Tier One Driver - Michael Bosch

Conquering the twisted, unforgiving tree lined gravel roads of the Oregon Trail Rally at speeds often above the posted Freeway speeds might seem extreme or downright insane, but Rally Racers like Michael Bosch do it every chance they can. Stage Rally always has some new tricks around the bend... and that's what makes Rally the most challenging form of Motorsports on the Planet. It is a race against the clock more that other competitors. A race against the odds. A mental game of riding the cutting edge of disaster while negotiating unknown roads. NOT for the faint of heart!

Michael started his Rally addiction in 1999 by attending his first Rally Cross event (Oregon Region SCCA) campaigning an $80 Ford Festiva. Mike placed quite well with the little car but within a short time, found that his "need" for Rally had grown beyond the capabilities of the lowly Festiva. He yearned for a bigger, more powerful car, so he purchased and began to prep a monster...

A 72 horse power 1987 Chevy Sprint 1.0 L Turbo 3 Cylinder. More on that later...

Mike started getting involved with Rally by volunteering his time and working at various events. By 2001, Mike was routinely volunteering and was able to work at the Oregon Trail Pro Rally helping to do the Technical Inspections on the Rally Cars. That pushed him over the edge and the Sprint project car was on the books.

In 2003, the car was ready and Mike, accompanied by his co-driver Lara Storke, finally jumped into stage rally. Oregon Trail was their 1st rally and they did well, taking 4th place Production. A very respectable finish for a rookie team not to mention a 3 cylinder car!

Fuel by there successful debut, the pair then tackled the winding roads of the Mt. Hood club rally. Again, in form they were moving up the leader board until the very last stage of the weekend... "It's amazing how a 10 cent wire connector can foul up such a great run" complained Mike as a fuel lead wire vibrated loose from the pump and ended their event literally a few miles from the end.

2004 would certainly be a better year for the pair as they set out once again at the Oregon Trail Pro Rally this time taking 2nd in the Production Class. That raised quite a few eyebrows on how a 3 Cylinder car could compete at that level to which Mike happily replied "I just keep my foot planted and never lift... if I do, I'm done." So THAT'S the secret!!!

Then Hood again. The evil nemesis of Mike and Lara and the little car that could. Stage 3, Day one... on a long uphill climb, the motor let go and in a spray of oil and smoke, it was finished.. They limped the car the rest of the way to the top of the hill but it was done. They did manage to "complete" stage four by getting a good push and basically coasting their way back to service.

The car has been in repair and "secret preparation" for the remainder of the 2004 and beginning of the 2005 season. They plan to "release the monster" again to do battle with their nemesis, the Mt. Hood Club Rally, in October of 2005. You don't want to miss THIS battle. Third time's a charm? We'll see....

Mike and Lara also run the Friday night TSD Rally with Cascade Sports Car Club once a month and run in the local rally cross series with Oregon Rally Group.