THERE IWAS: PEDAL PUSHED THROUGH THE FLOOR, SPRAYING GRAVEL AS I SCREAMED THROUGH A MOUNTAIN SLALOM COURSE IN A FORD FIESTA LIKE A HOLLYWOOD STUNT DRIVER.
I lead a singularly uninteresting life. I drive a white Volvo and own two cats. Like most people, I rarely have the opportunity to feel like a total badass.
So, when Hagerty Classic Cars Executive Editor Jonathan Stein offered me the chance to write a “New Experiences” story, I found myself declining options that seemed too tame.
Jonathan proposed operating giant construction equipment; I countered with a high-thrills flight in a vintage MiG. Jonathan side- stepped that idea, citing “logistics,” but returned with an acceptable alternative: rally school.
I’ve always been a cautious driver, a Sunday driver, even — the type who sets cruise control one mph under on the freeway. Jonathan referred to the whole experience as a “crash course” for me. I found the term off- putting and said as much, because I’m pretty sure the words “driving school” and “crash” shouldn’t be used in the same sentence. Ever.
Still, I’d impulsively agreed to the proposition with only the barest understanding of rallying. After studying up, I found that at its most basic, rally racing is about skill, speed and endurance. Drivers navigate closed portions of public roads and trails in street-legal cars with the help of a co-driver, who uses an electronic odometer and route book to inform the driver of the terrain ahead. Rallies can cover hundreds of miles on every imagin- able road surface and in all weather
conditions, which is why rally drivers are considered some of the most skilled in the world.
I’d be learning from the best. Team O’Neil Rally School and Car Con- trol Center (
teamoneil.com) was founded in 1997 by five-time rally champion Tim O’Neil for students ranging from aspiring champs to those just seeking to become better drivers. Many of the instructors also have competition success under their belts. Students can sign up for a one-day “driving experience,” a five-day intensive course, or any- thing in between.
RALLY 101: INTRO TO THE BASICS Tucked away in the White Moun- tains of New Hampshire, the school features miles of private unpaved roads, as well as a skid pad, slalom course and accident avoidance course.
At 9 a.m. sharp, we gathered in the classroom for our first lesson. Director of Training Chuck Long greeted us and gave us a brief introduction before showing us the “illustrious bright pink helmet,” which he referred to as a negative reinforcement tool; anyone who did something especially idiotic would be forced to wear it.
I secretly vowed that I wouldn’t do anything to merit that neon abomination.
There were 14 students in the class, split into two groups. My group consisted of three pairs: a father and son on vacation; two motor- cycle racers from Ecuador; Miguel Barbery and Robert Ward — who
were set to compete in the 2012 Rally America circuit; and me.
Introductions complete, we were led to a row of seemingly mild-man- nered Ford Fiesta hatchbacks, in the
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First rule of rally school: Keep these Ford Fiestas on the road and out of the ditch, or you may find yourself sporting the neon abomination.
PHOTO: TEAM O’NEIL RALLY SCHOOL
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