don’t cut –
It’s a slice of Scandinavia in the Midwest.
Gregory Leporati –
There’s something special about a winter rally, from the snow-covered forest views to the crisp, chilly winds — and, of course , the colorful cars hurtling past snowbanks at miles per hour. Scandinavian countries have long enjoyed a winter rally tradition, which includes Finland’s inimitable Arctic Lapland Rally
and the long-running (Rally Sweden) . But the USA has also staked its own modest claim to winter rally. Sno Drift, held in Atlanta, Michigan, is the American Rally Association’s first race of the calendar year and starts the season off with a bang, as drivers face freezing rain, icy roads, and even raging bonfires — all while racing in street- legal cars.
“Winter conditions are the great equalizer,” said Mark Rokus, one of this year competitors who chatted with me while proudly showing off his’ Volkswagen GTI during Parc Expose. “There are a lot of cars here with more horsepower than mine,” he said, “but in conditions like these, what matters most is being able to drive it into a corner without scaring yourself to death!”
Unlike European rallies, Sno Drift does not allow studded tires, making for particularly grueling conditions as drivers struggle for grip heading into each turn. “The main reason for this rule is that we run on state roads,” said Alex Berger, who served as chairman of this year Sno Drift. “In the state of Michigan, you need special permissions to do that, and we’re trying to minimize our impact on the community.”
The lack of studs, though, makes for arguably a more compelling race, further leveling the playing field and testing a driver’s true skill . “We’re much more of a driver battle,” said Berger, “and not simply a horsepower battle.”
Champions, amateurs, and Xbox gamers
This year Sno Drift featured cars, with drivers running the gamut from experienced rally racers to first-time entrants. The lack of studded tires adds to the event’s affordability, making it a nice entry point for those interested in picking up the hobby. “All said and done, this car is about six grand,” says Kyle Cooper, standing alongside his’ Golf GTI . A frequent short-course racer, Cooper had been involved as a crew member in previous Sno Drifts, but this was his first time competing.
What was his strategy heading into the first stage? “Drive like an old lady,” he laughed. “Or at least an old lady compared to how you’re used to driving.”
Cooper’s co-driver, Tom Larsen, had even less winter rally experience. “I play (Dirt) on Xbox, “he joked. “I’m actually the replacement for Kyle’s usual co-pilot, who just had a child, so this is my first time in the car. No jitters yet, but I’m super excited.” On the more experienced end, there’s Erin Kelly, who , along with her teammate, TJ Pullen, won the ARA’s East Region Championship in their class. She was eager to put their Subaru Impreza WRX to the test. “Wicked slippy,” she said, describing day one’s conditions. “You either had grip, or then – oh, shoot! – you slipped right off. At one point we pulled a facing the opposite direction and were literally trapped, unable to turn around. “
An adventure — for competitors and fans
Sno Drift has been staged on and off since , often in affiliation with either the Sports Car Club of America or Rally America. This year, though, marked the second consecutive year it was sanctioned by the ARA, and officials estimate that anywhere from 2, (0 to 5,
The act of spectating is an adventure unto itself, especially at Sno Drift, as fans navigate icy, unlit country roads through fog , rain, snow, and darkness. “It’s really wild to be a spectator,” said Rokus, who has loved rally racing since he was a child. “You race to one spot, watch for a bit, then whip out your map and zoom to the next area. It’s a culture that’s particularly big in Europe, but not so much here.”
Indeed, the World Rally Championship boasted last year of attracting more than four million spectators – an average of 827, 11 0 for each event — and has built a rabid fan culture that hasn’t quite caught on in the USA. But American drivers and fans are hopeful that events like Sno Drift are helping to attract a new audience. In particular, the final stage of Sno Drift, (called Bonfire Alley) , is the type of unique experience that could turn anyone into a rally fan.
Held in the late afternoon and early evening, the stage takes place on a residential road where spectators light enormous, billowing bonfires along the track. “No other rally event has anything like it,” said Berger, who previously competed in Sno Drift prior to becoming its commissioner. “Spectators get more adventurous as the night goes on and start launching fireballs as cars pass by. The best way to describe it is that we basically run a rally through a party.”
Kelly understands the spectating experience. In fact, spectating Sno Drift many years ago is what helped push her into competing. “I still remember being on bonfire alley, drinking and throwing snowballs at the cars, and now I’m actually (in the car, “she said, nearly in disbelief. “It’s very surreal.” Growth industry
Things are looking up for the ARA. Its next race, the 823 Acre Wood Rally in Missouri, has already attracted
View the full results of Sno Drift (here) .
Listing image by Gregory Leporati
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