Happy Thanksgiving!
It’s holiday season in America and between preparing the pumpkin pie and putting the turkey in the oven, I thought it was a good time to reflect on 2022.
I want to say a big thank you to everybody at DirtFish Rally School. The global pandemic has reshaped the world and the way we live our lives, but since 2020 the team here has reacted brilliantly to these unique challenges.
DirtFish is emerging from the last two and a half years more efficient and even more focused on delivering the world’s best Rally School experience. I’m humbled on a daily basis by the level of expertise, tenacity and sheer professionalism of every member of staff who works here, year-around in Snoqualmie.
So far this year, we’ve taught more than 3000 clients to drive sideways and so many of them come back to build on those skills time after time. That makes me very proud of the team here at the School.
It’s the same story on the media side: DirtFish.com continues to be the perfect destination for all your off-road reading, listening and watching.
This season has had all the ingredients for a great story.
As we know, this is the 50th season of the World Rally Championship. Congratulations to Kalle Rovanperä and Toyota Gazoo Racing on making this a history-changing golden anniversary.
It’s been a sensational WRC year, starting with Sébastien Loeb’s awesome journey from a Dakar podium to a Monte Carlo Rally win. From then on, the first half of the year was young Kalle’s before Hyundai charged hard with Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville demonstrating the rapid evolution of the i20 N Rally1.
Once again this year, American Rally Association was supported by DirtFish. And what an absolute thriller 2022 turned out to be, with Brandon Semenuk and Travis Pastrana continuing Subaru Motorsports USA’s incredible record of Stateside success.
Lake Superior typified the season with awesome roads, some crazy weather and edge-of-the-seat drama as Ken Block came closer than ever to lifting the title he covets the most. An expanded Hoonigan Racing squad with Lucy and Lia Block (and, of course, our own Michelle Miller co-driving Lucy), along with tremendous competition throughout the field, provided fantastic storylines throughout the year.
Sadly, LSPR was touched by tragedy, with the loss of Al Dantes on the eve of the event. Our thoughts remain with Al’s family and many, many friends across the sport.
And it’s with Al’s spirit in mind that we will continue our work to further the understanding and appreciation of this great sport in America and across the world.
Happy holidays, thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you out on the stages soon.
Rally on.
Steve
