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.

Rally Series Day 4: Driver Gary DeMasi (V8 Rally Ranger)

Today's interview is with driver, Gary DeMasi of V8 Rally Ranger. I met Gary at Rally West Virginia 2013, and have been a fan ever since. I really wanted to include Gary in this series, and I'm so glad he agreed to do it.

(Gary with Lee Wildman)

 

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

Gary DeMasi: "I am owner/operator of V8 Rally Ranger DeMasi Racing Team. We have been involved with the sport since 2004. We started as volunteer sweep team driver, and worked our way from the back. Heavy, to the front fast sweep, team leader, official, and then "Chief of Sweep". We had volunteered in 60 events in 9 years, enjoying the sport. I have never received an award, but helping the rally drivers, their crew, and care of the cars was its own reward. Making the race happen from the tail end of the field, it was a way to be involved 110%, and I loved it. I always wanted to compete, but I was content. Until one day, after a simple routine surgery, my life would change. Within 2 weeks, I had a CVA stroke on the right side of my brain, causing left side paralysis and other deficits in balance, linguistics, and functionality. But from day one I had a rally to run sweep in 8 days away. It was a sprint, I was the fast sweep, and I had to make it. People don't know what I sacrificed to do that, but it was something I had to do. I found that it was the way to recovery. Something to train for, so I decided to challenge myself to become a competitor, and use the knowledge I had. Use it before I lose it. And so we are here today. Using rally racing as rehabilitative therapy. It is not easy, struggle is still a factor, but I am not one to stop at adversity. So I advocate for my illness, and help others, and race my butt off."

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

Gary DeMasi: "It was personal. I loved racing and all that did it from a young age, there was no one person. It was the sport in general. The thought of I can do this! My love for go fast, be on the edge of control, and still make it work. Then it was the competition of it. All types of racing inspire me."

BFT: What is your favorite thing about rally?

GD: "I like rally because of the unpredictability. In all forms of racing, there is something that is repetitive, but with rally racing the challenge and changes are all the time. From the course, times, conditions, they all can be different. There is less room for error. Rally racing is not door to door competition as I love, but is the same and more, so it is a time attack on skill."

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

GD: "Cost is the only thing, and I do not see that happening. The other thing is for it to be more popular, so more people could spectate, sponsor, and be involved. Film makers are needed. Find sports commentators, and video it for the masses, with interviews and personalization. This would help. More photographers and videographers."

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

GD: "I came in this with built hands on experience. So my advice is to find a car you love to drive, one you have fun driving. You will be more competitive if you are enjoying your ride, and more likely to fix, prep, and take care of that ride."

 

(Photo credit: Mike Houston)

 

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?

GD: "WOW, this is a hugely good thing. If they don't focus  only on the big names, but regionals too, since they make up the field, bring the volunteers, and the people, not the big names. They bring fans, not people to help grow the sport at a grassroots level, and that is needed. Awareness is needed on how to get started, not we are the big leagues."

BFT: Name 5 items on your motorsport bucket list.

GD: "I would love to compete in a full season in Rally America's national series, feel like one of the big teams, or enter a race out of the country with my truck. I would love to try an AWD (all wheel drive) car as well."

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

GD: "Rally New York spring event, and now the Empire State Performance Rally, it is tarmac, and I have much history racing this area. After that it's STPR (Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally) this is a spread out full event, with some fun stuff and spectator interaction. Then Sandblast. This reminds me of the beaches of Long Island I used to love to drive on since I was very young."

(Photo credit: Austin K. Webb Photography)

 

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

GD: "ALL OUT ADRENALINE"

BFT: What is your proudest auto related moment?

GD: "The day I started my 1958 Volkswagen go cart. After 2 years sitting on the ground, covered in plastic and concrete blocks. I disassembled it when I was 11, and reassembled it when I was 13, with no help, and no book. All I replaced was a set of rings after pounding out a piston from the cylinder because the engine was seized. I found a ring set for one piston, and I thought I'd put it back together to see if it would run. It did, and everyone was surprised. I mean really surprised."

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

Gary DeMasi: "I've got a few of those. Rolling the truck, ahh... not so much. But the day after my first rally, the first turn had mud, and I got stuck in it, and had to be swept out, and I DNFed. After all the years of being a sweep, and now a competitor. Blah..."

 

(Photo credit: Jordan Apgar)

 

Thank you to Gary for being so awesome, and taking the time to do this interview! Be sure to take a moment and check out his team on their website V8RallyRanger.com.

Gary also accepts donations to help fellow stroke victims, and if you ever see his truck at an event, be sure to "Give a buck, and sign the truck!"

You can also check him out on facebook and on twitter @V8RallyRanger