It was just the way he dropped it into conversation, so casual. Alan Perry is the master of understatement.
Unless you’re talking about his mode of transport in and around Shelton on the weekend of the Olympus Rally. His stunning Martini-liveried Lancia Delta HF was one of the highlights of an awesome week in Washington.
Alan and I were catching up, chatting about his wheels and what he was up to across the rally weekend, when he dropped the line: “I’ve got the roadbooks and maps from the 1987 event in the car, if you want to have a look?”
A look turned to a loan and that’s how I spent much of Friday evening, poring over this precious cartography. I love maps, always have done. And the opportunity to compare what went on close to 40 years ago with what was going on at round three of the ARA National Championship presented by Kubota was too good to miss.
It was fascinating to see how far west of Tacoma the event went, how far south, that visit to Seattle, there was intrigue everywhere. And there’s more to come. I’m not going to spoil the surprise, but Alan has sent me more, so much more on email, and we’re going to be rolling that out ahead of a special anniversary Olympus next season.
And Alan, you’re not getting away so easy next year. We will be sitting down and creating content about you, your maps and your fabulous Delta.
The Olympus Rally is always an event where you get to feel the full force of Team DirtFish and last week was no exception.
Arriving a few days ahead of the journey south to Shelton, the sense of anticipation saved for this week every year was everywhere. It was in the shop, where Taig Miller and Zane Jackson were working away on a Subaru specially liveried to match their 50-50 shaved faces. It was out on course, where Sean Edwards and Kendra Miller were gently testing the legendary Volvo 242 Turbo in the hope it could be persuaded to the end of the event (sadly, despite the work of two of the nicest and most diligent folk around, it couldn’t).
And, of course, it was across the property, with the arrival of DirtFish Women in Motorsport Drivers Aoife Raftery and Michele Abbate. Only Aoife would be driving, but Michele was in town to offer support and to learn more stage craft as she plots a jump across from the circuit side later this year.
With Krista Skucas alongside, Aoife became one of the talking points of American rallying’s main event. A podium third on her ARA debut and first time in an all-wheel drive car was something very special. And it wasn’t just us she impressed, Subaru stars Travis Pastrana and Brandon Semenuk were both quick to praise the efforts and end result from the 24-year-old.
It’s impossible to head deeper into this story without recognizing the vision of DirtFish WiM coordinator Josie Rimmer. As has been the case across the last four years, it’s Josie who has led the charge and seeing her WiM driver dream become a reality in such spectacular fashion was an emotional moment.
Chapeau Josie.
Even the sun came out on Saturday and stayed until Sunday. That kind of worked for me. Fortunately, it wasn’t too warm for the jumper, but I remain very much a fan of a wet Olympus – it takes me back to Juha Kankkunen and Markku Alén in one of the most iconic, era-ending battles in the all-too-short history of Group B.
As I mentioned, 1986 is being parked for a while. But don’t worry, we’ll be back there soon enough.
Lexus crew Colton Edwards and Jack Ramie flew the DirtFish flag brilliantly with second in Regional L2WD on their first ever rally, while fellow instructor Michael Honn also finished well on a welcome rallying return in his recently built Subaru.
Missing from the finish was Michelle Miller. Her return to ARA action alongside Richo Healey was cut short by teething troubles on a Lexus being elevated from Limited to Open class two-wheel drive competition. America’s reigning L2WD champions were out from early on Saturday, leaving them with little to do but look to the skies and await their turn to jump out of a plane high above service at Sanderson Airfield on Monday.
Having spent a good portion of my time on airfield-located service parks, from Hagfors in the north to Raglan in the south, they can be fairly desolate places. Not Sanderson. Not last weekend. Every time one of the DirtFish cars came in, the place was bouncing with Kelley Clausen-Walters leading an awesome crew including Ryan Skinner, Micah Wesson, Trevor Dixon, Josh Sommer, Vanya Michaels and, sadly, for one day only, our owner Steve Rimmer.
Steve’s passion for the sport is on another level. He’s interested in every car, every crew and every aspect of rallying on every level. And one day the stars will align and we will actually get out to watch a stage together.
Having spent the larger part of my career working on a magazine with a rally department of, well, just me really, I can honestly say nothing prepared me for the togetherness and team spirit pervading weekends like that last one.
And talking of days gone by, another highlight of the weekend was seeing an old mate in the shape of Martin Rowe. As well as living a world champion’s best life with his lovely family in Canada, he’s also working as the ARA’s safety delegate on selected rounds.
In the blink of an eye, close to three decades slipped away in a smile as stories came flooding back.
And the really good news? We weren’t the only ones loving the weekend. Washington rally watchers came out by the thousand. Driving into the spectator point on the Deckerville 43 stage on Saturday morning was unbelievable, cars parked for a mile and a half as fans poured into the woods to watch an exceptional 85-car field go by.
Evans stepped back in time via Alan Perry's maps from the 1987 Olympus Rally. Thanks Alan!
A sense of change is in the air above American rallying right now. With a fresh promoter vision from RallyForward taking effect, the world is waking up to what’s on offer Stateside and they’re encouraged by what they’re seeing.
The Olympus Rally presented by DirtFish never fails to deliver. It’s an iconic name living up to the legend.
The week started with an epic night on a different sort of stage as Sam Fender followed in the footsteps of Washington royalty Pearl Jam and Nirvana to light up the Paramount Theatre. And ended watching more beer being sprayed over a different sort of podium.
Class week.
