Author: Mike Shaw

OREGON TRAIL RALLY PARTICIPATES IN PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

Mike Shaw

@   PORTLAND, OREGON (January 26, 2016) – Billed as the premier Auto Show of the Pacific Northwest, the Portland International Auto Show will again this year include a display from the Oregon Trail Rally.   The Oregon Trail Rally, round 3 of the 2016 Rally America National Championship calendar, will present an Open Class Subaru WRX competition vehicle as part of the Subaru display at the Auto Show. On the main floor of the Oregon Convention Center, fans will have the opportunity to view the finely prepared competition Subaru…

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Familiar Faces Grace Podium of 2016 Dakar Rally

Mike Shaw

The final stage from Villa Carlos Pas to Rosario just finished, bringing the 2016 edition of the Dakar Rally to an end.  The top 3 steps of the podium are all faces that we would have expected the last 3 or 4 years in Dakar.  Stephane Peterhansel takes his 12th Dakar win, adding to an unbelievable career and giving Peugeot their first win since 1990.  It’s obvious why they call him Monsieur Dakar!  Thirty minutes back was last year’s champion and two time winner Nasser Al-Attiyah in the Mini X-Raid.…

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Episode 287 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode we start things off with a big focus on the Dakar Rally.  We also discuss news that Rally America has a new racing class and our opinion of Bucky’s first venture into stage rally.  We also talk about the upcoming Rally Monte Carlo and Ken Block’s switch from Red Bull GRC to the FIA World Rallycross Championship.  In an odd twist Jost Capito leaves his success at VW for a CEO position at McLaren Racing. And finally in IndyCar we have differing…

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Dakar Rally Report – Loeb Does it Again

Mike Shaw

9 times World Rally Champion has now won Stage 3, exciting many stage rally fans and showing that yesterday wasn’t a fluke.  That’s now two for two for Sebastien “The Master” Loeb and the powerhouse Peugeot Dakar team.  It didn’t take long for the cheers and jeers to start on social media of course.     We heard everything from: So now Loeb is making the Dakar as boring as he made the WRC. Thank goodness for the bikes   To:   Peugeot have done their homework since last year…

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Are You Following Dakar 2016? If Not, You Should Be!

Mike Shaw

Every year we talk about the Dakar Rally, but what is it about Dakar that makes it such a special event? First and foremost it is the scale. Each day’s racing stage is equal to an entire modern WRC event in length with transits as long or longer than the racing stages. It is not unheard of for teams to leave their bivouac before dawn and arrive at the next overnight stop after midnight. Then there are the conditions. The Dakar throws everything at the teams from wet and muddy…

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Episode 286 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode in rally we talk about the wet and wild inaugural SCCA NW Rally Sprint at DirtFish Rally School with clips from winner Jeff Seehorn and chief organizer Kito Brielmaier.  We also discuss all the moves in the WRC (recorded before the Meeke announcement), and the new Hyundai i20 WRC 2016.  In our Ummm coverage, the F1 season ended, but the infighting continues.  In IndyCar The Mayor of Hinchtown is healed, Conor Daly finally gets the full season ride we’ve been hoping for, and…

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The Inaugural SCCA Northwest Rally Sprint and Rallycross

Mike Shaw

The first SCCA Rally Sprint in the Pacific Northwest was wet and wild, but still a major success. The Northwest has been battered with rainstorm after rainstorm saturating the soil causing floods, landslides, and even a tornado hit Vancouver.  Thankfully the venue at DirtFish Rally School was free of tornadoes, and the early morning albeit cold was looking rather promising with only a light shower.  That all changed once the racing commenced as the clouds descended and the rain came. The harsh wet conditions made the event that much more…

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PR – Team RallyErika Take On Tall Pines Rally With New Sponsor

Mike Shaw

Press Release Chelsmford, MA: Team O’Neil Rally School joins Team RallyErika as they head to the final round of the Canadian Rally Championship. The team of Erika Detota and Mary Warren are pleased to announce an exciting new partner – Team O’Neil. The school’s support has allowed the girls to test and tune their Subaru Impreza before their next event. “I am glad Erika was able to shakedown the car before the event, as it will be her first time in Canada. We would like to work closer in the…

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Episode 285 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode we have special guest from the Pacific Northwest Kito Brielmaier who tells us all about the upcoming NW Rally Sprint. We also review the wet and wild Wales Rally GB and other bits of rally news. In our mixed motorsports segment we review the Mexico and Brazil GPs and finally in IndyCar we scrape the barrel to find some news.

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

Mike Shaw

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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