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Who is DR1665?

I am.

NOTE: This page was originally published in June of 2007, when this was the only site I had.  At that time, I was focusing on my automotive experience and rally aspirations.  Today, DR1665.com is where I try to put my thoughts together aside from my vehicular pursuits.  I’m going to re-do this page very soon, but figure I’ll leave the old stuff up for the time being.

My Galant VR4s have moved off-site to http://tarmac-and-gravel.com and I also run http://gearboxmagazine.com.  If you wanted to visit.

In the rally community, the term “Keyboard Rallyist” refers to someone who is more involved in the sport from behind their computer monitor than from behind the wheel. There is an inherently negative connotation implied by the term, often because those saddled with this label aren’t known for speaking their minds face-to-face or even volunteering to work hand-in-hand with organizers and teams at actual race events to help keep the sport alive and strong. You might be surprised, then, to hear that I consider myself a Keyboard Rallyist.

I don’t get out to as many of the regional rally events each year as I would like, but I do feel that the internet (and social media, specifically) is a great way to share my excitement for what I feel is the pinnacle of motorsport. I also hope that my sharing of this journey might help someone else considering the daunting dream of getting behind the wheel of their own rally car one day. I’ve met so many awesome people in the rally community so far. Everyone is eager to help another “rallyista” achieve their goals. At the same time, in our NASCAR-dominated motorsports culture here in America, rally doesn’t get half the attention it should and tensions can run high. Most of the sponsored cars I’ve seen are sponsored by the car owner’s own company. Sure, they can probably write some of it off, but it’s not the same thing as someone else footing the bill for you to do what you love.

I will wear my self-imposed title of Keyboard Rallyist with pride. Word has to get about this great form of racing somehow. If everyone else is too busy in the shop or on the road between events to make sure rally gets some traffic in this country, then I will make sure I can do so. I can’t get out to all the events and progress on my project is much, much slower than I would like, but the longest stages are the most fun, aren’t they? One day, I hope this site will transition into being an official rally team website, but for now, I’m content to share the journey to that point. I hope you’ll come back and visit from time to time.

Press on, regardless.

DR1665

PS – If you’ve got your own project or rally-related site (team site or otherwise), drop me a line.  Better we should help each other out than all sit here in the dark corners of the internet that left-turn-only yahoos haven’t taken over yet!

Additionally, DR1665 can be found at…

  • Arizona Team 2GNT, Owner/Admin – Regional DSM enthusiast community. Founded in early 2004, az2gnt now has more than 80 members in Arizona. Originally conceived as a resource to local non-turbo DSM owners looking to network, az2gnt now has just as many turbo DSM owners as non.
  • Team 2GNT, Admin – National/Global DSM enthusiast site catering to the second generation, non-turbo (2GNT) DSM owner. Currently approaching 12,000 members, this community features a DSM Wiki designed to house extensive technical articles by and for the DSM community. Member since 2002.
  • GalantVR4.org – User – Online community focused on owners of the USDM GVR4.
  • TAHB (420a.com), Moderator – Private DSM forum for the discussion of advanced technical subjects specific to the Chrysler 420A engine found in 2GNT DSMs, Dodge Avenger/Chrysler Sebring, and 1st generation DOHC Dodge Neons. Member since 2004.
  • DSMtuners, “N/T Wiseman” – Perhaps the largest online DSM community in the world with more than 77,000 members, member of Site Team responsible for ensuring dissemination of quality technical information and general guidance/mentoring of newer members. Member since 2003.
  • California Rally Series, 2007 Press Liaison – Board of Governors position tasked with favorably representing the California Rally Series in the media, predominately through articles published in the Dusty Times newspaper, which is distributed world wide.