Tag: American Rally Association

Lake Superior Performance Rally (LSPR) Elects New Chairmen and Host City

Mike Shaw

Open Paddock has learned that the Lake Superior Performance Rally has elected Steve Gingras and Eric Carlson as their new co-chairmen. Steve told Open Paddock “It’s going to be a big challenge but we want to build an event that is going to be strong for several years.” This is yet another ‘changing of the guard’ we’ve been seeing over the past several years as a younger generation begins to run events. “Only somewhat younger” as Steve jokingly put it. This is quite the change for the former Production GT…

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2020 Ojibwe Forests Rally Preview

Mike Shaw

2020 Ojibwe Forests Rally Preview by Mike Shaw After the recent announcement of the cancellation of the Lake Superior Performance Rally, it’s nice to have some good news, and that news is that it’s rally week!  With the adjusted schedule due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, this weekend’s Ojibwe Forests Rally makes for round 3 of the American Rally Association national championship calendar. Being down to only 5 total rounds, every point counts and the championship battle will be hotter than ever. The Roads Well known for it’s Finland like crests…

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RallyCast Episode 84 – 2020 Southern Ohio Forest Rally Preview with Jeremiah Johnson and Jeremy Meyer

Mike Shaw

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIt’s rally week!! With the American Rally Association’s national championship restarting, we caught up with event Chairman Jeremiah Johnson and ARA Marketing and Media Director Jeremy Meyer.  We get a quick preview of the roads, weather, competition, ways to follow, and how they’ll be running a socially distanced championship event. 📸 by iHeartfast     

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Mad Mike’s Musings – Speed Meets the Snowbank

Mike Shaw

Welcome to our new series “Mad Mike’s Musings” by Mike Halley.  For those of you that have been involved in North American rallying for a long while, you’ll recognize the name. Mike has been involved in rallying in one form or another since 1972 and can still be found at events today.  With all those years of experience, Mike has many stories to tell and opinions to share.   This Installment:  Speed Meets the Snowbank   With Sno*Drift soon to launch the 2020 season of the ARA National Championship it seems…

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RallyCast Episode 64 – Ojibwe Forests Rally Review with Special Guest Ryan Booth

Mike Shaw

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode we review the Ojibwe Forests Rally from a couple of weeks ago with special guest and Ojibwe National Open 2WD winner Ryan Booth. Ryan had a stand-out performance in his first outing in a McKenna Motorsports Fiesta R2 while Ian was happy to be back in the right seat of the Three Triangles Rally Truck.  Join us for a great discussion about some of the best stage roads in the American Rally Association championship.     

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RallyCast Episode 61 – Rally Colorado Review and the Story of Earl with Preston Osborn and Ed McNelly

Mike Shaw

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode we bring back Preston Osborn of O.D.D. Racing along with their Master Technician and competitor Ed McNelly to review Rally Colorado. Preston jumped into a new roll as rally organizer and Ed tells the tale of Earl the rally car, one of the first M-Sport Fiestas in the USA who’s long rallying career came to a dramatic end at the event. Photo:  Tedrick Mealy before (Oregon Trail Rally) and Jon Seaton after (Rally Colorado) Video of Earl’s demise:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8gJhpiPBgw

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RallyCast Episode 54 – California Rally Series Director Jennifer Stonecipher

Mike Shaw

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode we turn our attention to the desert southwest as we chat with the director of the California Rally Series, Jennifer Stonecipher.  California has a rich rallying history that continues on today as a championship within championships.  You can follow the CRS on the web, Facebook, and Instagram.  Timing and scoring on rallydata.com.      CRS Calendar of events for 2019: May 4: High Desert Trails (C3) Ridgecrest, CA – NRS Sanctioned June 22-23: Idaho Rally (C3, C3) Boise, ID – ARA…

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RallyCast Episode 51 with Keanna Erickson-Chang

Mike Shaw

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadA bit of a late post as we recorded this back on Tuesday. Anyway, last week we welcomed one of the few women drivers in rallying, Keanna Erickson-Chang to the RallyCast! We talked about how she got hooked on rallying, her work with the Formula 1 in Schools program, women in racing, and her exciting international schedule for 2019!     The best way to follow Keanna is here on Instagram    

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RallyCast Episode 49 with Michael Hooper of River City Rally

Mike Shaw

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis Episode we chat with Michael Hooper of River City Rally out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. He tells us how he got started in rallying and why he decided to choose a Lexus as his vehicle of choice. Hoop also took first place at the inaugural Missouri Ozarks Regional Rally a couple weeks ago where he did a charity raffle for the Fanconi Research Foundation with the winner being rewarded to co-drive.     Photo by MTJ Photography Follow River City Rally at the following social…

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RallyCast Episode 48 with Cameron Steely & Preston Osborn of O.D.D. Racing

Mike Shaw

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis week we called up our friends Cameron Steely and Preston Osborn of O.D.D. racing. O.D.D. has become one of the preeminent rally teams in America highlighted by their amazing 2WD Rally America Championship win in 2016.  Since then they’ve moved on to Limited 4WD and just won their class a week ago at Sno*Drift 2019.  Apologies for some of the audio issues as Cameron’s cell phone kept dropping in and out a few times.       You can follow Cameron and Preston at the…

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