03 Nov ARA Heads to the Southwest for Tri-State Regional Rally

Article originally created for American Rally Association here.

Mesquite, NV (November 3, 2017)

Tri-State Rally, the first-ever stand alone regional American Rally Association, is set to kick off tonight in the region surrounding Mesquite, NV. ARA’s first visit to the Southwest United States, Tri-State will challenge competitors with nearly 100 miles of high-desert roads over 11 stages and multiple states.

Headquartered in the border town of Mesquite, NV, Tri-State Rally sees stage roads in Nevada and Utah, with additional transits through Arizona. Freshly graded by the local authority, the road surface is a mix of smooth gravel, loose red sand, hard packed dirt. The fresh gravel is sharp and melon-sized rocks line the sides of the road, both conditions make the chance of punctures high.

Tri-State Rally’s stage roads are a mix of tight, technical, and sweeping corners with constant elevation changes. The roads are tricky to navigate, with sudden mid-corner camber changes and small exposures throughout the weekend. Saturday sees two fast tarmac stages to shake up the weekend.

The weekend weather report looks clear and temperatures in the area are fluctuating between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The arid area creates a famously dusty environment, but steady winds are making sure it doesn’t hang for long.

“Roads look really fantastic,” said Sam Albert, “There’s lots of sections where you can carry a lot of speed, but then there are major pace changes where it’s really technical with good exposure; you have a lot to risk if you try to carry that same sort of pace. You gotta be on your game as soon as you get in those sections and be prepared to change your own pace and then adapt to the conditions that are out there. The roads look really grippy, we’ll definitely be able to put some power down tonight and tomorrow, but we have to keep in mind the end-game of finishing the rally at the same time. It should be fun.”

Last year’s winning team, O.D.D. Racing is here with the Fiesta to make it two in a row. But last year’s winning driver, Cameron Steely, is sitting this one out due to a recent surgery. In his place is Ed McNelly, who competed here last year in a different car. Preston Osborn is be in his usual spot in the co-driver seat.

American Rally Association 2WD Champion Rhianon Gelsomino is here co-driving with Scott Crouch in a 2004 Subaru WRX. A family affair, her husband and accomplished co-driver Alex Gelsomino is also here, co-driving the 2010 Scion XD driven by Eliza Coleman.

DirtFish drivers Sam Albert and Michelle Miller are here with their 2004 Subaru STi. The two rally instructors competed together at Ojibwe Forests Rally in August and, most recently, finished second at Doo Wop Rally.

Alejandro Perusina and Andres Bautista return to ARA regional competition. Last time the pair ran with us they won the NAO4WD class in the John Nagel Rally at Olympus.

Also here are Fred Hatch and Alex Grabow in the local favorite car, the Streetwise 2000. The 1982 Toyota Corolla is famous in the local rally scene as long time rental vehicle. Repainted, repaired, and driven by a huge group of people, this car is as famous as any driver.

ARA will be live-streaming when we can throughout the Tri-State weekend, check in on our Facebook page for updates and announcements on times. Live timing for the event is provided on RallyData.

Photo Credit: James Stanley (Top); Matt Kalish (1)

About American Rally Association (ARA)

We are a member driven organization dedicated to the sport of stage rally by providing a transparent and inclusive sanctioning body. A 501 (c)(3) non-profit, ARA is lead by elected and appointed board members who deliver a framework for safety, competition, promotion, and educational forums for all aspects of the sport. The common goal of our members, volunteers, and organization is a thriving stage rally program in America.