18 May Olympus Rally: How to Follow

Article originally written for American Rally Association website here.

Shelton, Washington (May 18, 2018)

The American Rally Association returns to the dense forests outside of Seattle this weekend for Round 2 of the ARA National Championship Series, Olympus Rally. The historic event has been the main home for stage rally in Washington state since 1973 and is a favorite among drivers and fans alike. Known internationally for its long and challenging stage roads, Olympus attracts drivers and fans from all around the globe.

It’s a true test of driver endurance, but it won’t be for the fans at home. For 2018, ARA is giving you even more ways to follow the rally action. Here are the best ways to follow Olympus Rally:

In Person

Live near Shelton? Want to make a weekend trip from Seattle? Come and see all of the awesome stage rally action in person. Olympus Rally is one of the easiest to spectate rallies around.

Starting from Parc Expose in front of the train in downtown Shelton, fans can travel to the always challenging Wildcat Stage and see drivers take on the famously tight and twisty stage. From there, head to the Simpson Sorting Yard for the always fun Super Special Stage Presented by DirtFish. Come out and cheer on the competitors and stop by the DirtFish booth for free hot dogs and more. DirtFish will also be taking donations for their four chosen local charities.

For Sunday, come down to Parc Expose at the Ridge Motorsports Club before heading out to the famous Nahwatzel stage. The second running of this stage will be the final of the rally, so be sure to cheer on your favorite drivers as they cross the line. A special bonus, Parc Fermé and the podium champagne spray will take place at the spectator location! So be sure to stick around and celebrate the winners.

So what do you need to spectate Olympus Rally? Start with the official Spectator Guide, it has everything you need to follow the rally. Download it here.

Livestreams

What if you can’t make it out? We’ve got you covered there too.

ARA will be hosting several livestreams throughout the weekend on our Facebook page. Through Facebook Live, we follow the rally just as a spectator would, moving between stage-side action and breaking news in the pits. We keep you updated with everything Olympus Rally as it happens, straight from the driver’s mouths.

Live Timing and the ARA Rally App

Facebook live pairs well with ARA live rally maps and stage times. Head over to the ARA live page to keep up with competitor locations and stage times during the competition weekend. Follow your favorite drivers on the map and see how well they’re doing. For the detail minded, RallyData provides live text, giving quick up to the minute updates on the event.

You can also take that information with you on the go with the ARA Rally app for iOS and Android devices. Have cell reception on stage? The app is a great resource for you too! See who’s coming up the road next and then check in on stage times from the heart of the rally action.

Live timing and scoring is available here, and find the ARA Rally app in the App Store or on Google Play.

Social Media

Keep up on all of the #OlympusRally news by following the American Rally Association and Olympus Rally on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. There you’ll find photos, videos, updates, and quotes on drivers and teams throughout the rally weekend. You can also follow the rally using the event’s official hashtags, #ARARally and #OlympusRally2018.

You can also follow rally teams and directly as they challenge the Olympic forests. Subaru Rally Team USA, DirtFish, Rocket Rally Racing, McKenna Motorsport, Seehorn Rally Team, Nameless Performance, and Arclight Fab are all competing at Olympus Rally and will be sharing posts throughout the weekend. Also be sure to follow drivers and co-drivers such as David Higgins, Craig Drew, Patrik Sandell, Brandon Semenuk, Aaron Kaufman, Rhianon Gelsomino, Claudia Barbera-Pullen, Sam Albert, and Michelle Miller.

About American Rally Association

A member-driven organization dedicated to the sport of Stage Rally, the American Rally Association provides a transparent, inclusive, and growing sanctioning body to competitors throughout America. A 501 (c)(3) non-profit and wholly owned subsidiary of the United States Auto Club (USAC), ARA is led by seasoned Stage Rally professionals who work hand in hand with an experienced Board of Directors to deliver a framework for safety, competition, promotion, and education for all aspects of the sport. The common goal of our members, volunteers, and organization is a thriving Stage Rally program in America.