I've had a burning desire to get into auto racing, and I really like rally. Whats the best way to get onto a rally team? Are there any based out of the cities that might need people? I'd like to be a full fledged member, and participate in all the events throughout the season. I have a good amount of mechanical/auto experience and knowledge. Any help or advice is appreciated!
Generally, you'll find that any local rally team will be more than happy to have more help. Assuming you're volunteering, and not looking to get paid, that is Mark Utecht (Mayhem83 on here) has a pretty good team already, but that doesn't mean they couldn't use an additional hand. Jim Cox is also local and probably could use a hand at events. Brent Carlson (stick on here) is his co-driver. John Kimmes just started rallying a GTI that used to be co-driven by Ted Weidman (Gridlocked on here) and probably is starting to look for crew. I can find his contact info. There are a couple of rally support teams locally, SISU and CPD, both of which use some pros, but probably depend on volunteers also. There are others locally, though I'm really not sure how many are currently active. I may have spaced off someone obvious. Also, many times (most of the time?) the smaller teams coming in from out of town for an event like OFR, will be hoping to find someone local to lend a hand. The events themselves are always desperately in need of more volunteers, I've crewed for a couple of teams, but I prefer organizing and working the events.
Wow, thanks for all the info vector. I think I would prefer a team, because i'm more interested in actually racing than I am coordinating events. I am not at all expecting to be paid. I clearly don't have the credentials to ask for that, I just would like racing experience - setting up the car/fixing problems, etc
Another good chance to see/work/drive cars sideways is at the IIRA (International Ice Race Association) events. mayhem83, stick, and flatline from here compete in that series also (and I hope to at least a little this year, did one event last, at least until Flatline broke the car...) http://www.angelfire.com/mn/icerace/ Once I get my garage cleared enough, I'll be looking for some volunteers to come help me pull the engine and transmission out of the SE-R and help me finish up the cage. If that can happen soon enough, I may even get to race my own car at an ice race.
+1 for this. You can get some great experience at ice racing. Last winter, I watched an experienced rally crew pull a radiator and rally fix a broken tube with needle nose vice grips in about 30 min. while still out on the lake, we never missed a race. (o.k. so I was the one that busted it when I drove into a snowbank into the fan to avoid contact, I should've hit the guy. Not sure Brent would've notice another dent in the Shaduster) I was very impressed and learned that you can run an ice racing car without the radiator fan, you just have to keep moving! Changing suspension parts is also a common ice racing occurrenct too. A good time for sure
All the auto-x, rally-x, and ice racing events are easy and affordable ways to get seat time. To get into ameture/pro rally, the kind you see on TV is a whole other ballgame. Most of what you can do is volunteer, but actually driving the cars you will not. Some things may progress in time and opportunities may open up, but kind of like professional sports, very, very few people who want to be "that guy" actually become that guy. Make some time for sports on the casual level, and you'll get a lot of what you want. Volunteer in rally and have fun experiencing that too. Just be realistic and do what you can.
Depending on your qulifications, contact Davenport Racing. We have support available as well to our customers. we are finishing up an 06 sti for someone now. the initial plan is to store here and take care of logistics and services. use contact form on www.davenportracingusa.com . Anyone can check in if they feel that they can contribute. Some events you may need up to 7 days. depending on final contract #s. Doug Davenport www.davenportracingusa.com
