Olympus Rally 2016 Preview

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…

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Final Stage Decided Multiple Classes at the 2016 Oregon Trail Rally

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…

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

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…

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French Ace Bryan Bouffier to Compete at Oregon Trail Rally

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…

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Episode 293 UMMM-Cast – OpenPaddock.net

John Olsakovsky

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJohn, Doug and Tom wander the deserts of the world seeking exciting open-wheel racing. Was there any to be found in the oil-rich sands of Bahrain where the sheiks and the Eccelstones play? Perhaps thrills were afoot amidst the rocky crags around Phoenix International Raceway where IndyCar returned after over a decade! Come along on our nomadic journey of all things UMMM…. Don’t forget your canteen!

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Road & Track Editor Jason Harper to Drive at Oregon Trail Rally

Matt Kalish

Road & Track should be changing its name to Road & Rally next weekend when Contributing Editor Jason Harper hits the stages of the Oregon Trail Rally. Harper, an automotive journalist with over twenty years experience, will be filling the shoes of 2015 Super Production Champion Lauchlin O’Sullivan in Dufur. A tall order for someone with a limited rally background, but don’t think that Harper is going it alone. Scott Putnam will be in his usual seat, guiding Harper throughout the weekend. Harper has a long history in the automobile…

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2016 NW RallySprint Season Kicks Off at DirtFish Rally School

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…

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RallyCast Episode 05 – OpenPaddock.net

Mike Shaw

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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…

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F1 – It’s Come To This

John Olsakovsky

I’m not one to rant on Twitter. But it needed to be said.   Come on @F1. The joke is over. You know the new qualifying format sucks. Put the idea out of its misery. Sincerely, F1 Fans. #F1 #BahrainGP — John The Race Fan (@JohnTheRaceFan) April 2, 2016 /micdrop OK, maybe not. But I’m one of many who has similar things to say about the effect of Formula One Strategy Group’s decision to retain the elimination-style qualifying system for Bahrain.  The Twisttersphere is awash with enough hate to make…

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

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…

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