Needed Medical Attention After My First Rally Race

**Full Article Based on Provided Transcription**

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### **Introduction: The First-Ever Rally Event**

We are at our very first ever rally event, where I am competing with my brand new WRX STI rally car at Rally Ready in Rally Texas. It’s a beautiful day out here, and while we have been through this process before, this is the first time I am bringing you along for the journey as a first-time competitor. Starting off with tech inspection, we bring our rally car, which is supposedly logbooked and ready to go for the AR in Texas. The team at Rally Ready will check everything and let us know what’s wrong so we can fix it and hopefully have a chance of competing.

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### **Tech Inspection: Learning the Ropes**

Dereck from Rally Ready is running tech inspection, and I already failed the first thing—bringing my logbook as a newb mistake. Luckily, we have a workaround to still run this weekend. Dereck shares that the number one thing most rally cars fail on during tech is little details like not having cotter pins in place. He mentions examples of failures, such as missing cage padding or out-of-date fire extinguishers, and explains how we can avoid these issues. For instance, adding a road triangle for the co-driver to signal if they break down is essential. After failing initially, we manage to fix the issue by scanning and sending over the logbook.

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### **Reconnaissance: Preparing for the Rally**

Next up is reconnaissance (recce), where we drive through the trail before attempting it at high speeds. Typically, professionals take notes on corners and sections, but since I haven’t gone through Rally Ready’s note-taking school, I rely on my co-driver, KJ Miller, who already has notes. We discuss how to handle the rally car in challenging conditions, such as ensuring fender flares are secure with rivets instead of plastic clips. This step is crucial for avoiding potential failures during the actual stages.

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### **Shakedown Laps: Feeling the Car**

After preparing, we move on to shakedown laps on Panhandle, a short course I’ve done plenty of laps on before. KJ joins me for these laps, and while I’m nervous about how the car will perform, it feels incredible from the start. The car handles well, but I realize I need to work on my shifting points and controlling speed through corners. Despite some overdriving in the later sections, the car feels fast and responsive.

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### **Stage 1: Woods Course**

The first stage takes us into the woods, where we face tight and technical sections. My co-driver, KJ, is with me again for this stage. I struggle a bit with hearing the car over the helmet and engine noise, making it hard to gauge speed and gear changes. However, the car feels dialed in, and we manage to keep all body panels attached throughout the stage. While there are some minor issues like lost bumper mounts and a radiator tweak, overall, the car performs well, and I feel confident enough to shave off time in subsequent runs.

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### **Stage 2: Pushing Further**

The second stage is even more challenging, with long straights and high-speed sections that test both the car and driver. Despite losing a bit of control on one jump due to overdriving, the car’s balance and grip help me recover quickly. KJ’s notes prove invaluable as we navigate the complex series of corners and crests. By the end of this stage, I realize my biggest challenge is managing speed through the most technical sections while maintaining consistency.

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### **Reflections on the Day**

After completing all stages, I reflect on how far I’ve come in just one day. The car feels better than expected, even after minor hiccups like losing a few bumper mounts and dealing with radiator tweaks. KJ’s co-driving skills and my growing confidence behind the wheel make me realize that rally racing is something I can continue to grow into. Despite being nervous about the learning curve, the experience has been overwhelmingly positive.

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### **Conclusion: Looking Ahead**

Overall, this was a great way to get my feet wet in rally racing. The car performed exceptionally well, and while there are always areas for improvement, I’m stoked with how everything went. If you’re interested in getting into rally racing, I highly recommend checking out Rally Ready and participating in one of their rally sprints—it’s a fantastic way to experience the thrill without the high barrier to entry of stage rallies.

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This article captures every moment of my first-ever rally event, from the tech inspection struggles to the highs of completing each challenging stage. It’s an unforgettable experience that has left me eager for more adventures in the world of rally racing.