Category: American Rally Association

RallyCast Episode 109 – ARA 2021 National Class Champion Mark Piatkowski

Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWe often talk about the rally family, but in this episode the term is much more literal. We talked with Mark Piatkowski and his dad Andy Piatkowski about Mark’s road to becoming the new LN4 combined class champion. We discussed his start in rallying, going from NA4 to Super Production and back to NA4, the value of wrenching on your own car, the challenges of getting to rallies across the country while also working a day job, and his decision to go from a…

Read More

RallyCast Episode 108 – The Nor‘Wester Experience

Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadAs most of you know, I’ve been around rallying for over a decade, but oddly it wasn’t until last month that I competed in my first ever TSD rally. Fellow Oregon Trail Rally organizer Mike Nagle wrangled me into joining him for the iconic Nor’Wester Auto Rally put on by the Rainier Auto Sports Club. Although I had a general understanding of TSDs, I had no idea just how challenging and enjoyable these regularity rallies could be.  So in this episode we chatted with…

Read More

RallyCast Episode 107 – Stories from Ojibwe Part 2 with Mark Piatkowski, Steven Harrell, and Ian Holmes

Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis is part 2 of our stories from the 2021 Ojibwe Forests Rally. After the event we caught up with Mark Piatkowski who explains his crazy 1.8 second win over Ele Bardha and his hopes for a national championship. We then chatted with co-driver Steven Harrell about his 3rd place in the hotly contested regional overall, as well as his earlier adventure in the desert with Ryan Millen. Finally we bring back co-driver and our former co-host Ian Holmes claimed his first regional Open…

Read More

RallyCast Episode 106 – Stephen and Katie Gingras from Ojibwe and Sound Man Derek Johnson Love

Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis is Part 1 of our chats from the Ojibwe Forests Rally 2021, and in this episode we caught up with Stephen and Katie Gingras about their close fight for the regional overall, and we get a taste of what LSPR is going to look like. I also introduce you to Derek Johnson Love, a longtime supporter of Open Paddock, and now taking  on a larger role behind the scenes to make the RallyCast sound better.

Read More

RallyCast Episode 105 – Dylan Gondyke Take 2

Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode we chat with driver Dylan Gondyke. Dylan started out crewing, but that was short lived as once he saw stage rallying with his own eyes, he needed to do it himself. He tells us about learning AWD and crashing his co-driver’s car, his dramatic first event at NEFR 2019 that defined everything we love about the rally community, and how just two years later he and Ben Chuong are regularly fighting for regional podiums. You can follow Dylan Gondyk’s onboards and…

Read More

RallyCast Episode 103 – Alex and Rhianon Gelsomino Return

Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWe bring back our good friends Alex and Rhianon Gelsomino which is now an all Subaru family.  In this episode we discuss their recent vacation travels, review their experiences from the Olympus Rally, and delve into what to expect as challenges at SOFR this weekend. We also take a tangent into the WRC which was in Sardegna last weekend, where Rhianon shares the humorous tale of a long ride on, not in, a tow truck.

Read More

RallyCast Episode 102 – Co-Driver Krista Skucas

Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWe caught up with Krista Skucas after a dominant win at the Mike Nagle Regional Rally co-driving for Derik Nelson in the Nordic Motorsports BRZ. We chatted about the event and it’s new stages, a dramatic moment that almost ended it all, as well as how she got started co-driving. 

Read More

RallyCast Episode 101 – Rally in the 100 Acre Wood Part 3 with Ryan and Rachel Rethy, Katie Gingras, and Arek Bialobrzeski

Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadPart 3 of the 100 Acre Wood review, it’s all about NA4WD. We kick it off with regional overall winners Ryan and Rachel Rethy who had a fabulous run with some extremely close competition. Then it’s Co-Driver Katie Gingras who with driver Chuck Surdyke was battling the Rethy’s until they got a little over ambitious into a fast left hander. And finally it’s a chat with Arek Bialobrzeski about his killer H6 swapped 2011 Subaru WRX hatchback that was so fast that it was…

Read More

RallyCast Episode 100 – Rally in the 100 Acre Wood Part 2 with Barry McKenna, Martin Brady, and Cameron Carr

Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIt’s our 100th episode! We start our chat with current ARA champion Barry McKenna who gives us all the details on his World Rally Car and all the changes they did to have it meet ARA regulations. It’s always a treat to be joined by Martin Brady. 100 Acre Wood didn’t go so well for he and Seamus, but their speed was remarkable. Then it’s co-driver Cameron Carr with some stories about recce and what it’s like to compete in an R5 for the…

Read More

RallyCast Episode 98 – The Rally Race Book Project

Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode we chatted with Dr. “Koz” – Michele Kozimor, Dr. Barbara Prince, and Emalie Rell about a study they’re doing about the culture of rally racing in North America. A long time Subaru fan, Michele had never been to a rally until a friend called about a bunch of Subarus running around Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.  That visit to STPR and her interaction with teams, fans, and volunteers inspired the project now in it’s 3rd year of research. Follow the Rally Race Book project…

Read More