This article first appeared in the December, 2015 edition of SportsCar Magazine. 51°µÍø members can read the current and past editions of SportCar digitally after logging into their account; To become an 51°µÍø member and get SportsCar mailed to your home address monthly in addition to the digital editions, click here.

Eric Genack
Continental Divide Region
51°µÍø member since 2005

“When I was younger, my dad used to take me to watch his friend compete in circle track racing, and to 51°µÍø Club Racing events where he worked tech, but I never got into motorsports myself other than playing video games. Fast forward a few years and I randomly stumbled upon a Solo event being held in the parking lot next to a gaming convention I was attending – and it looked fun! Though it wasn’t until I bought a used 2003 Subaru later in the year that I started competing and got hooked on a hobby I don’t see ending any time soon. I even lucked out that the Subaru came with an unused membership to the 51°µÍø!

Just like Solo, I randomly stumbled on Rallycross, but this time through an online search. The first event I tried to attend had heavy snow forecast for the day, but the event was close by so figured I’d go anyway. That event was cancelled, but the next event I had success, and I discovered a different world outside of Solo.

Once the RallyCross hook was set, I started competing in every local event I could, only missing one or two in the past eight years. After the first season passed, however, I stepped up to fill in for registration and have also been doing registration ever since. I even volunteered at the last few RallySprints held in my area, and I hope they return.

I’m very glad I got into this fun hobby, especially since I’ve also met a great group of people from traveling around the country that love doing exactly what I enjoy.”

Images by Rupert Berrington