Rally – Page 10 – OpenPaddock.net

The View From the Right Seat by Niall Burns – Episode 4 – Blind Rallying

February 28, 2016February 28, 2016 Mike Shaw

The adventures of world travelling co-driver Niall Burns never cease to amaze! In this episode he takes us on a fascinating journey into a blind rally. Episode 4 – The React Blind Rally by Niall Burns I am currently in South Africa preparing for the upcoming SA Championship series opener here at the Goldfields Rally. Today I took some time away from my preparations to take part in quite a unique event, The React Blind Rally. This event is for blind navigators, who use instructions given to them in braille to…

The View From the Right (err..Left?) Seat by Niall Burns – Part 3

February 18, 2016 Mike Shaw

In his latest in his series of “The View From The Right Seat” , our Irish co-driver friend Niall Burns tells us what it’s like back home where tarmac rallying on narrow roads at insane speeds is king! Sit down, strap in, and enjoy the read! The View From the Right Seat – Part 3 A couple weeks ago I was asked, “Hey Niall, I want to hear what it’s like rallying down those famous Irish tarmac lanes!” This question is actually from Mike Shaw himself so I guess I better answer…

The View From the Right Seat by Niall Burns – Part 2

February 13, 2016February 14, 2016 Mike Shaw

Rally Co Driving Since my last article for Open Paddock I received a question via email asking, “Niall what’s it feel like in the car travelling down those forest roads flat out?” Well let me try and answer that one. Rally Co Drivers are sometimes the unsung heros in the car, the following is a statement I read before from Ian Harden, “the driver is only a show case for awesome navigating talent”, I remind myself of this statement sometimes at the end of events where I have…

WRC – Are They Really Arguing About Safety?

February 13, 2016 Mike Shaw

The safety argument. It’s such an easy thing to use as the basis for an argument because nobody wants to say they are against safety right? This week is the Rally Sweden, round 2 on the WRC calendar and the only true winter rally on the schedule (although Wales has had its share of surprises with a bit of the white stuff). Unfortunately mother nature wasn’t cooperating and unseasonably high temperatures had melted all the snow for many of the stages. In a desperate move to keep the rally on, organizers cancelled…

Episode 289 RallyCast – OpenPaddock.net

February 11, 2016 Mike Shaw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWe continue our segregated podcasts with episode #289, what we’re calling the Rally-Cast. This week for your listening pleasure Doug Patterson joins Mike Shaw and Matt Kalish as we interview special guests Troy Miller and Steve Harrell who showed just how close a rally can be decided, and that sportsmanship among competitors can be more important than a victory. We also discuss the rest of the results from Sno*Drift as well as other Rally America news. We finish off with a short preview of WRC Sweden which…

All Fours Rally Team – Marathon Rallying Across The Continent

February 6, 2016February 7, 2016 Mike Shaw

One of the stories you probably haven’t heard from Sno*Drift was about a Pacific Northwest entrant Agatino (Tino) Fortunato of All Fours Rally Team. You may recall when we discussed on our podcast the 2016 Subaru Contingency Program. The program centers around the Super Production Class and encourages competitors to purchase and race the newer Subaru WRX and WRX STI platforms. It offers a combination of discounts for entry fees, a start bonus, as well as cash rewards for podium finishes. All Fours Rally Team are the first to take full…

Rally America – The View From the Right Seat and Across the Pond by Niall Burns

February 6, 2016 Mike Shaw

Irish rally co-driver extraordinaire and friend of the show Niall Burns wanted to give us Americans some insight into how he sees rallying in the USA as both a co-driver and as a rally fan. The View From the Right Seat and Across the Pond by Niall Burns As it is Super-Bowl weekend, I feel it is only fitting to start this article with a field sport image. You have built the best stadium in the world and you have got the top players in the sport ready to do…

Former Subaru Rally Team USA Driver Dave Mirra Dies at 41

February 4, 2016 Mike Shaw

We are sorry to report that multiple X-Games gold medalist and frankly BMX God, Dave Mirra has passed away due to an apparent suicide in Greenville, North Carolina. Dave made the transition from pedal power to Subaru Rally Team USA and competed in both Rally America and the earlier years of Red Bull Global Rallycross. Mirra was known as one of the most approachable guys in professional motorsports. As many have probably already said, he seemed like “your average Joe” and was very easy to talk to. I remember spectating at Oregon…

Six Tenths. Six Tenths Gave Them The Story of a Lifetime

January 31, 2016January 31, 2016 Mike Shaw

This Year’s Sno*Drift Rally had the closest finish that you’ll unfortunately never see. This is where my bitterness in the lack of media from Rally America hits a boiling point. Beyond the interviews on Rally America Radio, there has been little to no effort in detailing what happened out on the stages. It sadly feels like the organization just doesn’t really care anymore. Even their social media was lacking this weekend with a handful of tweets, and some pictures here and there on Facebook and absolutely nothing on their web…

Sno*Drift 2016 Day 1 Complete, on to Day 2

January 30, 2016January 30, 2016 Mike Shaw

Results from Day 1 of Sno*Drift National Rally show what we all typically expect from the slippery snowy event. Staying on the road and out of the snowbanks is key, as is using the right tire, especially since studs are not allowed. Top seed SP driver Lauchlin O’Sullivan and co-driver Scott Putnam used their advantageous first on road position to good use and lead the overall standings by almost 3 minutes. Last year’s 2WD champion Troy Miller has moved to SP class and has a new co-driver in Steven…