We had the pleasure of networking with My Life at Speed over the recent RallyCar events in the Pacific Northwest, they seem to show up at anything involving speed. You can find their post on how this video came about on their website. We look forward to working with them in the future and seeing them at upcoming events such as Formula Drift, Xtreme Drift Circuit, and possibly the Idaho Rally.

Rally racing is an extreme sport with many obstacles ranging from mechanical failure, driver mistakes, weather conditions, stage conditions, all the way to intoxicated spectators. One thing that really hit home after the Olympus Rally was realizing how close knit the community surrounding it is; the drivers, their families, the communities where these events take place, the fans who drive for hundreds of miles. The drivers who compete come from all over the United States, and Canada with one thing in common; to compete against the conditions for the best time. With this determination and adrenaline we can sometimes forget about the danger involved. The Olympus Rally takes place on the Washington coast in the hills, mountains and valleys that line it. It is such a gorgeous place to experience. However, these roads are filled with large gravel and rock, mud, and stumps, and even creeks and are extremely treacherous. During the event on Smith Creek Road (Stage 6), Matthew Marker “#65″ of Elk Rapids, MI and his co-driver went off the course. Matthew was taken from the rally community during that stage. This is the first fatality in rally in the United States since 2003 when a driver and co-driver died. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Matthew’s family and friends and those who were close to him. NWTuner.com has made a donation to his family and we encourage you to purchase a bracelet and/or vinyl decal in his remembrance. Amanda Skelly is organizing this and you can see the event and contact her through Facebook or via email.

Matthew Marker coming down Smith Creek Road into the sun.

Saturday was a full house at the Parc Expose which was located at the Ocean Shores Convention Center for the Olympus Rally, with over 50 cars entered, drivers and fans gathered. David Higgins and Dave Mirra seemed to be of the most crowded around drivers (Who finished first and fourth overall at the conclusion of the rally at Stage 6).

Stage 6 uphill/downhill was full of 3-4 inch gravel. Leaving the few spectators in these areas ducking for cover after cars sprayed them.

Antoine L’Estage has no fear down the mountain and into the sun.

Fans at the Parc Expose.

Dave and Richard Hintz and their 1999 BMW M3.

12►

The Twin Peaks Global RallyCross event in Snoqualmie, Washington this past Friday saw great attendance on Day 1 despite the thirty percent chance of rain that realistically turned into a day with thirty percent of no precipitation. The rain showers made for slick conditions as the drivers forged through mud that formed in the dirt areas of the course. The part of the course known as “The Link” quickly turned into a slew of cement like mud as the 2WD and 4WD cars struggled through to cross the finish line and complete laps. The 70-foot jump was the centerpiece for fans who showed up as the 4WD cars took their joker laps, sometimes even two cars jumping at once which made for some intense action. Andreas Eriksson took first place for Ford Racing in the 4WD class, beating out Tanner Foust on an action packed last lap where Foust ultimately injured his shoulder putting him out of the race in what is known as “The Boneyard.” The Boneyard is a high speed dirt corner that drivers take after the jump. For the 2WD class Mikael Eriksson won in his Porsche beating out Cody Crane in his Honda CRX by seconds.

Andreas Eriksson jumps his Best Buy Ford Fiesta.

Tanner Foust lands the jump in his Ford Fiesta at Old Mill Adventure Park.

Stephen Verdier takes the corner wide into “The Boneyard.”

Safety official watches the action closely, awaits to alert drivers with yellow caution flags.

Dave Mirra takes the 70-foot jump and loses his back bumper.

The slew of mud the drivers had to navigate through.

Dave Mirra takes the corner in the switch-back by-passing the joker. Earlier in the day he had some back luck going around the jump and rolled his car and landed back on the wheels.

Mirra leaves the course for the Subaru Rally Team to repair the car.

Foust flies through The Boneyard in his Rockstar Ford Fiesta.

Cody Crane catches some air screaming around the jump in his Honda CRX.

Dylan Van Way powers through laps with smoke barreling out of the back.

Marcus Dodd powering through flinging up mud and rocks.

Stay tuned for tomorrow when we post coverage from Day 2 action at Global RallyCross Twin Peaks, you won’t want to miss the photos and commentary.

123►

Happen to stumble across this video, “Roger Clark Motorsport Time Attack PRO Winner 2008″ off of Joshua Cayetano’s Myspace. It happens to be the illest example of “no lift” driving. Out during the time attack, he’s a little squirally on the exits. But that doesn’t stop him from unleashing gods will; as he lays into the throttle.

I’m throwing this up on my blog and NissanPacific.com for motivational purposes to get my ass in gear this year with my new S13.