Mike Shaw

RallyCast Episode 12

December 10, 2016March 1, 2017 Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode we start with a bit of WRC news, then Ian tells us about his adventures at the Nemadji Winter Rally, Matt talks about attending a NRS Rally Sprint, and Mike gushes over the high quality media from the Tall Pines Rally. We finish off the show with our Dakar 2017 preview. Show Notes: WRC News #SebWatch Volkswagen 2017 cars could end up on the grid for Monte Carlo if Nasser Al-Attiyah can pull together enough funds Jari Matti Latvala confirmed to Toyota by…

Op-Ed: Media Done Right at Rally of the Tall Pines

November 30, 2016December 1, 2016 Mike Shaw

US rally fans, myself included, often complain about the lack of media coverage at stage rally events. In the Rally America Championship we’ve seen it go from the well funded days of a satellite truck with live video and interviews to waiting multiple hours for times to get posted and maybe the occasional Facebook post. There have been some recent improvements with the occasional Facebook live stream and Jim Beaver’s service park interviews with the top few, but it’s still a far cry from what many of us fans think…

RallyCast Episode 11 – Special Guest Phil Hall, WRC Australia, & Rally America 2017

November 23, 2016March 1, 2017 Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this week’s episode Mike, Ian, and Matt start off with an interview with international co-driver Phil Hall. Phil not only competed in WRC Australia last weekend, but has also done events in the British Rally Championship, Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy, the Canadian Rally Championship, and Rally America. We also review last weekend’s release of the Rally America 2017 schedule and the changes to their championship structure. Show Notes: Interview with Phil Hall The 28 year old co-driver has competed in BTRDA, BRC, The Finnish…

RallyCast Episode 10 – Vexit and Subaru Helps ARA Solidify It’s Legitimacy

November 11, 2016 Mike Shaw

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode Mike, Matt, and Tom welcome new member Ian Holmes to the show. Ian helps us debate VW’s exit from the World Rally Championship and where the drivers might go. We also discuss the big announcements last week from Subaru and the American Rally Association which appears to cement the new series as a real championship. We go over the 2016 Rally America Championship results, what the ARA announcement might mean for Rally America, and we finish things off with the Red Bull…

Subaru of America Partners with ARA for 2017 Championship Season

November 4, 2016November 4, 2016 Mike Shaw

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE American Rally Association, Inc. NATIONAL LEVEL SPONSOR ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2017 AMERICAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP Subaru of America to Sponsor American Rally Association 2017 Championship Season Plymouth, NH– The American Rally Association (ARA) is excited to announce Subaru of America as the first national level sponsor for the 2017 ARA National Championship. As the inaugural year for ARA, the support and sponsorship of automotive industry icon Subaru of America is a key development for the new series. ARA, an organization of experienced volunteers, is…

American Rally Association Expands to 6 Rounds with Canadian Winter Opener

October 16, 2016 Mike Shaw

In today’s press release from the American Rally Association, they have announced their full 2017 championship schedule along with a new 6th round to begin the season with a winter event in Canada. Full press release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SIX EVENTS INCLUDING A ROUND IN CANADA FILL OUT 2017 ARA SEASON American Rally Association Formally Announces Events in 2017 National Championship Series Plymouth, New Hampshire (October 16, 2016) – The American Rally Association announced today that they will collaborate with the Canadian Rally Association for Round 1 of…

Big Battles and Massive Entry List for Rally America Finale

October 13, 2016 Mike Shaw

One could easily forget that with the recent drama leading up to next season that the national championship has another rally to contest this season. LSPR, the Lake Superior Performance Rally, takes place Friday and Saturday in the forest tracks surrounding Houghton, Michigan and it is going to be awesome! This year’s LSPR should be a memorable one with an entry list tipping the scales with a last count of 75 entries with 25 of those entered as National or combined Regional/National, a number not seen in years. Some of the…

Op-Ed: American Rally Championships Expected to be a 5 to 4 Split for 2017

October 1, 2016October 1, 2016 Mike Shaw

After yesterday’s announcement that the Oregon Trail Rally will switch to the newly formed American Rally Association, there was a quick response from the organizers of the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood that they would remain under the existing Rally America sanctioning. We would like to announce that Rally in the 100 Acre Wood will be March 17-18, 2017 and will be Round 2 of the Rally America Championship. The 100AW group is starting its planning now and hopes the sanction has little bearing on who can come to…

BREAKING NEWS: Oregon Trail Rally joins American Rally Association for 2017

September 30, 2016 Mike Shaw

Another domino falls in the USA rallying sanctioning body saga as the Oregon Trail Rally announced this morning that they are switching from Rally America to the newly formed American Rally Association for 2017. Rallying in the USA has had peaks and valleys over the years, but recently has been gaining popularity. The new sanctioning offers a number of potential opportunities for continued growth, and we at Open Paddock are excited to see how it develops. Full press release below. Oregon Trail Rally Announce 2017…