"Jake" (subyfreak)
03/15/2015 at 16:40 • Filed to: Rally, Dirtfish, School, Subaru, Racing, Jalopnik, Black Flag, Oppositelock, Washington, Group B
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"Jake" (subyfreak)
03/15/2015 at 16:40 • Filed to: Rally, Dirtfish, School, Subaru, Racing, Jalopnik, Black Flag, Oppositelock, Washington, Group B | 12
| 12 |
We're Jalops, we sit on our computer, drool over videos of Group B rally cars, on a whim Google !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , get discouraged because we'd have to mortgage our lives to afford one, and walk outside to play Stig Blomqvist in our daily driver.
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Well, there's an answer to this longing for rally stardom, and its name is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Nestled in beautiful Snoqualmie, Washington, about 45 minutes outside of Seattle, Dirtfish abides in an old Weyerhaeuser saw mill along the Snoqualmie River. As you get closer, you notice the surreal ruins of a once great empire, which is now home to an empire of another breed.
You walk into the office to be greeted by a beautiful collection of rally legends. A Ford RS200 Evolution, Colin McRae's Focus WRC, Richard Burns' 22B WRC, and an Escort, one of only two I've seen in the US. It shouldn't even be legal to have this much automotive greatness in one place, but there the cars sit, begging you to explore them and making you even more excited for what's yet to come.
Day One begins with a very quick introduction to rally, with an emphasis on throwing out everything you've previously learned about racing. Then it's out to the cars to learn basic control and become comfortable with the rally prepped STIs, some of which are hatches, and others which are Hawkeyes (I fell in love with #74, and I got to drive a lot of them, but more on that later).
After breaking for lunch, you head out to The Boneyard, which is the first real taste of rally that you'll get. If you've never ridden in a rally car before, you're in for a treat, as all of the instructors are incredible drivers, and sure know how to give you a good time on their demo runs. By the time it's your turn to make your first run into The Boneyard, I can guarantee that your palms will be far too sweaty to sufficiently hold the wheel. You'll leave Day One craving more, just don't hoon it too hard on the way back to the hotel, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , as it's absolutely gorgeous, clean, has delicious breakfasts, and is just 5 minutes from Dirtfish.
Day Two begins, and you'll be reunited with your compadres for more bliss. You'll start by learning and perfecting your pendulum turns, or as we all know it the Scandinavian Flick . After the flick, you'll head to the skidpad to learn handbrake turns, so it's basically a morning of hooning. Then comes The Link, probably the most fun I've had in a car at that given time, and I've experienced a lot more than your average 18 year-old, to say the least. High speeds, surface changes, and linked corners all come together to challenge you and really just allow you to have a blast in the car.
Day Three, time to show off everything you've been working towards. You'll run on all new roads today, many of which are through the woods, giving you that true rally feel, I got even more of a "rally experience" when I managed to snap a rear control arm, yet I pressed on regardless . Once you get going, you'll be amazed at how far you've come, and there's still miles of improvement to come throughout the day. You'll finish off running on stage notes, and working to perfect every corner. The amount of enjoyment you receive from a good run is unparalleled to anything I've ever felt.
The staff, is absolutely wonderful. Throughout the program you'll change instructors and get a chance to interact with everyone. They're all full of knowledge, incredible drivers, and the type of people you want to spend every day with. It's fantastic being able to connect with everyone on a personal level, and the relationships you develop with them will last, and they'll remember you the next time you come in for a class. And yes, you'll go back. You can't experience that just once, you'll be itching for more. You'll never want to leave.
Oh, and to answer your question, yes those plate frames and stickers will look great on your car. Rally on!
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Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
> Jake
03/15/2015 at 16:56 |
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Can I bring a Charger?
Alex from Toronto
> Jake
03/15/2015 at 16:57 |
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Added this to my bucket list
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Jake
> Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
03/15/2015 at 16:57 |
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Only if you promise to keep it sideways, even in the straights.
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Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
> Jake
03/15/2015 at 16:59 |
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Consider it done.
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> Jake
03/15/2015 at 17:11 |
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It's also a great place if you're a "Twin Peaks" fan, because the main building is the Sheriff's office and the grounds are the old Mill. If only I wasn't broke, and had the money and a second vehicle already.
Spaceball-Two
> Jake
03/15/2015 at 17:16 |
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I'm hoping my wife got the hint that I want the two day class for my 35th birthday. Plus it's close to home!
Desu-San-Desu
> Jake
03/15/2015 at 17:22 |
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We're actually leaning more towards Team O'Neil. It's closer and provides you with a competition license at the end of it.
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Jake
> Desu-San-Desu
03/15/2015 at 17:25 |
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I'm from NY. I thought about O'Neil, but the 3 day at dirtfish gives the same 3 coefficient points as O'Neil.
BrtStlnd
> Jake
03/15/2015 at 18:57 |
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Did the 3 day course 2 years ago. We stayed at the Salish Lodge too...gorgeous.
Jelly
> Jake
03/16/2015 at 12:37 |
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Such a great article! I love your line "As you get closer, you notice the surreal ruins of a once great empire, which is now home to an empire of another breed."
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Jake
> Jelly
03/16/2015 at 14:26 |
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Thank you! Now I know it wasn't written in vain!
MosquitoXR13
> Jake
04/25/2015 at 07:51 |
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Hngngnggghhhggghghghgh