Rallying is our lifeblood here at DirtFish.
We live it, we breathe it, we teach it. But that’s not all – we take it to the woods, too.
This week’s DirtFish Olympus Rally, a round of the American Rally Association National and West Regional championships, is the proof.
From drivers, co-drivers, crew and media, the DirtFish presence at our local round is going to be outstanding. And even if you’re not in Shelton, Washington, you’ll be able to keep tabs on it all from the comfort of your home thanks to DirtFish Live Center.
Here are the DirtFish employees to watch out for, and what they’ll each be doing:
Nate Tennis
If there are two things DirtFish’s chief instructor loves, it’s rallying and Volvos.
Celebrating 25 years of his rally career, this weekend he’ll get to indulge in both, steering a Volvo 940 Turbo in the Regional Rally with co-driver Alexander Jardevall.
Although it’s been a bit of a mission to make the start, Nate’s now ready and itching to hit the stages again.
Jason Cochell
Jason is one of our newest additions to the instructing team, but he doesn’t feel so new – largely because the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX he’ll be driving once called DirtFish home.
Jason and the legacy DirtFish school car will take to the forest with Chale Salad in the co-driver’s seat for what will be his 10th rally start but first on Olympus.
Romain Beaulieu
Making his rally driving debut on this event last year, DirtFish photographer Romain Beaulieu is back for another crack in his E36 BMW.
Unfortunately, he retired from the rally after sliding into a bush, but with Noah Benesch on the notes they’re ones to root for in the Open 2WD class.
Sean Edwards & Kendra Miller
One of two all-DirtFish crews, Sean Edwards and Kendra Miller are stepping into the unknown this week.
Driving a gorgeous BMW 2002 (which is actually owned by senior DF instructor, Mitch Williams), instructor Sean is starting his first ever rally alongside fellow instructor Kendra who made her debut as a co-driver last year.
But the duo are already signed up for next month’s Oregon Trail Super Regional too, so this will be no one-off!
Josie Rimmer & Michelle Miller
The second all-DirtFish pairing, DirtFish head of strategy and Women in Motorsport coordinator Josie Rimmer heads into just her second ever stage rally with the uber-experienced senior instructor and co-driver Michelle Miller by her side.
The Subaru BRZ is a familiar platform as one of the cars we use at the School, and Josie made her debut in one last year. But their ride for Olympus is supercharged, so will be a whole new beast to conquer.
Michelle brings bags of experience to the table though, having competed non-stop and with massive success in the US and Canada since her debut in 2015.
Ryan Skinner will also be working as tech for Josie and Michelle, essentially making this an all DirtFish team!
Eric Schofhauser
This one is special, as our instructor Eric Schofhauser steps in to co-drive for Neil Dana who’s been a student with us, and is now taking on his first rally!
There’s nothing better for us than nurturing talents and seeing them progress into actual competition, and it’s testament to Eric’s abilities that Neil wanted him to call the notes on Olympus.
They’ll compete in a Subaru BRZ.
Sam Albert
If you don’t see Sam Albert this weekend, you’ll certainly hear him.
Debuting his Ferrari-engined Subaru, there’s a lot of attention on the DirtFish instructor who could be in for a big result if all runs smoothly.
He’ll be guided, as always, by his partner and DirtFish family member Krista Skucas.
