Learning the Art of Rallying at Chris Birkbeck Rally School
A Day with a Legend
It was an honor learning at Chris Birkbeck Rally School and meeting Chris Birkbeck himself, a man who once raced alongside the great Colin McRae.
For me, rallying felt like a reset — a reminder that even with years in motorsport, there’s always something new to learn when you’re driving on loose surfaces.
“Always expect the unexpected—and don’t go flat out if in doubt, even if Colin said so.”
What I Learned
Mastering Handbrake Turns
Chris and his team broke down the handbrake technique into precision and timing. I learned how to transfer weight smoothly, commit to the pull, and catch the slide with throttle balance — not panic.
Adapting to Changing Conditions
The track was never the same twice. Grip levels shifted corner-to-corner, teaching me to read the surface, not just react to it. Rallying forces you to think dynamically — to be patient and proactive rather than aggressive.
Pushing a Subaru — Carefully
Driving a Subaru flat out is something special — that engine note, the pull, the steering fight. At one point, I nearly ripped my wrists wrestling the wheel, but that’s rallying: respect the car, or it’ll teach you quickly.
“At one point I nearly ripped my wrists fighting the steering — but that’s rallying for you.”
Huge Thanks to Paul
A big shoutout to Paul, my co-driver, whose calm tone and experience made all the difference. His notes were sharp, his timing perfect, and his feedback helped me find a consistent rhythm behind the wheel.
A good co-driver keeps you quick; a great one keeps you safe. Paul was both.
Lessons I Took Away
Control beats chaos. Fast driving is repeatable, not reckless.
Surface first, speed second. Read, then react.
Trust the notes. The right co-driver is half your pace.
Expect the unexpected. Rallying rewards patience.
Flat out is earned. Not given.
What It Means for Beult
This experience wasn’t just about me — it’s about what we at Beult can pass on to our drivers.
Training sessions like this shape the coaching programs, car-control drills, and track adaptation lessons we deliver to our athletes.
Rallying teaches precision under pressure — a mindset we aim to instill across every racing discipline.
Gratitude
Huge thanks to Chris Birkbeck for his mentorship and to Paul for keeping me on line when the gravel started biting back.
Days like these build muscle memory, confidence, and above all — respect for the sport.
Work With Beult
If you’re a young driver looking to refine your craft or a partner interested in supporting driver development, we’d love to connect.
