Open Paddock RallyCast Ep. 35 – Mike Goes to a SCCA RallyCross

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadA little bit of a different RallyCast this week as Mike Shaw went on location to compete in his first SCCA RallyCross.  This was the opening round of the Oregon Rally Group’s RallyCross series and it was at a brand new location. RallyCross is how so many drives get their start before moving on to stage rally and it’s easy to see why.  Although the course was short and sharp, some of the same challenges arose such as changing “road” conditions or managing the…

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Episode 223 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadMike, Doug, and Mike take over the show as Fearless Leader Shaun is pulled away on other business. We review the IndyCar testing results, consider the implications of Verizon signing a long-term deal as entitlement sponsor, and review the news from the Mazda Road to Indy. Mr. Shaw shares news of Foust and Block competing in World RallyCross, and he previews the WRC Rally Portugal. Whitesell leads us through a review of the Formula One season opener at Melbourne, and we all shake our…

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SCCA – Drifting in the Dirt at the SCCA Rallycross Nationals

Editor’s Note: Mark Hill is a member of the Kansas City Region SCCA and a regular competitor in the Region’s Solo racing events in his Evo IX. He also competes in Rallycross in his Subaru Impreza RS. Mark was kind enough to give us the following report from this season’s SCCA Rallycross National Championship held at Tulsa Raceway Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We thank Mark for his contribution, and look forward to seeing him at the upcoming Solo and RallyX events. If the SCCA Solo National Championships in Lincoln take…

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Global Rallycross Returns to the USA – Quick Recap Before X-Games LA

The Global Rallycross Championship has returned to the USA and they wasted no time in stacking the events.  3 weeks ago they went to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and a week later were racing on the high banks at Bristol.  After a short break, the 500+ HP “angry bees” (as Tanner Foust has been quoted) are back at it again with X-Games LA this weekend.   The Courses so far: The organizers are quickly figuring things out.  For GRC to be viable, they needed proper rallycross tracks.  They got…

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SCCA – RallyCross Event 2: The Dust Up in Paola

On a pretty crowded weekend for the SCCA’s Midwest Division, the second rallycross event of the year for the Kansas City Region still had a good turnout with representation from many of the neighboring regions. The weather early in the morning was brilliant, and we were optimistic for a gorgeous and comfortable day. Those hopes were dashed, however, as the Sun continued to climb. Temperatures soon reached the 90’s while the humidity between 50 and 60%, and the wind struggled to be much more than a slight stirring. It was…

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GRC – Overseas Recap

The Global Rallycross Championship returned to the United States this weekend.  Before I get into the drama of New Hampshire, here’s a quick recap of what happened overseas. First of all, I have been quite critical of the GRC organizers and their track designs, at least until now.  The first event was at X-Games Brazil, and the track consisted of 90% clay dirt and a single concrete slab used as the start / finish.  In Brazil the dust was a huge issue, so to combat that they added water to…

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OP-Ed Rallycross: Does it Help or Hurt Stage Rally?

This Sunday is the season opener of the FIA European Rallycross Championship (a.k.a. RallycrossRX), which will be followed in just a couple of weeks with the Global Rallycross Championship opener at X-Games Brazil. I began to ponder what other motorsports, and particularly rally fans, thought of the sport of Rallycross. Do you think it helps or hurts stage rally? A quick overview of Rallycross for those not in the know. Rallycross uses what at first appears to be typical 4wd WRC type hot-hatches like the Ford Fiesta and Citroen DS3.…

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SCCA – RallyCross Season Is Here!

Ever since the first Kansas City Region SCCA rallycross event last October, I’ve been anxiously awaiting our second. Yesterday, registration was opened for the first of four rallycross events the region has planned for 2013. The event will be at the same location as last year’s event, at a member’s property south of Garnett, Kansas. The field has some elevation change which makes for a challenging course as for half of the circuit you’re trying desperately to find grip as you climb uphill, and then you’re desperately trying to keep…

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Episode 162 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadKevin Neely joins Shaun and Doug for the first time as they discuss the sad sick world of IndyCar politics and the soap opera that has unfolded over the past few weeks. The boys also welcome 2012 SCCA Rallycross National Champion Brianne Corn to discuss her beginnings in motorsport, her transition from photographer to racer, and her exploits in rally, rallycross, and racing motorcycles up Pikes Peak. Talk about sketchy!! Shaun and Doug also review the Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix and preview this…

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