[Chwriting]

I've been going to this rally since 2001, back when it was still with the SCCA. It takes place east of Gaylord, MI area, and if you're a fan of rally racing or even just a motorsports fan, it's a good time. It's free to watch, and there aren't many motorsports where you can get up close to the action like this.

Sno*Drift 2013

Would love to meet up with 6Clubbers if anyone is going. Obviously there are a ton of Subies racing, but it's also the only place where I've actually seen a Mazda 323 GTX, and recently some Mazda3s have been running.Catching the Friday night stages usually leads to a big bonfire somewhere in the woods, and Saturday eve at Big Buck in Gaylord after the races can get pretty epic. In between is always an adventure, and aside from the cars racing, you never know what kind of crazy machines you'll see going from stage to stage!

 

[grandaddypurp]

When is this race? This sounds pretty Rad.

 

[grandaddypurp]

.... I just read the link ...
I would go to this but, not in the Mazda.
I'd drive the subie lol

 

[mmceorange]

If I didn't live so far away I would be all over this..

 

[justsomeguy]

I got some roads right near my house like that...... every time it snows I'm on them lol

 

[Chwriting]

Yeah it's pretty much a Subaru convention, but the roads to the spectator stages are still accessible by anything with decent tires. I've seen everything from Porsche 911s on snow tires to a replica of the Coyote from Hardcastle and McCormick, and that's just the spectators. For the last few years there's been a real nice Volvo 242 racing, and last year there was a vintage 1980 Mitsi Lancer Celeste (aka Plymouth Fire Arrow) and it looks like it's racing again this year.

It's getting to the other lesser known areas that makes the trip interesting

Here are a few pics, mostly from 2010. That was definitely the biggest year--Ken Block debuted his new Fiesta and that was also the last year Block and Travis Pastrana were there.

Not a racer, just a spectator who decided to bring his vintage Audi Quattro out in the snow!

More die-hard spectators... they were NOT racing but they wanted to show off their all-trac Celicas...

Another spectator in a 3000GT VR-4 twin turbo:

And the racing is good too... taken last year at one of the Friday spectator stages. I'm surprised they us get this close on the outside of the corner!

One of my favorite shots at a night stage

 

[mmceorange]

Sweet cars and sexy shots!

 

[Chwriting]

Well this just got a bit more exciting. Just announced today, Ken Block will be racing. He hasn't been at Sno-Drift since 2010 and he's unveiling a new livery for his open class Fiesta. Here's hoping he doesn't bust it within the first few stages like he the last time!

 

[Byakuya]

Damn why can't this be closer to home? That looks like a hell of a good time.

 

[mmceorange]

Damn why can't this be closer to home? That looks like a hell of a good time.

Right?

 

[justsomeguy]

I hope to see some coverage on it after.....hint hint

 

[Chwriting]

For NE, there's the Susquehannock Trail Rally in PA at the end of May, and then there's the New England rally in Maine later in July... all part of Rally America's season. And it looks like Block is slated to run the full season. He's not too good on snow--he's never won Sno-Drift but he's quick as hell on gravel. The full schedule is at Rally America's web site: Home | Rally America

I'm getting a new camera tripod this evening and hopefully a new lens hood. I'll have some shots to post

 

[Chwriting]

A few of the better shots... only took about 200 photos this time around.

Block has stolen my look with the full facial hair!

A rare moment when nobody was swarming Block's new Fiesta:

Very rare 1980 Plymouth Fire Arrow (AKA Mitsubishi Lancer imported to U.S. under Chrysler):

R32 Skyline in Northern Michigan? Yup...

 

[Chwriting]

And a few action shots:

Rare 1988 Mazda 323 GTX AWD turbo. They were available in the U.S. but I've only ever seen these at Sno-Drift: