Karting on a slick surface really helps practice weight transfer / power sliding and gets you comfortable looking sideways. Unfortunately, my local track closed.That does look like fun to participate in, or even just to watch. Living in rock-crawling territory, I'd need to figure out where I could practice so that I could build up my skill set before taking part. If I'd entered that event, I probably would have been at the bottom of the leader board.
Some of the coolest photos I've ever seen of the Bronco!! Looks like a blast!!Go do it!
This was at an event at Dirtfish hosted by the NWRallyAssociation Northwest Rally Association
Three of us Broncos invaded and had a great time. Lots of people came up to us amazed at how well these things dance around!
Thanks to @ezapar 2 for encouraging me to sign up!
The Dirtfish courses are well maintained with their on-side graders (or whatever they are called) regularly (probably daily), so they are much more likely to be flat - I don't remember any significant potholes. To do this, they use some really abrasive gravel, which kills tires, gets into brake components, but likely spares the suspension somewhat.How rough was the course? The last rallycross that I went to was held in a farmer’s field that was full of holes and ruts, was NOT fun. I had to hold back to keep from really hurting my M3, still blasted the rear shocks up through the mounts, separated the front upper strut mounts, and bent my skid plate (3/16” aluminum). A local guy back 20 years ago had put together a nice course on his property, kept it in very nice shape, challenging but not a car-breaker, did well in my Volvo 242 rally car. I’m not sure if I’d take my Bronco out. I was playing around with some left-foot braking my first winter with it and got a warning light, it apparently didn’t like that I was trying to keep the boost up while also being on the brakes…
Love the old Volvo! The courses were on the Dirtfish facility which has a network of gravel roads and practice areas. These had a solid base so, while some ruts and bumps would develop, it wasn't very hard on the suspension.How rough was the course? The last rallycross that I went to was held in a farmer’s field that was full of holes and ruts, was NOT fun. I had to hold back to keep from really hurting my M3, still blasted the rear shocks up through the mounts, separated the front upper strut mounts, and bent my skid plate (3/16” aluminum). A local guy back 20 years ago had put together a nice course on his property, kept it in very nice shape, challenging but not a car-breaker, did well in my Volvo 242 rally car. I’m not sure if I’d take my Bronco out. I was playing around with some left-foot braking my first winter with it and got a warning light, it apparently didn’t like that I was trying to keep the boost up while also being on the brakes…
I know! It was almost worth it for the photos alone
Yup - they know how to keep the surface intact. My tires show no wear from the event and I don't think it was any harder on them than the gravel forestry roads we regularly drive on for 10's of miles at a time (at 30+mph). I assume the gravel tires that get 'killed' are designed to be soft for grip purposes and their short life is a 'feature'. I run slicks on my race car and their lifespan is measured in heat-cycles, so they are done in a matter of hours.
So cool! I really need to do the Dirtfish school- It's been on my bucket list for far too long! Sounds like you really got your money's worth
It was totally worth it. Now I understand the expense (especially going through a set of tires every 3 days). But the facility, as you know, and instructors and vehicles are great. You get a lot of seat time. Maybe 1hr total of classroom. And the rest is in the field driving or watching. You spend about 15 minutes between each driving round watching the other students. And I needed that 15 minutes to collect my thoughts and think through how to do the next laps. It’s mentally taxing. But so much fun! Do it!!
