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. 

Car Guys vs. Car Douches

I spend a good deal of time in and around the automotive world, and one thing I learned early on, is that there are car guys and car douches. To the untrained eye, they might not be distinguishable, but if you know what to look for, you can certainly tell the difference.
While it's safe to say that some brands of vehicles certainly attract one or the other, that is not a surefire way to tell them apart. Although it is a good place to start. For instance, if a guy drives a super jacked up diesel truck, with ridiculously large tires, a freakishly loud exhaust, truck nuts, and a rebel flag anywhere in it or on it, it's a safe bet he's a douche bucket.
Here are a few other observations I've noticed about car douches:
If you buy all of your car mods from the local auto parts store (Look, more chrome trim pieces!) you are probably a car douche.
If you spend all day on internet forums reading about what everyone else is doing to their cars, shit talking about how much horsepower your last "mod" gave you, and "how fast it is on the strip"... you are most likely a car douche.
If you spend more time standing next to your car while it's parked, than driving it, you are probably a car douche.
If you back your car in every single time you park, even if it's just for a quick party store run (and it's not for a valid reason) you are probably a car douche.
If you have stickers for parts manufacturers on your car, and you don't actually have those parts on the car... you are probably a car douche.
If the first thing you ask another car guy is "What does it run?" Or "How much horsepower does it have?" odds are.... you're probably a car douche.
If you do a burnout from every stoplight, and try to "race" the other cars, even when they are clearly not participating.... you are most likely a car douche.
If you park 100 miles from every other car in a parking lot, and take up multiple spaces, you are probably a car douche.
If you have the most bad ass, fast, modified, wicked sick car, and you never once got your hands dirty working on it... you are probably a car douche.
If you have a windshield banner announcing the make or model of you car, and it's not for sponsorship reasons... you are probably a car douche.
If you have a personalized plate that insults another type of car (RICEEATR, V8LOL, etc.) you are probably a car douche.
Obviously, I could go on, but I think you get the idea. There are real automotive enthusiasts, and there are posers.
Real car guys appreciate a quality vehicle, regardless of the manufacturer. Real car guys worry less about horsepower, and more about drivability. Because real car guys know that it doesn't matter how much power your car has, if you can't put it to the ground and control it... it's useless. Real car guys get dirty working on their cars, and take pride in it, they don't just pay someone to do it. Real car guys don't memorize information, they learn it through hands on experience. Real car guys don't just talk cars, they actually drive them. Real car guys know where the best junk yards and salvage yards are, not just the location of the nearest Auto Zone.
And for the record... real car guys are a hell of a lot sexier than car douches.

I'm lucky enough to be married to a real car guy, and this is just one of our 4 wheeled babies.
                                            Photo credit: M.Campbell Photography

Never Enough Rally

Over the weekend, I went to a movie premiere for a documentary about rally. The film is called 'Easier Said Than Done' and if you haven't heard of it, you MUST go check it out. (Here is the website, PLEASE go take a peek.)
This is a film by Matt Johnston, and he did an amazing job making a documentary that doesn't just tell you what rally racing is, but gives you an insiders look at the lives and stories of some of the people that make up this incredible motor sport.
I cannot say enough great things about this film, and I strongly suggest, no... I BEG you, to buy the DVD when it is released on October 2nd. You will not be disappointed. Though, I do think that it should come with a warning. "Caution: May cause you to become addicted." But you'll have to take that up with him.
 
My hubs and I have been a part of the rally world in a fairly small way for a relatively short time now, and I can honestly tell you that I cannot imagine my life without it. We have been fans for many years, but only recently did we actually take steps to make our dreams of rally a reality. (This is a long story, and if you want to know more, read my post With Thanks, From Team Finn.)
I've talked about rally before, and as I've said, explaining to others what rally is can be a difficult task. There's the obvious description, "You drive fast. And you do it on dirt, mud, ice, gravel, etc." but that just doesn't seem to be enough. Because when you are a part of the rally world, it is SO MUCH MORE. It is truly a lifestyle. Some people save up money for vacations, designer shoes, etc. When you live a rally lifestyle, if you have an extra $10 in your budget, you are probably online, buying some car part with it. And let's be honest, your rally car has probably come before groceries at least once. While my friends are out drooling over handbags, and getting manicures, I'm geeked out over new suspension, or tires. While others book cruises to exotic lands, I'm researching campsites and cheap hotels in the middle of nowhere-ville, and hoping there's at least one cell phone tower within 50 miles of it. But you know what? I wouldn't trade it for anything. Why? Because that's rally. It sucks you in, and you can't get enough. You barely finish one event before you are counting down to the next one. And don't even get me started on the people. You want to meet some of the most kind, generous, funny, good hearted, genuine folks you will ever know? Come to a rally event. Whether you are a driver, crew member, volunteer, or spectator, I promise you, you will leave there with no less than 10 new best friends. Rally people are absolutely amazing. It is a family. There is no such thing as a stranger. Every person in rally has their own unique story. Something that brought them to the sport. And more often than not, these individuals have struggled to get where they are. This makes them more understanding and compassionate than most. And it shows. The friends we have made in rally have become some of the closest people in our lives. It doesn't matter if you've known them a week, or for years, there is an instant connection that is undeniable. Whether you see them often, or only at events, these friends would be there if you needed them. No questions asked. It's an unspoken bond of camaraderie that defies all explanation. It is rally. This is what makes it so addictive.
It's hard to sell someone on rally who hasn't ever experienced it. How would you like to spend 4 days in a shitty hotel room, with 8 other people, in the middle of nowhere? But wait... there's more! You'll have to get up early, spend your days getting dirty, sweaty (or freeze your ass off) muddy and wet. You'll walk miles into the woods to see 5 minutes of action, or sit at a service area for hours on end, only to see all your previous hard work destroyed, fix it and send it off to be broken yet again. You'll be stressed out for a good portion of the time there, you'll be running on little to no sleep, and the cost of the trip is coming out of your own pocket. This is where the phrase "You just had to be there." must have come from. Because any sane, reasonable person would avoid this at all costs, but rally folks can't wait to do it. And you know what? It's worth it. But unless you've been there, seen it, and experienced it, you wouldn't believe it.

So for those of you who haven't experienced it, and think maybe you want to, I urge you to check out 'Easier Said Than Done'. If this flick doesn't make you want to build a car, join a team, or pack your bags and head off to the nearest event... There's no hope for you.

Thank you to M.Campbell Photography for this pic.

(Check him out here)

The World of Rally

We just recently returned from, what I can only describe as an adventure in West Virginia, where we went to spectate at a stage rally event. I often get asked "What is rally?" and I realize that I have a hard time explaining it. There are several types of rally, from WRC, rally cross (rallyX), Global Rally Cross, Rally America and NASA events, etc. They all share similarities, but they are also different. If you want to know all the details, my best suggestion is Google or YouTube.
If you want to know how I describe rally... keep reading.
Dan and I have been fans of rally for many years. From the earliest videos we saw of Colin McRae, to watching guys like Tanner Foust and Ken Block at the X Games. Rally sucked us in big time. We've always been fans of car racing and any car related event, but this was.... different. It combined not only wicked fast and awesome cars, but driving skill that went far beyond a quarter mile, straight line.
I've told you the story of how we intended on building a car as a family and racing. And how after losing our son, that plan changed. I've also told you how Dan and I have decided to carry on that dream together, in Zach's memory.
Since making that decision, we have taken steps towards it, by slowly building a rally car, entering local rally x events, and volunteering and spectating at stage rallies. We want to learn the ins and outs of rally, and have as much knowledge and experience behind us as possible. Little did we know that these acts would lead to so much more...
From our earliest encounters in the rally world, we quickly learned that this was more than a sport. It was more than cars driving thru dirt, snow, gravel, etc. It was more than turbos, tires and exhaust fumes. It was more than long hauls to remote places, with no sleep. It was a world of its own. Rally is more often than not, a grassroots thing. It's people who work hard, build their own cars, and make sacrifices to do what they do. And they do it for one reason. Because they love it. Plain and simple. And all of that shows the instant you step into this world. The rally world is amazing. It is filled with so many colorful, kind and awesome people. It is a competition, yes. But it is also a family. They help one another out as much as possible, they support each other and they do it without thought. It is just who they are. Every person in rally has a story. Why they do it. What brought them there. Struggles, sacrifices, etc. It is incredible to be a part of.
And it isn't just the drivers, co-drivers and teams. It's even the fans. For example, while down in West Virginia, our car broke down (no, we were not in the rally, this was our daily driver car) and we were literally stranded in the middle of nowhere, with zero cell reception and nothing around for miles. While out spectating, we had started chatting with a couple of guys there, and when they saw our situation, they didn't just offer to help. They insisted. They stood in the pouring rain with us, sat on the edge of the road for what felt like eternity, gave us rides and more. And all of this without a moments hesitation. We ended up spending the weekend hanging out with them and became instant friends. And as crazy as that sounds... it's par for the course in the world of rally. Everyone helps everyone, and these people become instant friends. You may not see them often, and you may live worlds apart. It doesn't matter. There are no strangers in rally. Only friends you haven't made yet. We have only been a part of this world for a short time, and already there are so many people that we've met, that I cannot imagine not having in my life. Their kindness, compassion and friendship have helped us in so many ways.
So what is rally? It's a family. It's a lifestyle. It's... the best. And If you've never experienced it, you really should. Because once you get sucked in... there's no turning back.

Cars and Fashion

Just last weekend, a very dear friend of mine, Vanessa, attended the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) Gala Event. Now, Vanessa is a fashion blogger, and a damn good one. If you aren't familiar with her blog, you should definitely check it out. (http://readydressedgo.blogspot.com/) She has an artistic eye for design and a sense of style that is off the charts. Keep in mind, I said that she is a fashion blogger. Not a car enthusiast. So of course the Gala Event was right up her alley. Wall to wall formal wear, fabulous shoes and enough bling and accessories to make Zsa Zsa Gabor drool. 
After the event, she did a write up on her blog about the great fashions that she had encountered. Upon tweeting this, a rather angry gentleman implied that the NAIAS was too Hollywood, and that it was about the cars, rather than the fashion. Now my darling friend, being the sassy and smart gal she is, of course already responded in her clever way with a brilliant retort. But, being as I AM a car person, and someone who also loves and appreciates fashion, I felt the need to respond as well. So listen up, angry car guy, you might just learn something.
Cars and fashion have long gone hand in hand. From the very early days of the automobile, it was a sign of style and class. You put on your Sunday best and went for a drive. You wanted everyone to know that you had not only money, but great taste as well. You would never step out of a Rolls Royce in sweat pants and a dirty t-shirt. It would be a crime. 
Car companies and fashion designers quickly realized what a great opportunity they had. By teaming up, they could expand their brands to an entirely new audience. In the early 1970's, AMC teamed up with Gucci for an exclusive edition Hornet. This was such a success, that higher end companies started following in their footsteps. Lincoln had an entire Designer Series line that included interior finishes from Cartier, Pucci, Givenchy and Bill Blass. Customers ate it up. Not only did you have a great machine, but now it had even more style and finesse. And it appealed to a whole new market. We all know at least one person who owned an Eddie Bauer Edition Ford Explorer or an L.L Bean Subaru Forester. They were extremely popular with not only car enthusiasts, but fashion lovers as well. And who can forget the denim upholstered Gremlin? What a spicy little gem that was. And how about Mini? Each year, they team up with a fashion designer to create a unique car, all in the name of charity. What a brilliant idea! Cars and fashion have long been hanging in the same circles. This is nothing new. How many clothing brands use cars and trucks in their advertising? Tons! Why? Because it works. If that great pair of pants didn't catch your eye, odds are, the sleek and sexy muscle car the model is perched atop did. And have you ever been to a car show? Look around. Eight out of every ten people there are sporting some kind of attire with their favorite car logo. From hats, shirts and jackets, to shoes, handbags and more. There is absolutely no denying that cars and fashion belong together. 
And as for Hollywood, well, have you ever seen a movie? Hollywood loves its cars. Whether they are the star of the film (Transformers, Fast and Furious, The Italian Job, Smokey and the Bandit, Gone in 60 Seconds and MANY more) or they are just being raced, chased, smashed and crashed, cars have made their mark on Hollywood and they aren't going anywhere. 
If I haven't made it clear already, I love cars. I fully intend on a trip to the NAIAS and drooling over the latest beautiful machines on display. I will talk about engines and turbos and I will make cracks about terrible body lines hideous wheels. But let me tell you this... if whilst oogling a stunning piece of automotive art, I happen upon a fabulous pair of shoes or a glorious handbag, you bet your ass I'll be checking that out too.