3, 2, 1, Go!

"Tachyon Racing" (tachyonracing)
11/06/2015 at 19:34 • Filed to: None

“Dmitriy hit a tree!” The four most unlikely words to propel someone into the sport of rally racing. Maybe time has eased the fear, maybe it’s because it all turned out okay, or maybe it’s because I’m insane, but that’s exactly how it started. Two summers ago, I accompanied Dmitriy, his rally car, co-driver and crew to Magnum Opus rally in the northern peninsula of our home state of Michigan. It wasn’t the first rally I had been to with them, but it was the one that completely changed my relationship with the sport.

Things started as they usually do. Ryan Thompson of Thompson Racing Fabrication and his amazing crew had everything set up for service, the car was out on stage, and the weather was sunny and pleasant despite the northern Michigan mosquitos that were out in force. I had wandered up to the stands to watch the Super Special and was casually chatting as the cars started to come in. I noticed that the car that had been in front of Dmitriy was in the lineup and there was a pretty big delay before other cars started coming in. After a bit, the car that was behind Dmitriy came in, then the next, and the next. There was no sign of his dark blue Impreza. Then someone came up into the stands and announced, “Dmitriy hit a tree!” My heart sank, my stomach flipped, and I hurried to where the crew was set up. Nobody had any more information. I fretted, and tried to hide how upset I was for what felt like hours while I waited to hear if he was alive, and in how many pieces.

He and his co-driver eventually rolled up in the Ford Raptor sweep truck. Both were ok, albeit slightly bruised. After quick trip to the medic, we got to work on a plan to extract his car from the woods. The car couldn’t roll on its own, so a friendly spectator volunteered to follow us out on the stage and help pull the car on to our trailer. When we arrived at the scene, I wasn’t prepared for how smashed the car was. The whole passenger side looked like it had been shifted back by about a foot and the floor looked like a sine wave. While he had managed not to hurt most of the vital pieces including the engine and the transmission. The frame was too smashed to resurrect. This would be the last event for the car.

We got the car home, Dmitriy disassembled it, and I spent about 6 months not thinking about rally. In January, we went to go spectate Sno*Drift in Atlanta, Michigan, our “home” rally. As soon as we got up there and Dmitriy saw old friends, and all of the rally cars, I knew that there would soon be more rallies in my future.

Nine months after Sno*Drift, Dmitriy has acquired a 2002 WRX shell which will become his next rally car. Using some parts from his last car, he plans to have a new car built and ready to race by Sand Blast rally the first week in March. From incomplete shell to race car in just 23 weeks. Not factoring in holidays, vacations, and other factors, that probably narrow it down to about 16 weeks. If you’re starting to think this man might be insane, you’re not the only one. It’s exactly that overwhelming passion, and love for this sport that has persuaded me to get in the car with him this time around. Yep, despite everything you just read, I have agreed to be his co-driver. Follow along with us as we post about the build, as I learn what it takes to get involved with the sport, and watch as we tackle our [insane] goals.

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Top photo credit: Matt Campbell

Tachyon Racing is comprised of a Michigan- based driver Dmitriy Martynov and co-driver Molly Disend blasting their way through the motorsports scene. Dmitriy is a veteran driver who enjoys rallyX, autoX, and ice racing in addition to dirt biking and motorcycling. His passion and competitive drive lured Molly to join him in both TSD and stage rallies. Stay tuned for updates as we develop our team, build a rally car, and post occasional pictures of our lovable rally dog, Gogi. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (10)

Dusty Ventures > Tachyon Racing
11/06/2015 at 20:53

As it happens, I was co-driving the first car on the scene after Dmitriy’s crash (not including the Beetle, which managed to squirt through the gap).

Shoop > Tachyon Racing
11/07/2015 at 04:16

three

Uh....um... thats 4 words... sorry

RallySideways > Tachyon Racing
11/07/2015 at 10:31

It’s an addiction, glad you decided to get in on the action! Good luck as things progress, keep the shiny side up.

techinsanity2011 > Tachyon Racing
11/07/2015 at 14:39

Tachyon Racing > Shoop
11/08/2015 at 12:38

Fixed, thanks!

Hoccy > Tachyon Racing
11/09/2015 at 11:53

Looking forward to follow this!

Tachyon Racing > Hoccy
11/18/2015 at 07:31

See more on our Facebook page Facebook.com/tachyonmotorsports

JeffFurbs > Dusty Ventures
11/30/2015 at 13:02

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Scares the hell out of me watching people holding on to straps after what happened to James May years ago.

Also, what happens to you for moving the car? I assume you have to eat all that time you spent idle/towing/being-a-strong-man and don’t get it back at the end of the stage.

Dusty Ventures > JeffFurbs
11/30/2015 at 14:47

Actually everyone behind the crash gets the time of the last car through before the crash

JeffFurbs > Dusty Ventures
11/30/2015 at 15:35

Interesting. So it could be a blessing or a curse