Episode 291 RallyCast – OpenPaddock.net

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWe have a massive show this week starting off with two special guests, Tino Fortunato of the All Fours Rally Team and Nick Roberts of the Nick Roberts Global Rally Team!  Then we move on to a preview of the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood, followed by a special review of the rejuvenated British Rally Championship from our good friend Tom Firth in the UK.  Then we finish it off with a bit of WRC Mexico. It’s a long show and I hope you…

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New Liveries Abound for Rally in the 100 Acre Wood

Although it is the 2nd round of the 2016 Rally America Championship, the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood has become the stage for many new team liveries.   We at Open Paddock have been raving about the All Fours Rally Team livery they showed up with at Sno*Drift designed by RallyDesign. It is quite striking, but here’s a look at what else you’ll see from the competition at the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood this weekend. Nick Roberts changes up his “Planel” design for a new design that hasn’t…

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Episode 289 RallyCast – OpenPaddock.net

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWe continue our segregated podcasts with episode #289, what we’re calling the Rally-Cast.  This week for your listening pleasure Doug Patterson joins Mike Shaw and Matt Kalish as we interview special guests Troy Miller and Steve Harrell who showed just how close a rally can be decided, and that sportsmanship among competitors can be more important than a victory.  We also discuss the rest of the results from Sno*Drift as well as other Rally America news.  We finish off with a short preview of WRC Sweden which…

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Rally America – The View From the Right Seat and Across the Pond by Niall Burns

Irish rally co-driver extraordinaire and friend of the show Niall Burns wanted to give us Americans some insight into how he sees rallying in the USA as both a co-driver and as a rally fan.   The View From the Right Seat and Across the Pond by Niall Burns As it is Super-Bowl weekend, I feel it is only fitting to start this article with a field sport image. You have built the best stadium in the world and you have got the top players in the sport ready to do…

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Sno*Drift 2016 Day 1 Complete, on to Day 2

  Results from Day 1 of Sno*Drift National Rally show what we all typically expect from the slippery snowy event. Staying on the road and out of the snowbanks is key, as is using the right tire, especially since studs are not allowed. Top seed SP driver Lauchlin O’Sullivan and co-driver Scott Putnam used their advantageous first on road position to good use and lead the overall standings by almost 3 minutes.  Last year’s 2WD champion Troy Miller has moved to SP class and has a new co-driver in Steven…

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Higgins and Drew Move Up As Wales Rally GB Heads Into Darkness

7 times USA Rally Champion David Higgins and co-driver Craig Drew gained positions as those in front suffered in the stormy conditions during the day Saturday.  Massive amounts of rain, low hanging clouds, slippery mud, and standing water were the order of the day as remnants of hurricane Kate battered the Welsh countryside. Wales is used to heavy rain, however in this case they issued flood warnings and many outdoor events including a beloved rugby match were cancelled.  Not Wales Rally GB though.  The gravel roads in these Welsh forests are quite honestly…

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Higgins and Drew Storm Through Day 1 of Wales Rally GB

Day 1 of the final round of the World Rally Championship is coming to a close and we have of course been following the progress of Rally America multi-Champions David Higgins and Craig Drew.  Competing in a McRae liveried JRM built 2015 Subaru WRS STI Group N R4, the two have stunned many on the rain soaked and slippery Welsh stages with their pace.  Higgins told WRC Live Radio  that other than a little issue with the brakes after service the car has been great and he’s enjoyed moving up the field.…

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Rally, Rally, Everywhere a Rally

Are you bored with the long IndyCar off season already?  Or tired of the lame NASCAR chase which has turned into a demolition derby with cars used as weapons?  Or are you just holding your breath waiting for next week’s WRC finale at Wales Rally GB?  Don’t fret, there is still plenty of racing going on, especially in rally.  Today alone there are not one, not two, but three different rally events taking place here in the USA. Here in the Pacific Northwest the revival of the Wild West Rally…

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2015 Lake Superior Performance Rally – Driver Previews Open

Welcome to the final installment of Open Paddock’s Lake Superior Performance Rally Driver Previews. Today we are talking about the top tomatos – Open Class. In case you missed our 2WD class preview click here, or if you missed the Super Production preview click here. You need to ask yourself one question before you start to actively follow LSPR today. Do you know who the guys in those pretty painted cars are? If you answered no to that question please keep reading. If you answered yes keep reading anyway, hubris…

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2015 Lake Superior Performance Rally – Driver Previews Super Production

Welcome back to Open Paddock’s Lake Superior Performance Rally Driver Previews. We’re making sure that your knowledge of Rally America teams is up to date in this three part series, so if you’re new to rally or just want to get caught up before LSPR kicks off we’ve got you covered. In case you missed our previous 2WD class preview click here, and be sure to check in tomorrow morning when we’ll be talking about the big guns of Open class. Tonight we will be talking about the drivers and…

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