RallyCast Episode 91 - Our Annual Chat with Co-Driver Alex Kihurani

Happy New Year listeners!  In this episode Co-Driver Alex Kihurani chats with us about the challenges of their condensed 2020 WRC3 season, working with the FIA's new Rally Star driver program and how sim racing plays a part, getting used to the speeds of Rally2 machinery, and the exciting plans he and Sean have for the 2021 season which starts in just a few weeks.  After what we heard, you'll definitely want to renew that WRC+ All Live subscription! We also have a brief chat with Scott Alderson of Scott Alderson Art who's seeking a little bit of sponsorship help to keep those really cool rally coloring books free. 

📸 Sainteloc Racing

RallyCast Episode 90 - Alex and Rhianon Gelsomino Return

In this show Alex and Rhianon discuss their pandemic shortened 2020 season and how what started out as quite the blow to their business and livelihood, suddenly opened a new opportunity when Rhianon got the call co-driver for Travis Pastrana in the #199 Subaru. We also talk about how American rally rules encourage good sportsmanship vs. other places in the world, and how Alex and Ken used that to their advantage in their early years competing in an Olsbergs Fiesta. We also chat about the crazy contraption Subaru came up with for Rhianon to use to wipe the windscreen in front of Travis while traveling at high speed, and we even chat a bit about the WRC and their past experiences at the Monza Rally Show. So kick back and grab a cold one while you listen to the latest edition from our virtual rally pub.

RallyCast Episode 89 - Olympus 2020 Part 2

In Part 2 of our Olympus review show, we conclude our interview with Regional overall winner Dave Clark, and then provide some thoughts and insight from our commentary crew which includes our host Mike Shaw, rally photographer Tedrick Mealy, and recently announced 2020 Eastern Regional Open 2WD champion co-driver, Kelsey Stephens of Cooper Autoworks.  

RallyCast Episode 88 - Olympus 2020 Part 1 with Regional Overall Winner Dave Clark

In this episode we welcome a man who's smile we didn't think could get any bigger, but then he won the overall regional in his BMW E36 M3.  It isn't often a 2WD car can make it to an overall podium, let alone an all out win, especially in the dumping rain and slippery conditions that Olympus 2020 had on offer.  Mike Shaw and guests hosts Kelsey Stephens and Tedrick Mealy find out how he was able to pull if off and how he got started doing this crazy little sport that we all love.  

RallyCast Episode 87 - ARA’s New Series Competition Director Preston Osborn and Ojibwe Forests Rally Review

In this episode we welcome back friend of the RallyCast Preston Osborn. After toasting to his new role as ARA's new Series Competition Director, we chat about what interested him in taking up the new position, areas he plans on focusing first, and what his recent skills as a team manager and competitor at O.D.D. Racing can bring to the sanctioning body's management team. From there  we delve deep into a review of the Ojibwe Forests Rally and learn why everyone should keep an eye on a kid named Andre D'Orazio.

Also, check out our full written review from the event, including fantastic pictures from David Cosseboom of iHeartFast

https://openpaddock.net/2020/09/07/2020-ojibwe-forests-rally-battle-royale-edition/

RallyCast Episode 86 - Rally Colorado Preview with Travis Nease and Dan Norkus

With Rally Colorado this weekend we wanted to get a quick preview out to all of you so you'll know what these competitors will be facing.  We called up Travis Nease and Dan Norkus to give us an idea of what the roads are like, what they think of the hefty entry list of competitors, and what their plan of attack is being 3rd on the road in a new car.

RallyCast Episode 85 - The Pub Chat

We didn't have any special guests this week, although we think we're all a little bit special in our own way.  In this episode Mike, Ian, Kelsey, and Calvin chat about numerous subjects including socially distanced rallying, dealing with high temps, and what we think of one day rallies for national championship rounds. We also chat about the rest of the world starting to rally again, WRC cars running in national events, schedule changes, whether we'd like to see tarmac rallying as part of ARA's future, and more in a hodgepodge of rally chat at the virtual rally pub we call the RallyCast.

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

It'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 

RallyCast Episode 83 - Chris Greenhouse

In this episode of the RallyCast presented by Oz Rally Pro we welcome back Chris Greenhouse. Although not seen as frequently on the American rally scene of late, Chris is one of the fastest 2wd competitors out there. We talked about social distanced rallying, his overall win at Central UP, and how he's looking forward to the depth of competition at the upcoming Southern Ohio Forests Rally. We even helped plant the seed of a potential run at the ARA Open 2WD championship. Grab a cold one and  enjoy a chat with us at the virtual rally pub we call the RallyCast.

Official Central UP Press Release:

Greenhouse tops field at Central UP Rally

Powers, MI, USA

Chris Greenhouse and Ryan Scott took their Dodge Neon SRT4 to the overall win at their first attempt at Central UP Rally. Heavy rain created treacherous road conditions, but the team was undeterred and took the win not only against the 2-wheel-drive cars, but also against all of the much higher spec all-wheel-drive cars. For Chris, this was his second 2WD victory this season, but also his first ever overall win. Chris has competed exclusively in the 2WD class and scoring an overall victory in a 2WD car is a feat that's almost unheard-of in modern rally.

"Conditions were not favorable at all," said Chris after the event. "Friday was absolutely gorgeous with clear, blue skies, but then the rain started and left a lot of mud and standing water on the stages, which do not drain well. We had to carefully choose our spots to push hard and our spots to be conservative. We had a few mistakes, including one on the last stage where we nearly rolled the car about 11 miles from the end of the event. Luckily for us, we escaped without damage."

Ryan Scott was the recipient of the Diane Sargent Memorial Award, which was given to the fastest 2WD co-driver of the event. "I am honored to have been presented the Diane Sargent Memorial Award. Though, I was not fortunate enough to have met her, everything I have learned about her proves she was not afraid of a challenge and that she embodied the 'press on regardless' spirit we should all diligently work to cultivate in our own lives"

The team would like to thank the organizing committee and volunteers who created new procedures to conduct the event under COVID-19 safety protocols.

Chris and Ryan are now busy preparing for Southern Ohio Forest Rally next month, where they hope to extend their class winning streak to 3-in-a-row.

Chris would like to thank the following:

Adam Brock of 9HIO Motorsports
David Morrisette of Platto Motorports
Angry Sheep Motorsports
A1CVTech
RacersEdge411
Paul Eddleston of Team Illuminata Motorsports
Motodecals.com

RallyCast Episode 82 - Jamie Beliveau of Beliveau Boys Racing

In this episode we welcomed Jamie Beliveau of Beliveau Boys Racing where the whole family seems to be involved. Originally growing up in the Northeast, Jamie is looking to see if he can organize rally events closer to his new home of North Carolina where the sport is notably absent. Growing up running TSDs, driving, co-driving, and even running rally moto, this kid's got the energy and drive to keep on rallying no matter the time or place.

You can follow Jamie and Beliveau Boys Racing at the following links:

YouTube

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