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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F1 – FiA Gets One Right

John Olsakovsky

A lot is being made of the FiA’s recent decision to allow Formula One teams choice among three available compounds of Pirelli tires.  It’s a huge change, no matter how you slice it, but on that I like.  OK, I don’t advocate slicing tires, but I do advocate options that result in differing team strategies and, ideally, better racing on track. I even appreciate the idea of keeping teams’ compound selection secret, at least from other teams.  If a team knew another teams strategy, they could counter it, and it…

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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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Higgins and Drew Storm Through Day 1 of Wales Rally GB

Mike Shaw

Day 1 of the final round of the World Rally Championship is coming to a close and we have of course been following the progress of Rally America multi-Champions David Higgins and Craig Drew.  Competing in a McRae liveried JRM built 2015 Subaru WRS STI Group N R4, the two have stunned many on the rain soaked and slippery Welsh stages with their pace.  Higgins told WRC Live Radio  that other than a little issue with the brakes after service the car has been great and he’s enjoyed moving up the field.…

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Wales Rally GB 2015 Live Coverage

Mike Shaw

There is a healthy helping of live coverage for Wales Rally GB this weekend.  The final round of the WRC 2015 calendar will have the 3 stages live on WRC+ in addition to the daily highlight and event review programs.  As a bonus, WRC+ is offering a 20% discount to those wanting to purchase their app for the entire 2016 season ahead of time.   SS9 – Gartheiniog 2 – 11.34KM – Starts Saturday 1:30 AM Pacific Time SSS13 – Chirk Castle – 2.06KM – Starts Saturday 6:30 AM Pacific Time…

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Rally, Rally, Everywhere a Rally

Mike Shaw

Are you bored with the long IndyCar off season already?  Or tired of the lame NASCAR chase which has turned into a demolition derby with cars used as weapons?  Or are you just holding your breath waiting for next week’s WRC finale at Wales Rally GB?  Don’t fret, there is still plenty of racing going on, especially in rally.  Today alone there are not one, not two, but three different rally events taking place here in the USA. Here in the Pacific Northwest the revival of the Wild West Rally…

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