Mike Shaw

2016 Indy 500 Preview – Live from Indianapolis!

May 28, 2016 Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadFor the first time the latest edition of the OpenPaddock band has come together in person at the most famous racing venue in the world. After having a splendid Cajun dinner at Yats on Mass in downtown Indianapolis, Mike Shaw, John Olsakovski, Doug Patterson, and the long lost Mike Whitesell give some impromptu predictions (if you can call it that) for tomorrows 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Enjoy!

RallyCast Episode 06 – OpenPaddock.net

May 21, 2016 Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this week we have a bit of a make-up episode. Mike, Doug, and John review both the Oregon Trail Rally and the Olympus Rally. We also discuss our experimental use of Periscope as a live streaming option at rally events and finish off with a brief look at some of the latest WRC news.

Rally America Champion Enters Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy

May 19, 2016 Mike Shaw

It isn’t often we see American rally drivers cross the pond to compete in any rally, let alone a round of the WRC. Starting today with a short super-special around Lousada, Portugal 2014 Rally America Super Production Champion Dillon Van Way and his British co-driver Andrew Edwards fired up their M-Sport built Ford Fiesta R2 1.0L along with 9 other teams from around the globe for what is considered the best prize in rallying. Here’s DMACK’s description of the rewards on hand this season. Widely considered as the most affordable…

Olympus Rally 2016 Preview

May 13, 2016 Mike Shaw

The much famed Olympus Rally kicks off this weekend outside of Shelton, Washington. Regional and National competitors will take to the same classic forest roads once used in the WRC during the much lauded Group B era. In fact this year marks the 30th anniversary since the end of that most exciting and yet dangerous time in rally history. It was in fact here at the Olympus Rally in November 1986 when the last of the beastly Lancia Delta S4s, Audi Quattro’s, and Peugeot 205 T16s took to the forests…

Final Stage Decided Multiple Classes at the 2016 Oregon Trail Rally

April 30, 2016April 30, 2016 Mike Shaw

The Oregon Trail Rally continued the dramatic final stage excitement we’ve been seeing all year in Rally America. It isn’t often stage rally can say that not one, not two, but three events in a row came down to the final stage to decide the overall victor. It was a battle down to the wire, in one of the most picturesque settings on the national championship calendar. This year’s Oregon Trail Rally first started with some short fan friendly stages at Portland International Raceway, and then trekked out east to…

Bryan Bouffier and the Mitsubishi RS – The Threat to Subaru is Real!

April 21, 2016 Mike Shaw

In our previous post about WRC driver Bryan Bouffier and his experienced co-driver Xavier Panseri coming to the Oregon Trail Rally, I must admit I wasn’t sure if the car would really be ready to challenge at the top yet. Those concerns vanished when I witnessed first hand the awesomeness of a world class rally driver in capable machinery from the right seat during the Press Stage at Portland International Raceway. As the team began to setup I saw the car roll out from the back of the big…

French Ace Bryan Bouffier to Compete at Oregon Trail Rally

April 18, 2016 Mike Shaw

We all know Subaru Rally Team USA has been a dominant force in Rally America for a long time. However a late entrant to the Oregon Trail Rally may mix things up a bit. Many Rally America fans will recognize Polish native Art Gruszka’s big Green APU truck in the service park and his Mitsubishi RS he debuted last year. The unusual little car looks a lot like the current WRC or R5 spec machines, but is a private development project. Unfortunately Art had a series of mechanical DNFs last…

2016 NW RallySprint Season Kicks Off at DirtFish Rally School

April 5, 2016April 7, 2016 Mike Shaw

Last Sunday was the opener for the brand new SCCA Northwest RallySprint season. As Kito Brielmaier of the NW Rally Association told us in our RallyCast Podcast last week, this is the first RallySprint event of at least 3 in Washington with others in Oregon soon to be announced to create a regional championship. Results from round 1 can be found on their web site here and we have a few of our favorite photos from the event below with a full gallery coming soon. Located again at the DirtFish…

RallyCast Episode 05 – OpenPaddock.net

April 2, 2016 Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this week’s episode Mike and Matt begin the first hour with special guest Jeff Seehorn of Seehorn Motorsports who finished on his first Rally America national podium at The Rally in the 100 Acre Wood. Jeff gives us a drivers perspective of the event and what his plans are for the rest of the season. Then Matt and Mike give their detailed breakdown of all the happenings from 100 Acre Wood. Finally at the 1:39 mark we finish with our second special guest Kito Brielmaier of the…

The View From the Right Seat – Episode 5 – S. Africa Rnd. 1

March 29, 2016 Mike Shaw

The adventures of world travelling co-driver Niall Burns continues! In this episode he takes us on alongside as he competes in his first South African National Championship event. Episode 5 – South Africa Championship Round 1 by Niall Burns Having spent the last number of weeks in South Africa training and competing in the first round of their national championship, The Goldfields Rally, a lot of people have asked me what the events and atmosphere is like. As I’m currently sat in Dubai on route to my next event…