Rally Series Day 6: Co-Driver Amber Stacy

Because I had so many great responses, I'm extending the Rally Series into a second week. AND MAYBE A THIRD! (Ok, that might be a stretch, but I am really enjoying it, so you just never know.) Anywho... on with the interview. Today's show & tell session is with the sweet and sassy, Amber Stacy.

(Photo credit: William Machin)

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

Amber Stacy: "I'm the co-driver for Flying Frog Rallying. Car is a 2001 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS with a new attitude for the 2014 season. 2014 will be my 3rd year as a navigator. STPR (Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally) 2003 was my first event as a spectator, and I was hooked. There are so many achievements, it's difficult to name them all. I came in 2nd place for the NASA Rally Sport Atlantic Rally Cup my first year. While I still needed more practice and had things to work on, I can say 2013 gave me even more experience and helped me gain more confidence."

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

Amber Stacy: "I think the biggest inspirations are grassroots guys and gals. So much time, money, energy, weekends, and late nights are put into the car and getting to events. There is so much talent and dedication out there. They really don't get the recognition they deserve."

(Photo credit: Jon Kramer)

BFT: What is your favorite thing about rally?

AS: "Do I have to choose one? Anything can happen. You can be prepared, but never prepared enough. A finish is never guaranteed. When you can press on when things happen, it's a wonderful feeling."

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

AS: "I wish the grassroots teams would be acknowledged more. The media and even the Rally America coverage only focus on the big guys. I really think it's great that RA is going to cover two small teams each event this year, but so many are still getting missed. As a spectator, it's frustrating watching fans leave after the first 10 cars go through."

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

AS: "Do it, you won't regret it. I wish I had jumped in earlier than I did."

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?

AS: "Ah, this is one conversation I don't wish to get involved in. I swing both ways. While I know it would be beneficial, I also think about all the talent that gets overlooked. That just frustrates me."

BFT: Name 5 items on your motorsport bucket list.

AS: "I want to build a Miata to rallycross. I want to get a group of friends together and compete in LeMons. I am looking forward to entering a Hillclimb or two. I would like to spectate and co-drive in the WRC at some point in my life. While it would be over my head, it would be an amazing experience. Can anyone hook me up for a test drive in a 22b?"

(Photo credit: Alex Haugen Photography)

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

AS: "I had wanted to spectate at NEFR (New England Forest Rally) for many years. My driver and I were both on the fence as to which event we wanted to do, since both NEFR and RWV (Rally West Virginia) were on the same weekend. After what seemed like weeks of going back and forth, NEFR it was. This event brought on a couple of tests for our team and crew in dealing with a brake repair after day 1, and strut replacement on day 2. We were able to overcome and the roads were completely amazing. Unfortunately, leaving a minute late our of service cost us 2nd place on day 2. I still wouldn't change anything about that event."

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

AS: "Rewarding Challenging Teamwork"

BFT: What is your proudest auto related moment?

AS: "RNY (Rally New York) 2012, Alvin and I hit a jump in the EVO. After that stage, we stopped to ensure nothing major was damaged. Of course, the front end was out of whack after taking the hit and we couldn't close the hood, as the hood pins were bent. After realizing we didn't have zip ties in the car, and pacing around trying to figure out what to do, I pulled my hair tie out of my hair, and was able to secure the hood so we could transit back to service. How that hair tie held together with the heat coming off the engine, and weight of the bouncing hood is beyond me."

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

Amber Stacy: "2013 NEFR- I left my helmet and hans sitting on top of the car after we pulled over after a stage. We jumped back in and were stopped almost immediately after. Not knowing the reason why, I was quite relieved and embarrassed when someone handed me my equipment. I don't think I had ever been more thankful in my life that they saw it and stopped us."

(Photo credit: DaggerSLADE Media)

I'd like to offer my sincere appreciation to Amber for taking the time to answer my questions. And for more information on Amber, and the Flying Frog car, be sure to like and follow them on Facebook.

facebook.com/FlyingFrogRallying









Rally Series Day 2: Co-Driver Steven Harrell

Welcome to the second interview in the Rally Series. As I mentioned in the previous interview, I asked the same questions of each driver or co-driver, in order to see the various points of view.
My interview today is with co-driver, Steven Harrell.

(Photo credit: Lori Lass Photography)

Berry Favorite Things: Tell us a little about yourself, Steven.
Steven Harrell: "As a co-driver I get to try all kinds of cars with all kinds of drivers, but I'm primarily the co-driver for the TAG Rally Sport Subaru driven by Rory Gardiner. I've been involved with rally for four years, co-driving for three. I also once rode shotgun when the steering wheel came off at speed."
Berry Favorite Things: Who or what was your biggest inspiration in motorsports?
Steven Harrell: "My biggest inspiration in motorsports is the entire rally community. Everyone out there; every driver, every co-driver, every crew member, organizer, volunteer, and fan, they're all part of some kind of crazy family, always ready to help a brother or sister in rally. Whether it's a spot on their hotel floor so you don't have to sleep in the car, a tow out of a snow bank, the brake caliper of their daily driver, or just a few words of support or advice, they're the most incredible, helpful people I've ever met. I love this fantastic, crazy family."
BFT: What is your favorite thing about rally?
SH: "My favorite thing about rally is the adventure of it. Rally is more than just a race, it's a scenic tour of some of the most beautiful places you've ever seen set on fast forward. It's a battle against the unknown, on a living course that changes with each car that traverses it. It's the chance to compete with Ken Block's M-Sport Fiesta and some old hippies in a 2-stroke Saab all at the same time. You just can't get that anywhere else."
BFT: What is one thing you wish you could change about rally?
SH: "Just one thing I could change about rally? I'd say I'd like to see more competitors at more events on more roads in more places."
BFT: What advice would you offer to someone who was interested in getting started in rally? Maybe something you wish you had known earlier.
SH: "Don't leave your helmet on the roof! Seriously though, I think the best advice is to just get out there and do it. If that means buying a used suit off Ebay, shoehorning a Peltor headset into a base model Pyrotec, and running an old Festiva on stock suspension, that's fine. If your dream is to compete in rally, then figure out how to make it a reality and do it. Even if you're in the slowest car at the event, I guarantee you'll have more fun than you've ever had before."

(Photo credit: Lori Lass 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?
SH: "I think Rally America teaming up with NBC Sports is good news for rally. I'm still cautious, as the first round hasn't aired yet, so I don't know exactly what the package will look like, but it sounds like they're doing it the right way, including the regional and budget teams in the story. GRC (Global Rallycross) on the other hand... as much as I enjoy watching it, the series just feels kind of disconnected. I mean if you're a fan of NASCAR, you buy an old 80s Chevy and race it at the local track. If you're a fan of Baja racing, you buy a stock Beetle and race Class 11. If you're a fan of rally, you cage whatever you can and run the nearest regional event. If you're a fan of sports car racing, you do a track day at Lime Rock or PIR. If you're a fan of Global Rallycross, then what? You buy a $185,000 GRC Lite? That's not an option for 95% of the people interested in doing rallycross. One of the great things that helps feed most forms of motorsports is that there's an outlet for the everyfan to enter it at a lower level, live out their dreams, and possibly move up the ranks. Rallycross in the states doesn't really have that. The guys at American Rallycross are trying to change that, and did a good job last year creating an event at Pocono, but there needs to be more of a grass roots foundation, like there is in Europe."

*To find out more about American Rallycross, and events like Pocono, follow this link.*

BFT: Name 5 items on your motorsport bucket list.
SH: "Ok, 1) Drive a trophy truck. 2) Do the Dakar rally. 3) Rally Finland 4) Safari rally (ideally in a 911 RS) 5) Finish the Baja 1000."
BFT: What is your favorite rally event you've done and why?
SH: "I can't imagine picking a single favorite rally. LSPR (Lake Superior Performance Rally) is beautiful, STPR (Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally) pairs such great technical roads with such a slim margin for error, Tall Pines is an awesomely brutal endurance event, ESPR (Empire State Performance Rally) is crazy high speed fun, NEFR (New England Forest Rally) is a great survival race. They're all special in one way or another!"
BFT: If you had to describe rally in 3 words, what would they be?
SH: "Adventure, freedom, fun."
BFT: What is your proudest auto related moment?
SH: "There's such great contenders to choose from. My surprise win with Troy Miller, my first rally (Lanark with Justin Carven), my first major rally (NEFR with Rory Gardiner), my story on the Nameless GT86 going up on Jalopnik. But I think my proudest moment was running the Vegas to Reno Desert Race in 2011. Five years of crazy dreams and hard work, five years of imagining what it would feel like to drive in a desert race, finally becoming a reality. Those five hours behind the wheel were the best five hours I've ever had."

Berry Favorite Things: What is your most embarrassing/funny auto related moment?
Steven Harrell: "Did I mention leaving my helmet on the roof? That was by far the most embarrassing, especially since it would have ended our rally if not for Kris Gove donating his at the start of a stage. But funniest is probably NEFR 2012 when the steering wheel came off during a high speed section. I still remember looking over and seeing the loose wheel practically in Rory's lap. He kept the car on the road, got the wheel secured, and we were back to business. The whole ordeal probably only cost us 5-10 seconds. The moment was crazy enough on its own, but the exposure the clip has received since is absolutely insane."

*To see the infamous steering wheel moment, follow this link.*

Don't forget to follow Steven on Twitter as well @DVMSteve
And check out TAG Rally Sport on their website.

A big thanks to Steven for taking the time to do this interview, and keep an eye out for him (he'll be the guy in the crazy hat & often seen with a dinosaur) at rally events throughout the year.