US Rally wants YOU! So, what does US Rally have to do for you?

"RallyDork" (pelijep)
10/30/2016 at 15:30 • Filed to: Rally, Rally America, Subaru, Mazda, Motorsports, LSPR, USA, Rally Car, Rallycar, Sideways, Dirt, Dirty, AWD, Turbo

Photo Credit: Tara Hurlin

So with the 2016 Rally America championship wrapped up it looks like rally in the ole U.S of A is going to go through some changes next year. The current championship is split between the Rally America of old and the new American Rally Association. For many of the regional teams it will simply be a matter of location and which body can provide the most events within a reasonable distance from home base.

So this leaves us rallyists here in the states with three primary championships and a handful of smaller local championships across the country. All have their own benefits and drawbacks but the real question I have for everyone is what do YOU want from rally in the United States?

It seems that everyone loves to watch rally on YouTube and people appear to be enthusiastic when it comes to buying WRX’s, Evos and Ford RS’s but then events are struggling to find volunteers and people wanting to become involved. Spec Miata and other “budget” race series are doing very well yet for the same budget you could go rallying.

Photo From Ben Newburn

Some people might say “well, there isn’t any competition against Subaru.” Well, sure but if you just look 1 or 2 cars back you’ll find competitors within seconds of each other over two days who are on slim budgets and with an incredible determination to get there, compete, and finish.

So why aren’t more people becoming involved?

What would you guys like to see?

What would get people interested in actually driving out and becoming a part of the sport?

It’s pretty easy and you’d be amazed at how integral and important volunteers and spectators become to the sport.

Let’s say that “hypothetically” someone starts a NEW rally association here in let’s just say it’s generally for rallyists in North America

What would YOU do to make it more appealing.

Would you like to see more manufacturers?

Would you like to see more coverage in general?

Would you like to see nicer shiny expensive cars?

Would you like to see more coverage of Regional entries?

Would you like more spectator areas? Faster sections? Slower sections?

Cheaper costs?

More open class structures?

More rigid classes with an eye towards keeping costs low?

I know there’s a good number of Tri-State people on here. There was a rally this weekend in the Catksills with 42 cars entered. What would make you more interested in taking the weekend to go and get up and close to rally cars?

Congrats. You got to the end. You get a Pastrana slinging gravel in peoples faces.

DISCUSSION (6)

LongbowMkII > RallyDork
10/30/2016 at 16:27

It’s tricky. Locations could be closer to population centers, but I assume proper roads become harder to come by.

Half joking: Reality TV/ internet show?

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > RallyDork
10/30/2016 at 16:29

“well, there isn’t any competition against Subaru.”

Counter point: You can’t afford to run Open class.

MM54 > RallyDork
10/30/2016 at 16:35

#1: Knowing that there is a rally going on

(#2: Having friends to go with and/or build a car with)

AntiSpeed > RallyDork
10/30/2016 at 22:43

How about a Spec Miata rally class? Exactly the same just with a co-driver and dirt tires.

I know very little about rally racing, if I weren’t driving a formula ford I might be interested in trying it out. How does one get into it? Is there like an SCCA for rally?

RallyDork > AntiSpeed
10/31/2016 at 04:32

There are a few sanctioning bodies in the US. It mostly depends on which one suits your region. Rally America (formerly SCCA ProRally... long story), NASA RallySport, and the new American Rally Association. There’re also the California and Southwest series.

As with road racing it’s always better to buy a car that’s been built already for reasons that are $$$.

The Miata has a couple problems 1 being that it is banned outright by Rally America., and 2 I think you’d have some issues with suspension? Could be wrong? not sure.

You don’t see them, which means there’s a reason. Ask me about my Mazda 323. ;)

What I CAN tell you is that, personally, I find the whole thing much more enthralling than road racing. Formula Fords are awesome don’t get me wrong but that first time you keep it pegged even though you’re not sure what’s on the other side of the crest/turn? Let alone when it’s purely on a codrivers note and the next turn is in an opposite direction that you slide the car blindly through the first turn in order to set it up for another turn you only know is there because someone you trust said it was? (that sentence is stupid, i know.) Absolutely nothing like it.

There are a few websites www.specialstage.com and www.rallyanarchy.com with a lot of information. Otherwise, a good source of info is on Facebook. Most Rallyists are pretty pumped on helping others.

Grindintosecond > RallyDork
11/28/2016 at 04:18

I wanted to for the longest time but saw the closest rally was 800 mi. away. 1600 round trip in haulin gas, etc, and a cheap program became not even affordable. so my group2 fox mustang idea sits in my head.

Now i hear colorado gets a stage rally next year but ill have to see where else closer gets one too before i start threatening my wallet.

Id like promotion. for example, for how many years has the 100 acre wood rally been run in Missouri? a few decades? well i grew up about an hours drive from it and NEVER heard of it at any time until i had moved away. ever.

So, some, oh i dunno, actual promotion? it costs but getting people to pay attention might get a sponsor to absorb some kind of cost and keep things going. i want to build that mustang. i want to cage it and make great noises. i got the plan and everything and do i have to settle for rallycross?

Sorry to sound venty, my tv was stolen.