Sunday Driving: Dave Mirra – From BMX to WRX (STI)

HAVING ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE NAMES IN SPORTS TODAY, BMX LEGEND DAVE MIRRA IS ADDING TO HIS REPERTOIRE BY TACKLING RALLY RACING. INVITED TO COMPETE IN BOTH BMX AND RALLY RACING AT X GAMES 14, MIRRA INCREASED HIS RECORD COUNT OF X GAMES MEDALS TO 23 BY TYING FOR BRONZE IN THE RALLY EVENT.

BMX bikers and almost anyone who follows sports have heard of Dave Mirra. Winning his first BMX competition at the age of 9 and turning pro in 1992 after graduation from high school, Mirra has been one of the undisputed leaders in BMX competition.

Mirra made his rally racing debut at the Rally of the Tall Pines, the final round of the 2007 Canadian Rally Championship, in which he drove a MONSTER Energy^® Subaru Impreza rally car prepared by Vermont SportsCar. In 2008, Mirra has competed in most of the Rally America National Championship events in the #40 MONSTER Energy STI with co-driver Alex Kihurani. For X Games 14 Rally, he was chosen as an "at-large" entry.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

A couple of weeks after X Games 14, Drive Performance had an opportunity to ask Dave Mirra a few questions.

We'll start with the same question that everyone probably asks: It seems like the transition from BMX to rally would be difficult on a number of levels. What have been the most difficult aspects for you besides being asked the same question over and over?

The most difficult aspect has to be the amount of time to practice. Riding is very easy to practice on a day-to-day basis. To be a better rider, I rode every day. As we all know, seat time [in a rally car] is hard to come by due to the costs of operation. So, I would say that is the most difficult obstacle.

X Games 14 threw together both BMX and rally racing for you. In terms of logistics, the BMX superpark was right next to the Subaru Rally Team USA service area. What kind of adjustments did you have to make going from one to the other?

That was really easy to decide. I worked around rally practice. I was really looking forward to the opportunity to rally at X Games, and I wanted all the practice I could get.

Did you have an interest in cars or auto racing of any type prior to taking up rally?

I always had dreamed of this opportunity to drive. My first experience of racing was last year when I participated in the Long Beach Grand Prix celebrity race. I ended up taking first, and I was hooked on racing.

What started your interest in rally?

My interest in rally really started when Ken Block and I met up at Tim O'Neil's rally school. I didn't know what to expect. After four days at Tim's, I was hooked and wanted to rally.

I learned all the basics. They started us in front-wheel-drive cars, and then we moved into the all-wheel-drive cars.

On the fourth day, Ken arrived with the Vermont SportsCar guys and showed me what the open class car capabilities were.

Within the sport of rally racing, what do you enjoy the most?

I really enjoy being at a rally. All of the drivers are super cool, and it's a very chill environment. On the racing side, the elements you endure to finish are ever changing and very challenging!

The toughest thing for me is staying focused. I always have to be pushing, or mentally I'll slow down and make mistakes that can cost you a finish.

What has been the most difficult part of the sport to learn? What was the easiest?

I would say the toughest part is trying to figure out how to react and not think too hard to stay on the road.

I've had a few offs that could have been prevented if I would have made the choice to keep the car on the road. My problem has been locking the brakes and having no chance to save it.

The easiest is getting on the airplane to go to a rally.

You've had the opportunity to drive in rallies in winter, spring, and summer in different parts of the country. Which is the most challenging?

Winter is the most challenging because the road surface is always changing. The grip is so unpredictable. After doing a few winter rallys and a few summer rallys, I'm really interested to see how I can adapt this time around. I have a better understanding of what the car can do, so it will be exciting.

I prefer summer and dry surfaces, because you're able to push a lot harder, and the conditions are much more predictable.

On the other hand the best thing about rally is adapting. I can't say there's any condition I don't like to drive in.

What do you think you bring to the sport of rally racing?

I'm not real sure how to answer this one, but I hope I can bring another exciting driver to the sport and my fans will show up and support rally in America.

What has rally racing given you?

Rally has given me the chance to meet new people and race cars.

For instance, I met John Cassidy at O'Neil's winter rally and kept in touch quite a bit. Great guy. It's really cool to see how much rally is a lifestyle for John.

Do you have a rally or auto-racing hero or mentor?

Ken and Travis [Pastrana] are amazing drivers. They're the closest I've been to any kind of auto racing. I'm really into rally, and they're the top drivers in America. Testing with them really helps. It's crazy when I'm out there pushing it and come back to compare times. I'm like, "Wow." I've got a ways to go!

For more about Dave Mirra driving in X Games 14 Rally, see "X Games 14 Rally Notebook" in Version 5.3.

For more about Dave Mirra, visit the Vermont SportsCar Web site at www.vtcar.com and Mirra's own site at www.davemirra.com.