how alastair scully #191 found fulfillment through motorsport
Photo: Hunter Minke - Instagram
THIS ONE IS FOR ME
Despite only running three events, this season was full of enthusiasm, excitement, adrenaline, doubt, and disappointment. They say racing is the sport with the highest highs and the lowest lows, and although this was my debut season, in my short experience, it is the truth.
Photo: John Ruschmeyer Photography - SmugMug
After graduating college in December 2022, I felt lost in my life. I had just worked my ass off, earned a degree, and for the first time, I was free. The pressure to perform in a regular career was palpable and I struggled immensely, but after taking inspiration from those around me and deep introspective thinking to understand my dreams, I decided to forego a desk job trading commodities in pursuit of a lifelong passion: racing. While I had driven a rally car at DirtFish Rally School in 2017, I was clueless about the sport, but I was certain of one thing… my love for motorsport. After attending Team O’Neil Rally School in March, I had never been more confident about anything. I went home, contacted the school’s management to help foster connections within the sport, found a car, built a simulator, and got to work. It was the most incredible feeling to finally have direction, a sense of accomplishment, and fulfillment in life that nothing else could provide for me. Before I knew it, June came, and I found myself back at Team O’Neil Rally School to finish my training and test in a real rally car for the first time. It was intoxicating. Shortly after, I found myself testing at The Fetela Rally Land and building confidence in the car before my competition debut at The Ojibwe Forests Rally, where I secured a third in-class finish despite my goal being to finish the event and finish clean. Nothing could have prepared me for the feeling of standing on that podium. However, this excitement soon plummeted during my stint at the Boone Forest Rally hosted by The Backroads of Appalachia, where I would only make it just over 6 miles into the first stage before sustaining event-ending damage. While this was a true test of my ability to make the most of a heartbreaking situation, I came back harder, stronger, and faster during the season closer. Despite starting at the back of the pack, I pushed my way up the ranks at the Lake Superior Performance Rally to secure a third-in-class finish in my final event of the season, this time, putting down far more competitive times when compared to my first podium finish.
Photo: Josh Merzel, Media By JM - Instagram
Looking back, while it was only 3 events, I learned more than I ever could have hoped. I also found a sense of belonging, drive, and fulfillment that I never thought imaginable, and I leave this season as an addict to all that rally has to offer. See you next year, ARA.
