A MIRROR IMAGE

Winter Rally X racing driver Rob Vida checks his beard after someone mentioned it looks like clumps of mud after a few laps. See Brandon Harder’s photo essay

No, no, no, no, no, no, no!

With its throttle wide open, bouncing off the rev limiter, the little grey Subaru seems to scream in protest.

Hearing this makes it easy to imagine the car’s tachometer needle wagging like a finger, warning the driver their behaviour is abusive. But whoever is behind the wheel doesn’t give a damn, because they’re into the straight and the finish line is in sight.

So goes a recent Saturday morning in a farmer’s field south of Regina, where the Winter Rally X racing series turns stubble to speedway about four times each winter.

Anyone can sign up. Sure, some of the regular drivers are serious gear heads. But the time-trial format means only one vehicle is on the track at once. There’s an opportunity for anyone who grew up with the urge to take mom’s Buick to the limit.

Those wishing to test their own car’s capabilities on the track can do so, assuming organizers deem it fit for the task.

For everyone else, there’s the little grey “rental car.” It’s the sacrificial lamb that bleats for anyone who can cough up 40 bucks.

That’s on top of the $20 registration fee.

During the pre-race safety meeting, organizer and rental car caregiver Tom Schutzman says: “The car has to make it through the whole day, so please drive accordingly.”

“It’s a race car, though,” he adds. “So, race it.”

The car did, in fact, make it through the day. Though that likely had less to do with driver discretion and more to do with the controlled track environment.

Yes, everyone has to sign a waiver. And everyone must wear a helmet. But course hazards amount to a few pesky snowdrifts.

Egos seem to sustain the most serious risk. The odd one may even get bruised, if a driver happens to “beach” their car on a drift, trying to one-up their buddy’s best time.

Such predicaments draw a good laugh from the crowd.

Then, out comes the “whale of shame” — a stuffed toy that is affixed to the car of any driver requiring a tow. Again, cue the laughter.

It’s all in fun, though some would add that the track time is also educational. Drivers quickly learn just what a vehicle is and is not capable of in winter conditions.

After all, where else can you put a car into a fourwheel slide on ice, and your biggest concern is how it will affect your lap time?

More information on the racing series can be found on the Winter Rally X Facebook page.

BRANDON HARDER

Drivers and spectators listen to a safety meeting prior to a Winter Rally X racing series event on a rural property just south of Regina. Drivers are given instructions including a warning that, while the racing is relatively safe, no medical staff is present and drivers should conduct themselves accordingly. Drivers must wear a helmet and spectators are given instructions regarding proximity to the track to ensure nobody is injured. Prior to the first run of the day, all the drivers do a parade lap to learn about the track’s configuration and surface conditions.

Driver Wes Tsang keeps his foot on the gas of the rental car, speeding toward the finish line. Track volunteer Tsang was responsible for printing and installing the vinyl graphics on the rental car.

Driver Matthew Painter keeps a hand on the shifter as he pilots the rental car through a muddy track. Painter, along with his fellow drivers, found track conditions challenging throughout the afternoon recently as the ambient temperature rose. He could be heard pleading with the car to grab traction as he slid around corners, often narrowly avoiding a run-in with snowbanks surrounding the track. Nearly all lap times slowed during the second half of the day, with even some of the most experienced drivers adding at least 30 seconds to their runs.

Driver Rob Vida attaches the tow sling from the rental car to the timing truck. Drivers often get the car stuck on the snow drifts that surround the track, which is in a farmer’s field south of Regina. Even experienced drivers occasionally lose control of the vehicle and get it stuck, as each driver tries to push the car to the limit in accordance with their abilities.

Driver Bob Schutzman takes the rental car past the start line at the Winter Rally X racing series. The car’s transponder communicates with a device attached to the timing truck in line with the orange cones.

Driver Bob Schutzman slings a little mud with the rental car.

The 2002 Subaru WRX rental car shows off a little extra colour.