Recognizing the importance of a building year
17
Mar/120
Mar/120
**October 2007. Rallycross Nationals, Hastings, NE. A woman with a 2006 Subaru STI and used snow tires purchased from a guy off the Nebraska-Subaru forum, completely stock setup.
If you had told me back in October 2007 that I would one day be able to run a full stage rally in an open car that I would build with just some hobbiest friends, I would tell you “You are crazy, there is no way I could afford it.”
**November 2008. Attended Team Oneil Rally School thanks to the SCCA Rallycross Program.
If asked me after attending the Rally school if I would one day rally in a full open car, I would say “Yes, but when I have $100k to invest, since that is the number Tim Oneil told me I would have to have to be successful.”
Something happened between November 2008 and July 2010. Drive overcame reason, and I priced out a few things on specialstage.com.. I could afford to rally. I could do it! I don’t know what Tim was smoking.. it doesn’t take $100k to rally.. I can buy a G2 car for under $10k.
**July 2010. Purchased a G2 1992 Nissan Sentra that had been sitting in a barn for 2 years, beat up and tattered. Price… $2500. No seats, no belts, but it did have a terrortrip [terratrip] and a few very basic spares. Unfortunately, it also had a cracked transmission case, some wiring ghosts, but a solid motor.
November 2010. Nocona Rally Stomp. My first Rally America event. 2nd Place overall. Not bad. Event was a cross between Rally and Rallycross. Good jumping off spot.
Here is where it gets interesting. So now I have a false sense of confidence that this $2500 car will make it. I have so much to learn.
In-Car Video – Christy Carlson – 100 Acre Wood
29
Feb/120
Feb/120
In her first-ever gravel event in Bender (2002 WRX), Christy Carlson demonstrates her ability to adapt to an open car in a very quick fashion, driving it hard even after a broken axle threatened to take her out of the race completely.
Continued Improvement for Carlson at 100AW
29
Feb/120
Feb/120
Once again, Christy shows that the women of DirtyGirlsRally are the fastest women in Rally America, with her strong finish at the 100 Acre Wood Rally. Finishing the second day in 9th overall, and 4th in Open, she continued to improve in her first gravel event in the 2002 WRX despite several hardships, including crew changes and a broken axle. “It was difficult having just one crew member between the rally days. Chris [Gervais], Adam [Kneipp] and I worked tirelessly to tear-down the vehicle and check over everything in preparation for day two. I learned a tremendous amount about the car and about myself.”
Christy Carlson sets eyes on Honey Jar at 100 Acre Wood Rally
10
Feb/120
Feb/120
Christy Carlson & co-driver Adam Kneipp are set to drive the 2002 Subaru WRX again at the 100 Acre Wood Rally, Salem, Missouri February 24th and 25th 2012. The roads on the 100 Acre Wood Rally are known as some of the best roads in the nation for rallying. Fast, tight, twisty, and dry, this course is set up to test even the best driver’s skills. However, the ever changing Missouri weather in February can lead to rain, sleet, hail or even snow which can bring a dangerous and exciting element to the race. No matter what the weather though, the scenic splendor in Salem makes this rally one of the best for spectators, so make sure to bring your camera.
Sno*Drift 2012 – Christy Carlson
31
Jan/120
Jan/120
Christy Carlson, a newcomer to Rally America, had her first national-level rally finish with strong results in her first time driving an snow and ice event. This was the first Rally America event in her newly-built 2002 Subaru WRX. Christy started out in 58th position (out of 64 competitors), with Adam Kneipp arguing for a higher starting position. “Our speed factor was influenced by unfortunate events from 100 Acre Wood Rally last year in the 1992 Nissan Sentra, putting us at the back of the pack, whereas I know I am a better driver than that. We knew we had to finish and improve our starting position and prove to the field that we are competitors in this sport. Prove that we did. I am pleased with our results and a finish with such treacherous conditions. We had to be very conservative to finish so that we could come back strong for 100 Acre Wood.”
Ready to Sno*Drift!
24
Jan/120
Jan/120
The car and truck are finally packed, and we are getting ready to head out tonight on the road to Michigan for the 2012 Sno*Drift rally. Check out a first glimpse of the car below, and wish us luck as we travel over 15 hours to our rally destination.
(Finally!) Ready to Rally
9
Dec/110
Dec/110
Getting ready to pick up Bender. Since Pikes Peak in June, Bender has been sitting, without a heart. Rod #3 went clear through the EJ20 block after overheating, even cracked the manifold when it happened. [Ka-Boom!]
Pat Lipsinic, a good friend, lead technical crew member and small-aircraft engine mechanic, has put together an incredible machine. Eagle Rods and Wiseco Pistons, Sentrab Oil Cooler, EJ257 shortblock w/ new EJ20 Heads, 850cc injectors from Deatchwerks and a new ball-bearing VF30 turbo. Its come a long way from the poor 144k mile EJ20 block that we tried to campaign up Pikes.
Take a look at some of the photos posted up on the facebook galleries. Its been a long build process, but you can’t rush something this good.
I <3 our crew.
Zero to Hero in 60k miles
26
Nov/110
Nov/110
I believe that a car has the power to change your life.
Everyone has that one item in their life that changes them. For some, its becoming a parent. Or perhaps its a certificate on the wall signifying the work done in college. For me, its a car.
The STI recently crossed over to 60k miles, and in that time period I can tell you specific moments in my life from the milage on the STI. The first rallycross in the car was done at 400 miles. My first autox in it was at 550 miles. Its been loved, beat on, slept-in, and all around appreciated more than anything else I’ve owned.
The STI has brought me tremendous joy. I still love the feel of the steering wheel, and the red glow of the dash with the symbolic pink STI insignia in the center. The sound of the Tanabe exhaust & the whoosh of the turbo. The engine is still going strong, and the transmission has not given me any issues, it still shifts like butter with the short-throw and Motul 300 in its guts. Sure, the noise of the wind coming off the mirrors is a little defening, as Subaru didn’t change the shape of the mirrors for better wind deflection till the 2008 model. And yes, the car is coming up on 6 years old already and I still love it like its new.
Like age-spots and wrinkles, cone-marks have worn down the sideskirts and front bumper’s paint, leaving tattered black marks that no amount of scrubbing will remove. The seats show wear of throwing wheels into the back over and over again for travel as far as Texas for Solo events. And yes, the carpet on the floor needs to be replaced as I’ve worn a small hole on the bottom from my foot, as I didn’t like having the floormat in the way while driving.
A vinyl of Bowser from the Nintendo Super Mario series sits in eternal fire-ball throwing position on the hood-scoop; a symbol of gamer geekiness from which my car draws its name. The old Tire Rack vinyl permanently adheres to the windshield. And countless tech stickers stacked on top of each other, my nationals sticker from 2011 still present, and makes me smile each time I get into the car.
But before this car, I was just a normal girl, playing video games and dreaming of doing something more. An adrenaline junkie with no way to get a fix. Till the STI came along and changed everything.
You’ve done good Bowser. You’ve taken me from zero to hero in 60k miles. What a ride!