In Response To: The Broadly Meets video titled 'Meet One of America's Only Female Rally Race Drivers'

Over the weekend, whilst at a rally race, I was shown a video that annoyed me so much, I felt compelled to blog a personal response to it. The video was posted by Broadly, and is titled "Meet One of America's Only Female Rally Race Drivers". 
Before I begin my rant, let me link the video, so you can judge for yourselves. 

Here is the Broadly video.

The video is about Verena Mei, who is a model, actress, and race car driver. Before I go any further, let me point out that I respect Miss Mei's accomplishments as a driver. This post is in no way a personal attack on her, nor do I wish to take away from what she has achieved. 
My only response to her personally, would be to think a bit longer and harder about what media outlets she chooses to work with. I would also strongly suggest she make a public statement apologizing for the complete lack of research and the misinformation in this video. 

Now.... I have to say that my initial reaction upon watching this was absolute and utter disgust. And while that may seem strong, let me preface that by saying that I am not a fan of women who wish to gain attention for themselves simply for being a woman. If you ever want genuine equality, you must begin by allowing your actions and accomplishments to speak for themselves. If you are skilled at whatever you do, your sex should have absolutely nothing to do with it. If you allow yourself to be recognized merely for having a vagina, you are doing a disservice to females everywhere. 
In the video, she points out that auto racing is one of the very few sports that allows women to compete head to head with men. This is true. And that is why I loathe seeing the word "female" in front of driver. When interviewing a man, no one says "Introducing male rally driver David Higgins." Because his sex is irrelevant. Unless you plan to ask him something regarding his penis, it's unnecessary information. 
I love rally. And one of the things I love most about it, is that it genuinely doesn't matter what sex you are, how old you are, how fat or skinny you are, or how much money you make. Rally accepts everyone. If you can build a car, pay the entry fee, and fit in the seat, you can race. And if you can't drive, you can volunteer, crew, or codrive. There is no advantage or disadvantage to being a woman. (Aside from how quickly & easily you can urinate from a one piece fire suit that is.) I believe this is a big reason so many women are drawn to the sport to begin with. Which leads me to my next, and possibly biggest point.... 

"One of America's Only Female Rally Race Drivers"

Ummm.... WUT?! 

Without even trying, I can name at least ten or more current American female rally drivers. Give me a minute, and I can probably increase that number exponentially. As a matter of fact, when I watched this video, I was at a rally event, crewing for, wait for it.... A FEMALE RALLY DRIVER! (Let me give you a second to allow the shock and awe to pass.) Believe it or not, there were at least three female rally drivers at the event. And shockingly enough, none of them were Verena Mei. 
In the video, Verena says that she wishes there had been other female rally drivers when she started. Well, I hate to break this to you, honey, but there were. And if you were looking for some hardcore rally inspiration, might I suggest, oh I don't know.... the legendary Michele Mouton. She competed (and kicked ass) from 1974 to 1986, decades prior to Miss Mei becoming a driver. And there have been, and still are, countless other ladies competing since. 
If the point of this video was to be informative and encouraging to other women looking to participate in rally, it failed miserably. 
By choosing to disregard the plethora of other women in the sport, and focus on only one, who isn't even a current competitor (Verena Mei competed as a driver in 2012 and 2013. To the best of my knowledge, and based off my research, she has not driven in a rally event since.) you did yourself and the sport a great disservice. 
I myself, am proud to know many talented rally drivers, several of whom happen to be women. Maybe I need to introduce them to Verena and Broadly.... 

The team I was crewing for this past weekend, and some of the OTHER ladies of rally.
Driver: Tracey Gardiner, and codriver: Tracy Manspeaker.

I'm Not Just A Passenger

My husband and I participate in the motorsport of rally. If you've ever tried having a conversation with someone unfamiliar with rally, it's difficult to get them to understand what it is that we do. But the one thing everyone gets is that my husband is a driver. But no one seems to comprehend what my purpose is. They all mistakenly think I am just along for the ride. Sitting casually in the right seat, just there for fun. So let me clear the air. I'll begin by explaining the sport a bit... 
Rally is a form of racing that occurs on closed roads, most often out in the middle of nowhere. These roads are generally ORV trails, logging routes, two tracks, or other gravel paths, not especially used for motor vehicles. (There are also tarmac rallies, which occur on paved roads, but we only had one of those here in America, and as of this year, that one is gone.) 
In each rally, there are multiple stages, with transits in between. These stages are X number of miles long, with various obstacles along the way. Think trees, boulders, water crossings, jumps, cliffs, and anything else Mother Nature feels like adding. We race in all weather conditions. Rain, snow, ice, etc. At the start of each stage, the cars line up and are released on one minute intervals. This interval ideally keeps the cars out of each others way, but it is very common to catch and pass other cars on stage. 
The point is to finish each stage with the fastest time, and without penalties. At the start and finish of each stage, there are Time Controls. You must arrive to each arrival control on your exact minute. Not early, and not late. If you are not on your minute, you get a penalty, which results in a deduction of time. 
Those penalties can cost you the race, regardless of how fast you were, so it's crucial to be on the ball. 
Penalties can also be given for speeding on transits, negative behaviors from you or any member of your team/crew, and pretty much anything else the officials don't approve of. 
Rally is a dangerous sport, and safety is something that is taken very seriously. From protective gear, to required equipment in the car. 
Our cars are fitted with pretty extreme roll cages, race seats, 5 point harnesses, etc. Each driver and codriver are required to wear helmets, HANS devices, and fire suits. Cars are stocked with fire extinguishers and first aid kits as well, because during a rally, you are the first responders. This means that if you come across a car off during a hot stage, you are required to stop and administer first aid, and begin the process of getting medical help to the people in that car. 
Ok, so now that you have an idea of how the sport works, let me get to the point of this article. As I said in the beginning, my husband is the driver. He does the driving. That makes sense, right? So what is my job? I'm the codriver, also known as the navigator. In rally, there are always two people in the car. The codriver/navigator's job is very different from the driver's.
Our job begins days or weeks prior to the event. From researching the race (watching videos, studying old notes, etc.) to securing lodging, making schedules, coordinating the team/crew, and making sure that all the required paperwork is ready to go, and more. Once we arrive to the event, we are given two books. A Road Book, and a Stage Notes book. Upon receiving these, we immediately get to work. 

Now each codriver has their own system for prepping their books. I like to tab each stage with a color, and coordinate that color and number to the transit for the stage in the Road Book. I also pour over every page, looking for things that I think needs highlighted. (Cautions, hairpin turns, questionable crossings, etc.) It sounds silly, but when you are dealing with time, every second counts, so you need to be able to access the information as quickly and easily as possible. 
Now, each of these two books is written in its own language of sorts. Road Books are done in Tulips. They look like this:

These tell you how to get from stage to stage, from stages to services, etc. Your job as a codriver is to make sure that your driver gets to where your car needs to be at the exact right minute. (Remember, no penalties.) As soon as you cross the finish line of a stage, you have to complete a time card, and then grab this book and get where you're going. There's very little downtime.
Once you arrive to your stage (hopefully on time) the codriver gets out the Stage Notes book. These are written in Jemba note form. That looks like this:

All of the information you should need to know when running each stage is in these notes. From when to turn, how sharp the turn, to crests, jumps, possible obstacles, and more. The codriver's job is to read these notes to the driver while racing, so that they can drive the road, even when they can't see it. When you're going 100 mph through the woods, a misread note could mean you drive off a cliff or into a tree. Drivers and their codrivers share an immense bond of trust in one another, and their abilities to do their jobs well. Each position is crucial to your success in rally. 
Before we ran our first event, I thought I had an idea of what being a codriver consisted of. But I was definitely not prepared for the amount of time, energy, and pressure that go into doing it. I'm still in the very early stages of learning how to do this job and do it well, but I have mad respect for the seasoned veterans of the right seat, and how easy they make it look.
As codrivers, we know that the drivers get all the glory, and we're just fine with that. In fact, most of us believe they deserve it.  But the next time you think that codrivers are just "along for the ride".... please think again. 



***If you're interested in following our rally adventures, please check out our Facebook page Team Finn.
And follow us on Twitter @TeenaMarieFinn and @SubieDan and Instagram @Team_Finn_Rally 
As always, "Have Fun and Try Not to Suck" --Team Finn 

Sandblast Rally: Team Finn's Debut

From the moment Dan and I decided to carry on our family dream of building and racing a rally car, I knew it would be an adventure. From the creative budgeting, to romantic weekends spent in a cold garage, it's been interesting to say the least.
You see, the co-driver seat was never intended to be mine. Our son, Zachary, was always supposed to navigate. After his passing, it fell to me. After all, Team Finn only consisted of three members. I owed it to him, and to Dan, to step up and do my best. But it was a bittersweet acceptance. As much as I loved riding shotgun on this, I would have much preferred to be cheering for my two favorite guys. Unfortunately, that wasn't the path we were sent down. So we carried on as best we could, with Zach watching over us. A rally guardian angel, if you will. 
Sandblast Rally was always in our top choices for our first event. It was the first stage rally we ever attended (as crew) so it held a special place for us. The conditions seemed great for first timers as well. And so it was decided. 
After completing all the requirements to race (physicals, licenses, logbooks, etc.) we were on our way. 
Since South Carolina is roughly a 12 hour drive from Michigan, we decided to leave a day early, just in case, and hit the road Wednesday morning. That ended up being a very wise decision, since Thursday brought brutal winter weather to nearly every state along our route. That would have been sketchy for us with a 2WD tow vehicle. Plus, it gave us an extra day to prepare, so as not to feel rushed. 
We arrived in Cheraw around noon on Thursday. Shortly after, we headed over to rally headquarters to give them a hand setting up registration. By Thursday evening, I held in my hand my first official set of stage notes. 

These were to become my Bibles for the weekend. I would study them, and treat them with due reverence. If you're not familiar with rally notes, let me explain. In rally, each car has the driver (his job is pretty obvious) and a co-driver. The co-driver (or navigator) has to tell the driver what to to, where to go, and more. You are given a book of Stage Notes, which you read during the race to direct the driver of what is ahead. Turns, cautions, jumps, etc. These are written in what I refer to as Rally Hieroglyphics, but are actually called Jemba notes. They look like this:

The second and smaller book is a Road Book. In this, you have your transits. Directions guiding you from stage to stage, to services, and eventually, to your finish location. This is crucial. You have a limited time to arrive to your destination, and getting lost on transit could cost you penalties, which can result in poor finishes overall. So you have to pay close attention to your Road Book. This book is written in Tulips. No, not the flower. Tulips are a form of directions that are very basic. They look like this:

You're told your mileage, the arrow points the direction, and you are given the road name, or a point of reference. Easy peasy, right? 
So Friday began with a Novice Orientation class, where you're taught the basics of what you need to know. Safety, rules, and so on. After that, we headed straight to Scrutineering (otherwise known as Tech) to have the car and our gear looked over to ensure it met all of the requirements. We passed that, and off we went to Shakedown. Shakedown is essentially a small section of road that is similar in conditions to what you will find once on stage. It gives teams the opportunity to test the car and make any last minute tweaks or changes to suspension, tires, or whatever else. For us, it was our first time in real stage conditions. Full safety gear on, reading notes, and running at stage paces. 

Team Finn at Shakedown. Photo courtesy of M.Campbell Photography.

It felt good. Dan ran at what I would call a less than "taking it easy" pace, but we had no issues, and the notes were spot on. We made two passes, took a break, and intended on running more, but time ran out before we could. From Shakedown, we drove into downtown Chesterfield for Friday night Parc Expose. This is essentially a car show. All the competitors park the cars, hang out, and talk to locals, fans, and other competitors. After a couple hours of this, we headed to dinner (thanks Matt) before we went back to the hotel for some last minute Stage Note work and a good nights sleep before the big day.
Saturday morning brought sunshine and better weather. We suited up, and headed back into Chesterfield for more Parc Expose and a drivers meeting before the start.

At this point, I was feeling nervous, but less so than I expected. Dan was just fine. (Go figure.) After lots of laughs, some last minute note changes (thanks Liz!) and hugs from our crew and friends, we hopped in the car and lined up. 
The countdown had begun. This was it.... we were really doing this. I sent a little silent message to our guardian angel, and in no time we were off. 
First 2 stages went as smoothly as they could have. Dan was flawless, and I was not quite flawless, but finding my rhythm. After Stage 2, we headed in for our first service. After removing a child's sandbox from our wheels, hitting the bathrooms, and chatting with our awesome crew, we headed back out for Stage 3. Aside from a close call with a tree, we were still doing well, and putting in great stage times. By Stage 4, Dan was driving like an old pro. I still wasn't feeling super confident in my note reading, but he told me I was doing great, which helped. After Stage 4, we headed in for a quick fuel only service, and were back out to Stage 5. At the start of Stage 5, we encountered some delays, due to a biker having gone down and being injured. This shook me a bit, especially since, at the time, no one had much information on how he was doing. This stage was also the one that had received a substantial route change, and we had very little notes for that portion. We had already run it from one direction (changes had been at the end) but this was the reverse, which put the note changes at the beginning, and could potentially mess me up for the remainder of the stage. After the replacement ambulance arrived, the cars were back on stage. Dan did great, but the route changes definitely made me stumble. It took me a bit to get back on track, and to say the least, I was flustered. I was grateful to be headed back in for a long service to try to shake off my frustration. After a quick bite to eat, another sandbox removal, and some socializing, we headed back out for Stage 6. This stage was a complete fail for me. I had a few pages stick together in my book (damn sweaty hands) and it took me nearly to the end of the stage to get back on track. Add to that the fact that the sun was at the "You don't need to see right now." point of sunset, and Dan drove that stage blind on all counts. I have no idea how he managed to keep us on course, but I clearly owe him massive sexual favors for that one. 

On stage photo of Team Finn, courtesy of M.Campbell Photography.

 At this point, I'm very frustrated with myself. Dan (bless his heart) kept telling me it was fine, and was very encouraging, but I knew better. I had been less than stellar for the previous two stages. We pulled into the time control for the final stage, and encountered another delay. This gave us some time to allow the sun to set, and for us to chat with other competitors. There were many DNFs (did not finish) at this point. Many of them seasoned racers. With my confidence dwindling, and us with only one stage left to go, I was feeling some pressure. I needed to get my shit together on this one. This stage was filled with tight turns, and one bad note or mistake could cost us the whole race. We had come into this with only one major goal, and that was just to finish. We were so close. Delay over, and cars were back in line. I sent yet another silent message out to Zach to keep an eye on us, and I took a deep breath and tried to get out of my own head. The final stage was insane. It got dark FAST, and we quickly learned our one small light bar was not enough. Dan was flying, and even though my notes were on, we still came into a "dip" way too hot, sending the front end in HARD and launching us into the air. The gravel that rained down seemed to be in slow motion as we waited to see smoke from a busted radiator and front end. In what felt like forever, but was probably less than 3 seconds, Dan assessed our damage (or lack thereof) and we were back at it. After passing a fellow competitor on stage, we crossed the final finish. The emotions hit me like a train at full speed. I managed to hold it together (mostly) long enough to transit to our finish, but when we pulled in for the final time control and saw our crew & friends standing there cheering for us with huge smiles.... I lost it. That moment will forever be ingrained in my memory. 
(I wish I had held it together just a few moments longer though, because unfortunately, that last time control cost us big time. Some false information and our lack of experience ended up costing us a 4 minute penalty, as I discovered later on. But I don't want to get into that. I'm still a little salty about it.)
We had finished. We achieved what we had set out to do, and I was beyond thrilled. I couldn't stop the tears. My crew (and some others) engulfed me in a huge group hug and it was at that moment that I knew we had made Zach proud. It's an overwhelming feeling that I cannot describe. Bittersweet, raw emotion. 
After the awards dinner, we headed back to our hotel, high on adrenaline and feeling a little bit like rock stars. The next morning, we loaded up and went to lunch with our crew, before hitting the road for the long haul back home. 

My favorite picture from the weekend, with our AMAZING crew.  Courtesy of M.Campbell Photography.

It's now Tuesday. The rally high is gone, and the rally hangover is fading, and yet, it all still feels a little unreal to me. Like it was all a dream, and I'm still waiting to wake up at any moment. I still can't believe that we did it. When we began this journey, it felt nearly impossible. Like one of those bucket list items that you hope happens, but know might never be accomplished. But we did it. The road that brought us to this point was by far more difficult and rough than any rally stage you could throw at us. We fought our way back from the edge of despair, and we made Zach's dream a reality. And this is just the beginning.... 

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. 

Some Thoughts on the Future of Rally in America

The countdown is on in the rally community for January 1, 2015, when we will hopefully find out what all the hype over the USRA action really means. To say it's been confusing and a giant rumor starter would be an understatement, and the lack of response by Rally America to questions and concerns is frustrating to say the least. 
As a fan, crew member, and soon to be competitor in stage rally, I must say that I am a bit nervous about what this all means for the sport that I love. Like most of us, I'm not 100% thrilled with the way the sport is run, and would be happy to see some changes made that benefit smaller teams like ours. The constant catering by Rally America to the big names (cough, Subaru, cough) while almost entirely ignoring the small budget regional teams has left a bad taste in my mouth. Especially considering that in the past year, nearly all of the major competition and excitement has come from non factory backed teams, most of them competing at the regional level. Here in America, rally doesn't have the following that it does in the rest of the world. But it DOES have a following. And a loyal one at that. With the growth of rallycross, and the soon to be returning SCCA rally sprints, I think we will see a new wave of interest in the very near future as well. Rally isn't dead. Far from it. But it is getting increasingly more difficult to be a competitor and even a fan. So how can we fix that? What can we do to make the sport we love more available? 
The most obvious answer is to make entry fees cheaper. But is that possible? Rallies aren't free to run, and while I don't know the ins and outs of where the finances go, I don't think anyone is getting rich off of entry fees. (Although Anders at NASA Rally Sport DOES seem to have quite a nice hat collection... maybe we need to look into that.) But... what is the money going towards? Could it be used better? Or could some of that money be made in more creative ways? For example, at STPR in Pennsylvania, there is the super special event at the end of the rally, and spectators are charged a small fee to watch the teams compete in a rallycross type race. In my experience, that seems to get a pretty good draw. Would something like that be possible at all events? Or go even a step further, and for a larger fee, allow fans to enter their own cars, and compete against the drivers they admire. (An idea I saw suggested by a fan recently, that I think is rather brilliant.) Short ride alongs are another option. Anything that allows the fans to get closer and more involved is always going to help boost the sport. Let's start thinking outside the box. Maybe some of the bigger teams could hold raffles, and the winner could be an honorary crew member for the day. What about getting the local communities, who are hosting the races, more involved? A short parade ending at Parc Expose? Local businesses could pay to be in it, or teams could charge a small fee to drape banners or decorate their cars with the names of local shops, restaurants, etc. More often than not, the towns hosting these events have little to no knowledge of the sport, which leads to frustration and negative actions. (Holding up stages, complaints, etc.) If we made more of an effort to get them involved, who knows what kind of a difference it could make. 
Another issue I think needs to be addressed is media. Let's face it, we live in a media based world. It's never going to be easy to convince people to drive out into the woods, hike a few miles in the rain or snow, to watch a very small section of road, while one car every minute or two drives by. Even typing it is boring me. So how do we get them to watch? The obvious answer is through TV and videos. Rally America had an awesome opportunity with NBC Sports this past year, and they blew it. Aside from the fact that the episodes were essentially infomercials for Ford and Subaru, they also did a piss poor marketing job. No advertising, no internet availability, they even aired one event DURING another event. Seriously, guys? Get your heads out of your asses. I could go on forever about how disappointing that whole deal was, but I won't. Instead, I'll say this:
If FY Racing can get 20,000+ views on a YouTube video, there is most definitely a market for it. Maybe shooting for NBC Sports was too big of a jump. So let's start smaller. Nearly every team has a YouTube channel. Within hours of a race, there is countless fan and competitor footage floating around. Why not follow the likes of something like TheSmokingTire or /DRIVE and create small episodes for YouTube? Allow teams, fans, and photographers to submit their footage from each event. Or what about Netflix or HULU, or any internet based streaming company? Would it be possible to team up with them? Somehow we have to be able to get coverage to more people. I can't tell you how many non rally folks I have made watch 'Easier Said Than Done' who became instant fans. Those same people would never, ever take a weekend off to go sit in the woods and stare at 50 feet of gravel for an hour. Hell, I don't even want to spectate, and I AM a rally fan. But I'll be damned if I miss the latest FY, BRAKIM, or Subaru Launch Control video. Why? Because I can watch it without pants on, in my living room, and I can get a much better idea of the sport. If NASCAR only allowed fans to watch one turn, how many people do you think would show up to watch? The only way for fans to really see what goes on in a rally is through video. But guess what? Once they've seen the videos, they'll want more. So they'll come to events, they'll want to meet the drivers, they'll want to build cars and BECOME drivers. That is how a sport grows. Media is the gateway drug for the future addicts of rally.
We also need to start acknowledging that there are more than 3 teams in the sport. NASA Rally Sport does a great job of this, and Rally America should take a cue from them. Every single team paid to be there, and they deserve some recognition. It shouldn't be any harder to find times for small, regional teams than it is to find them for the big, national teams. If the only drivers people ever hear about and see are Travis, Ken, and David, then what happens when they quit showing up to races? Encourage fans to get to know their local drivers, interview the guy that worked two jobs to build his own car, share the stories of the other teams that aren't getting paid to be there. Let the fans know that rally is accessible to everyone, not just a few.
These are just a few of the things that I personally hope to see changed for the better in the new year. I love rally, and I'm excited to be a part of it, and I want everyone to know what an incredible sport it is. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed, as I know many others are as well, to see what happens with the announcements tomorrow.
Here's to keeping it dirty, my friends. 

(Thank you to Images by Achilyse for the original action shot used to make this.)

More Rally, Please

This past weekend, the hubs and I were in New York for a rally race. The Black River Stages. This was the first time we've attended this particular event, and it was a lot of fun.
Since our car wasn't quite ready in time to race this one, we volunteered to help crew for a friend of ours, who had just recently completed his first stage rally build.

                                                    (Here is his finished car, ready to race.)

This was the first event for driver, Todd, but luckily, he had a seasoned veteran in his co-driver, Brian.

                                         (Brian, left, Todd, right. Hank the Gnome, middle.)

I could tell you all about how the race went, that they had a minor off very early in the event, but recovered to place 5th in their class. But that's not why I'm writing this. Not that that isn't a good thing, mind you. We are very proud of them, and pleased with the result, and how the car survived nearly unscathed from its first outing.
But what I really want to write about today is how much I love this sport. I've been home now for two days, and I am still having withdrawals. I miss the sound of the cars, the smell of fuel, and the hustle and bustle of service. I miss all of our rally friends.
You see, rally isn't just about the race. It's about connections. From the moment you step into this world, you become a part of something. A family of sorts. Crazy and dysfunctional though it may be. You see old friends, and make new ones. And there are no awkward initial meetings. It's instant. The passion we all share for this sport creates a bond that is unique and quite strong. Over the weekend, I saw teams helping each other. Drivers and co-drivers offering advice and support to one another. I saw crews jump in to help other competitors, even in the same class. I saw people sharing food, tools, shelter from the elements, and more. And this isn't a rare occurrence, either.
This. Is. Rally.
This is why I love it. This is why I count down from one event to the next. This is why I am so proud to be a part of this world. The friendships, the laughter, the excitement, the disappointments, the struggles, the celebrations... all of it. There is no comparison.
This weekend, like many rally weekends, Mother Nature decided to make things challenging for us. From high winds, to thunderstorms and torrential rain. But we banded together, and we made it through.

                                             (Here's our little crew, waiting out the storm.)

Crews pitched in to help each other pack up and take shelter, while we waited on our cars to arrive. But no amount of rain could dampen our spirits. Through it all, there were smiles and laughter. And after the storm had passed....

                                           
We had a rally rainbow. And amidst all the chaos of service, you saw everyone stop for a moment and admire the beauty of that wonder of nature.
Nature is a big part of rally. The stages are set in some of the most stunning places you'll ever see. And it rarely goes unnoticed.

These are the paths less traveled. The roads that lead to real happiness. Whether you are a competitor, volunteer, or spectator, you can't help but be in awe of some of these views. Views you might otherwise miss.

But don't let the peaceful, serene sights fool you. This is still a race. The cars are fast and fierce. The competition is tight, and the danger is very real. Not all the cars survive. With challenging terrain and tricky conditions, anything can (and often does) happen. But that's all part of the intrigue.

(Just a few of the vehicles competing at BRS.)

These drivers and co-drivers have to be skilled, and courageous. This isn't a sport for the weak minded or faint of heart. I have the upmost admiration for these folks, and I hope when it comes time for our first race, that I have what it takes. I love rally. I love the highs, and even the lows. For it's during those times that you see what these people are really made of. The spirit, the drive, and the fight to push forward, no matter what stands in your way. They may fall, but they always get back up. That is the heart of rally. That is the blood that pumps through the veins of everyone in this sport. That is the bond that unites us all. That is what keeps us coming back, time and time again.



My Weekend At STPR 2014

I apologize for my absence, I'm sure you were all chomping at the bit waiting for my return. Well... I'm back.
It was a crazy weekend of rally in Wellsboro, PA (at STPR) full of lots of highs and a few lows. But I'm happy to say that we had a GREAT time. Big thanks to our friends Donnie & Amber for hosting us, and to their small blond child, Audrey, for keeping us plenty entertained the entire time. Also big congratulations to Donnie & Amber on their engagement, which I was honored to witness. I can now cross "witness a proposal" off my bucket list. It was very sweet, and they are two amazing people who I am so grateful found one another. I wish I had a photo of the stunning rock, because DAYUM, it was gorgeous. But I do have the romantic moment captured.

 

(above left is the proposal & bottom right is the "after" moment)

 

 



Just look at those smiles. Very happy for these two, and I know the future holds all the best for them.

So, I mentioned some lows. STPR is known as a "car killer" and this year's event left no doubt in anyone's mind on that fact. I don't think too many cars left there unscathed, and many left in severely rough shape. We had some big scares, which included a substantial off from team TAG Rally Sport, and being as there was little cell phone service in the area, it was awhile before we knew the status of our friends Tracey & Tabitha. After a trip to the local hospital to be checked out, they left with some bumps and bruises, but all in all safe and sound.

 

Here are the girls at the start of Day 1. All smiles, being silly with Hank the Gnome. So glad these two are ok. Wish I could say the same for their car, but hopefully Jellybean can be fixed and make a triumphant return soon.

We had a few other scares as well.

 

 

Our friend Gary of V8 Rally Ranger had a major off, also, and I am heartbroken to say that his truck did not fair as well as its passengers. But the guys are safe, and that's the most important thing. Fingers crossed we see the rally truck back in action sooner than later, as it is definitely a crowd pleaser.

 

 

Our buddies, Matt & Ian also had an off, though minor, it still kept them from finishing the race on Day 2. But the Honda is still solid, and ready for another go. Sad to see them DNF, but once again grateful for the safety equipment that protected them.

 

 

Our pal, Jeff (31 Motorsports) was kicking some butt, until he too had a pretty bad off. Jeff seems to enjoy having the car on its roof, but we hope he gets that out of his system soon. ;) He did end up with a trophy for Day 1, so congrats on that.

 

 

Happy to say that the Shark Attack car driven/co-driven by Ryan & Steven did awesome. Not only did they have easily the best jump of the event (Have you ever seen a shark fly? I have.) but they left with some trophies too. Great job, guys.

 

 

 

The Flying Frog car, piloted by Brian, and co-piloted by Amber, had a rough weekend as well. Luckily only a very minor off, but the car just wasn't performing at its best this event. Hopefully Brian can get Kermit fixed up right, and ready to kick some ass by the next event.

The quiet troopers, Alex & Chris made us all proud this weekend, by doing awesome. Trophies for both days, and a relatively unscathed car. Glad to have met these guys, and give them a hand with their car. Congrats, boys.

 

From close calls, to double rainbows, this event had it all. I could spend days writing about it. It was our first time out at STPR, and it certainly did not disappoint. As always, we had a great time seeing all of our old friends, and making lots of new ones. The rally community is an incredible group of people, and we are honored to be even a small part of it. So proud of all the competitors, crew, volunteers, and spectators. They all made it an awesome event, and I am already looking forward to next year.

Vacation/Rally Time!

The hubs and I are heading to Pennsylvania tomorrow for a few days of fun at STPR. (for more info, click here)
We will be doing some crewing for a friend's car (and possibly additional cars as well) and getting in some much needed visiting time with friends.
I love rallies. The camaraderie and enthusiasm is infectious. Even if you only see them a handful of times a year, the friendships are still incredibly genuine and deep. There is no shortage of smiles, laughter, and comedic storytelling.
And did I mention the cars? Yes. Lots and lots of beautiful, dirty, angry sounding rally cars. Music to my ears.
Needless to say, I am very much looking forward to it. But... that means I won't be blogging for the rest of the week. I know... I know.... it's heartbreaking, soul crushing, and awful news. And I'm sorry to have to break it to you this way. But I'll be back. And hopefully with lots of fun stories to share. Or at the very least, some hilarious photos and/or video footage.
So don't be sad. I'll be back before you know it, and all will be well in the world once more.
In the meantime, if you're having withdrawals, you can always go back and read old posts that you might have missed. You know, if you haven't been a die hard fan from the beginning and absorbed every last nugget of wisdom and humor that I've been spewing, you Berry Favorite junkie, you.
Just don't forget me while I'm gone. (I know, hilarious, right? Like that's even possible.)
And if you're near Wellsboro, PA, swing by STPR and check out the fun. You could even cheer on some friends of ours. Like this crazy guy.

 

(Photo credit: M.Campbell Photography)

 



Rally Series Day 5: Driver Nathan Usher

It's hard to believe it's already Day 5 of the Rally Series. I know I am thoroughly enjoying these interviews, and I hope you are as well. I love the sport of rally, and I feel very passionate about sharing that love with you, my readers.
Today's interview is with driver, Nathan Usher.

Left: Aaron Usher Right: Nathan Usher

(photo credit: Matt Bushore)

 

 

Berry Favorite Things: Welcome, Nathan. Tell us a little about yourself.

Nathan Usher: "I got my start in 2008 doing SCCA Rallycross. I bought a used rally car in 2010 and raced that in Group 2 for a couple years before building the Subaru that I'm now racing in Open Light. My brother, Aaron co-drives for me, but we haven't come up with a team name yet; we should probably do that at some point. We have different people crewing for us just about every rally, usually new guys who want to get into competing in rally, or spectators who want to see a rally from another perspective."

Berry Favorite Things: Who or what was your biggest inspiration in motorsports?

Nathan Usher: "Growing up, playing the Colin McRae rally games and seeing him race on TV was my first taste of rally. At that point, I already knew it was something I wanted to do, but I didn't have the time and money to get started until after I finished school."

BFT: What is your favorite thing about rally?

NU: "As a driver, my favorite thing is that you only drive each road once or twice on a rally, so you never really know what's coming up after the next curve. At events where I'm not driving, my favorite thing is how close you can get to the action. I especially like to watch the services, where teams are able to do major repairs to cars in just 20-30 minutes."

BFT: What is one thing you wish you could change about rally?

NU: "There really isn't a lot I would like to change about rally, which is why I started doing it in the first place. My biggest issue being a self funded driver is the initial cost to get started (mostly safety gear) and per event cost. Event organizers are doing their best to keep event costs down, so I've just been doing my best to keep my costs low at each event."

 

(photo credit: Pete Kuncis)

 

BFT: What advice would you offer to someone who was interested in getting started in rally? Maybe something you wish you had known earlier.

NU: "The best way to get started would be to volunteer to work controls/tech/etc. at some rallies. You'll learn a lot of things that aren't obvious otherwise, and probably save yourself some time penalties at your first few events. Also, since most of the workers are current and former competitors, you'll meet people who can give you a lot of great advice on getting started."

BFT: With Rally America teaming up with NBC Sports, GRC (Global Rallycross) growing in popularity, and big names like Travis Pastrana back in stage rally, do you think more attention will be beneficial to the sport in America? Or do you think it could have adverse effects?

NU: "I think it can definitely be beneficial to the sport. I think a big problem is that even in areas close to rallies, a lot of people don't know anything about them. If more people see the event coverage showing upcoming events, it could increase spectator and volunteer turnout in the short term, which could eventually lead to more new competitors. I first learned about rally from watching TV coverage and that is what pushed me to competing."

BFT: Name 5 items on your motorsport bucket list.

NU: "I don't really have a bucket list, more like a list of long term plans/race car projects that I think would be fun to build and race. I work as an electrical engineer, doing mostly embedded control projects. I enjoy doing that sort of thing as you can see from the following list. Even if they end up not being competitive, I think they would all be interesting projects. Electric Lotus 7 replica - I built a Westfield SEi and autocrossed it for a few years, and I think it would be a lot of fun to build another one, but with a custom motor controller. Rally car traction/stability control - It should be a lot cheaper than buying fancy differentials, since most rally guys throw away all the necessary hardware when building their car. I'd just need to replace the terrible Subaru ABS "brain" with something custom. CVT rallycross/rally car: with a good transmission control algorithm it would never be in the wrong gear, and would leave my right hand free for steering and hand braking."

 

(photo credit: Stan Spruce)

 

BFT: What is your favorite rally event you've done and why?

NU: "That's a tough call, since I've liked all the rallies I've competed in. I would say my favorite is STPR (Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally) the main thing that sets it apart from the others is the Super Special stage they have. It's set up similar to a lot of the WRC (World Rally Championship) events with two cars running side by side, and it's also the only stage I've been to where drivers get to watch their competitors. STPR was the first event where we trophied in a field  with a lot of competition, and we moved into the trophy position during the Super Special."

BFT: If you had to describe rally in 3 words, what would they be?

NU: "teamwork, perseverance, crazy"

BFT: What is your proudest auto related moment?

NU: "I don't have anything too great right now, so I'll pick a fun one: I got under 10 minutes around the Nurburgring Nordschleife in a rental Suzuki Swift on a wet track."

Berry Favorite Things: What is your most embarrassing/funny auto related moment?

Nathan Usher: "The time I flipped my WRX onto its roof on the second corner of Sno*Drift. To make things worse, it was the first time competing in a car, so I had just spent a lot of time and money getting it rally ready and I made it less than a quarter mile before having to do major repairs."

 

 

Special thanks to Nathan for sharing his insight into the sport.

If you see him at events, I strongly suggest taking a moment to talk to him.

He's a great guy, with a lot of useful knowledge.









Rally Series Day 1: Driver Dmitriy Martynov

Welcome to the Rally Series. Throughout this series, the questions asked will be the same with each driver or co-driver I interview. I wanted to give my readers a look into the world of rally through the eyes of the participants, and the chance to see each individual's take on it.
My interview today is with rally driver Dmitriy Martynov.

(photo courtesy of Dmitriy)

Berry Favorite Things: Tell us a little about yourself, Dmitriy.

Dmitriy Martynov: "I've always been into cars, and started racing when I bought my 2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS about 10 years ago. At the time I didn't know anyone who did any sort of racing, not family, not friends, so I just went online, and stumbled onto SCCA... so I bought a helmet and went to my first AutoX. I was instantly addicted, and AutoXed for a couple of years, claiming a couple Detroit Regional titles. Then, one winter, when AutoX was sleeping, I tried RallyX and was hooked. I have now been through a number of different cars and have tried all sorts of off and on-road racing. I seem to always come back to rally because I find it has the greatest element of adventure, and a very closely knit community. Right now I race a Group 2 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS in the very competitive NASA RallySport and Rally America 2WD championships."

(photo courtesy of M.Campbell Photography)

Berry Favorite Things: Who, or what was your biggest inspiration in motorsports?

Dmitriy Martinov: "I don't think I have a single person, but every time I get on Facebook and see someone doing something awesome (cars, motorcycles, bikes, hiking...etc.) I get inspired and do it myself."

BFT: What is your favorite thing about rally?

DM: "The close knit community and adventure it provides. You get to see all sorts of interesting new places, experience new things, and overcome challenges. I think I've faced more challenges on some of my rally weekends than most normal people face in a decade."

BFT: What is one thing you wish you could change about rally?

DM: "Definitely the cost. Sure, it's awesome that you're out there running in the same event as Ken Block, but having to pay the same entry fees and get beaten because you can't put new tires on at every service kind of sucks. It would be great if there were more smaller, local events with more reasonable entry fees that would attract a less celebrity crowd. Most other motorsports have this, but US rally doesn't seem to. For example, compare a national level autocross- where people show up with two story trailers and $20,000 suspensions; to a regional one- where teenagers run their parents Honda Accords. NASA RallySport is trying, and the field is a bit more amateur... but it's still not quite there due to the $1000 entry fees."

BFT: What advice would you offer to someone who was interested in getting started in rally? Maybe something you wish you had known earlier.

DM: "Something I wish I would have known earlier and done: Start autocrossing as soon as you have any car. Don't wait until you buy a car that you think is sporty enough to race, or until you modify your car to be "race-worthy". Take your parents Taurus and go racing! Some good rally specific advice: *For the youngsters out there, get a good job, and focus on your career. It's a lot more fun if you have a good career to support your hobby and you're not stressed over funding or trying to find sponsors. *Buy, don't build your first rally car. You can buy a very competitive ready to go car for under $10k. No matter what kind of hookups you have, you will spend at least $10k building your own and probably 500+ hours of labor if you work on it yourself. The benefit of building your own is that you get to set it up exactly how you want it, but if you don't have a bunch of rally experience, you have no idea how you want it. *Don't limit yourself to rally. I honestly don't think it's the best place to learn to be a good driver, definitely not the most cost effective. You're never going to become an amazing driver if you only race 3-4 times per year. Try autocross, track, go-carts, dirt bikes, mountain biking...etc. *If you're building a car, leave the drivetrain stock (i.e. reliable). Spend good money on cage/seats, suspension, wheels, and tires. Those are the bits that keep you safe and make you go fast."

(photo courtesy of M.Campbell Photography)

BFT: With Rally America teaming up with NBC Sports, GRC (Global Rallycross) growing in popularity, and big names like Travis Pastrana back in stage rally, do you think more attention will be beneficial to the sport in America? Or do you think it could have adverse effects?

DM: "I think more attention is good. Considering that the current events are already close to filling up every time, I'm hoping it will mean there will be more events. Hopefully there will be series that appear to cater to more of a grassroots crowd. More people in the sport also means more vendor support, which means more volume of parts/tires and cheaper prices for all."

BFT: Name 5 items on your motorsport bucket list.
DM: "*Run a Baja event. *Build a retardedly fast pavement car, BMW or Porsche or something similar. Then troll it around track days. *Run a rally on a motorcycle. *Alcan 5000, have been wanting to do this for a while. *Win a NASA or RA (Rally America) championship of some sort...not really a must do, but would be nice."

BFT: What is your favorite rally event you've done and why?

DM: "Probably Rally Idaho. Amazing AMAZING roads and super friendly people."
BFT: If you had to describe rally in 3 words, what would they be?

DM: "Super epic adventure."

BFT: What is your proudest auto related moment?

DM: "I don't have a single moment, but I'd say that I'm proud of how far I've come by virtue of basically my work alone. I've never really had people encourage me, push me along, or give me free stuff/rides. Not to say that I don't have supportive friends, and haven't had a bit of luck, but I've definitely got to where I am by working hard through the entire process."

Berry Favorite Things: What is your most embarrassing/funny auto related moment?

Dmitriy Martynov: "I've had many... but the one that sticks out is having to back up past the start at Sno*Drift two years ago in order to make it up the icy hill that the start was on... while waving to a line of competitors behind us."



(photo courtesy of M.Campbell Photography)

Big thanks to Dmitriy for taking the time to answer my questions. Keep an eye out for Mr. Martynov at upcoming rally events, and give him lots of support and big cheers! He's a great guy, and a lot of fun to watch.

**Update: After a substantial off at Magnum Opus 2014, Dmitriy was forced to retire his car. 

He is currently in the process of finishing a new build, to debut this year. He has also started a new team, with girlfriend (and first time codriver) Molly Disend. To follow their adventures, check them out at Tachyon Racing.