Incoherent Ramblings...An Interview With "The Driver"
SMS Rallysport finally had the chance to catch up with driver, Dave Sterling, to ask
him some questions about life, rallying, and what the future holds.
(SMS Rallysport) - Good evening Dave. Thanks for agreeing
to talk with us for a bit and give us some thoughts.
(Dave Sterling) - No prob.
(SR) - We'll start with the obvious question. How did you
get into ralying?
(DS) - (laughs) That's an interesting story. The first time
I ever saw rallying was on ESPN2 at like 3am. I think I had just got home after a night out
and flipped on the TV to see what was on. I was blown away by what I saw. I scrambled to throw
in a tape to tape everything I could. That was the 1998 Lake Superior ProRally. I still
have that tape.
(SR) - Cool, so you saw it on TV and things just went from there?
(DS) - Umm...not exactly.
(SR) - How so?
(DS) - Well, I started to get ivolved with a local chapter of the
SCCA. I did a TSD rally or two and was looking for a prepped car. Unfortunately, this was also
around the time I was headed off to college. My parents weren't having any of that "rally crap".
(SR) - Yikes! So books took a front seat?
(DS) - (laughs) Yeah, for a couple years. Until Stacy and I got
together at the end of my junior year.
(SR) - Yeah, tell us more about her.
(DS) - She and I met my freshman year and became great friends.
She left after freshman year to go on to the University of Minnesota, but we kept in touch
via email and the occasional phone call. The fact is, I thought she was hot from the day I
met her. But the timing was never right.
(SR) - Until your junior year?
(DS) - Yep. She called me out of the blue and wanted to come
and visit. I thought that was kinda strange, but whatever, I wasn't complaining. So we started
dating and had been dating for a few months. We were watching Speedvision...
(SR) - You mean Speed Channel?
(DS) - Whatever. Anyway, some WRC coverage came on and all the
feelings about rallying I had tried to supress for three years came right back. I explained
all about rallying to her and she thought it was cool. So I asked her to come work a TSD rally
with me and she agreed.
(SR) - What rally?
(DS) - It was the 2001 Il Diavolo Rally in Red Wing, MN. At that
rally we met someone who would forever change our rally career.
(SR) - And who might that be?
(DS) - Mark Utecht.
(SR) - Really?
(DS) - Yep. After the event we got to talking and I mentioned
I was interested in Performance Rally. He told Stacy and I that his G5 Omni was for sale and
said he'd send us a flyer. When we received that flyer, I knew we had to have that car.
(SR) - Ok, that's all good. But you were still in college. No
way that would fly with your parents.
(DS) - Yeah, that's what I thought. But Stacy and I sat down and
wrote out a proposal, explaining what we wanted to do and why. We saw it as a great hobby
to do together. I'm so lucky to have her!
(SR) - And it worked?
(DS) - We got a rally car don't we?
(SR) - Umm...yeah.
(DS) - They actually thought the idea was cool and after all the
time we spent on the proposal, I think they had a hard time evening thinking of saying no.
In retrospect, I think they're glad they said yes.
(SR) - Speaking of your parents, how are they?
(DS) - They're cool. In fact, they come to all the events
now. It's a blast. We all have so much fun traveling togehter. It's like a big family
vacation. My mom even drove a service truck for two guys we didn't even know
at the 2003 Ojibwe Forests ProRally. They get real into it.
(SR) - Really?
(DS) - (smiles) Yeah, they're totally into helping everyone
out. I think my mom likes being the "rally mom" to everyone. It works out great and I know
we couldn't do anything without them. They keep our team on the road.
(SR) - That's awesome. You have a sister too, right?
(DS) - Yep. CJ (Chancie) is great. She's so much fun to have
around. She's always happy and she's so into the rally scene. Deep down...I think she wants
to co-drive. Hopefully we can get her into the right seat with someone in the next couple
years.
(SR) - Very cool. So, we have to ask. What's up with the team
mascot?
(DS) - (laughs) Allie? She's our beagle. Although she doesn't
really act like one. She acts more like a human. It's kinda weird sometimes. Like she'll
get up on the couch and watch TV like a person, or she'll sit at the dinner table with us
while we eat. And she's got these penetrating eyes. Sometimes it's like she's looking into
your soul.
(SR) - Whoa...creepy.
(DS) - You know it.
(SR) - She's a good dog though?
(DS) - The best! We're so lucky to have her.
(SR) - Right on. So what are some of your "rally goals"?
(DS) - Well, I think the main thing right now is to have fun
and never lose sight of that. We got into rallying to have something fun Stacy and I can
do together. That's our main focus. At the same time, I think we'd both agree that a
Group 5 ClubRally National Championship is our current goal.
(SR) - Group 5 is a tough class though.
(DS) - Yeah, I know. With competitors like Hurst, Dill, Olson,
Havas, McCleery, and others I know I'm forgetting, it won't be easy. We just need to get
faster and be consistent.
(SR) - You make it sound easy.
(DS) - (laughs) Nah, it's a tall order, but I think we can do
it. It just might take some time.
(SR) - Cool. During the 2003 season you added a bunch of sponsors.
Care to talk about them.
(DS) - Ahh yes. The sponsors are key! Davenport Racing has been a
huge help to us. Doug has been very helpful with keeping our car up-to-date with the SCCA rules.
The Mac Guys are a great group and have helped to support us a bunch. And we've just added
Speedking Performance who will be our tire supplier this season. Oh, and we've got to thank
RTP Company and the Girl Scouts for giving us jobs that allow us to do this. Without our
sponsors, this would be a lot tougher.
(SR) - Nice. Well, I guess this is getting kinda long. Let's wrap
up with five quick questions.
(DS) - Shoot.
(SR) - Where will SMS Rallysport be in five years?
(DS) - I'd like to think we'll have just won our first CRNC and
will be preparing to build another car. But anything can happen, only time will tell.
(SR) - Will you ever go ProRally?
(DS) - That's a tough one. I won't necessarily rule it out, but
I think we would have to have some massive sponsorship to do it. Right now, Stacy and my
work schedule doesn't allow for it. (smiles) If a factory ride came along, that might change.
(SR) - Any advice to a new driver?
(DS) - Start in a low-powered, 2WD car. You'll learn more.
Concentrate on finishing events and getting lots of seat time. Winning at rallying not
only takes skill, but a lot of practice. Be patient. Oh, and buy your first car already
prepped. It'll save a lot of headache.
(SR) - Favorite music?
(DS) - I like all types. I listen to a lot of punk and emo though.
(SR) - Boxers or briefs?
(DS) - Definitely boxers.
(SR) - Well, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us.
(DS) - No prob. It was fun.
(SR) - We'll see you in the woods.
(DS) - You can bet on it.
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