a family. Everyone you meet through rally becomes an instant friend. The camaraderie is unlike anything you'll ever experience. Very rarely will you find, in any sport, competitors helping each other out. But you see it regularly in rally. Everyone is there because they share a passion for the sport, so they support each other in any way they can. I always tell people that rally is addicting, because it is. When you head home from a rally, you are usually dirty, sore, and utterly exhausted. But you still hate to leave. You don't want to say goodbye to your rally family, and you start counting down until the next event. Why? Because there's an energy that surrounds rally that just can't be explained. It can only be experienced. 

*If you're interested in experiencing these things firsthand, consider volunteering. Or at the very least, go spectate an event. I promise you won't regret it. For a rally near you, go to Rally America or NASA Rally Sport and check the schedules.