Learn, Try, and More Importantly: Finish
There’s a moment before the first race where everything feels slightly unreal. The early morning air is colder than expected, the tools feel heavier in your hands, and every sound—the crunch of gravel, the idle of engines warming up—carries a weight you’ve never quite felt before. After months of preparation, problem-solving, and more than a few late nights, we finally found ourselves lining up for our first official race day.
And if we’re being truly honest, the goal was pure and simple: finish.
This wasn’t a test session. This wasn’t a casual run. This was the real thing—timed stages, real competition, and a field of teams that knew exactly what they were doing. Looking around the service area, it was immediately clear that we were stepping into something bigger than ourselves. These were seasoned competitors with dialed-in cars, refined processes, and the kind of quiet confidence that only comes from experience.
We, along with a handful of others, were the newcomers—the rally rookies.
But what stood out just as much as the level of competition was the atmosphere. Instead of feeling like outsiders, we were met with nods, conversations, and offers of help. Advice was shared freely. Tools and helping hands were lent without hesitation. Questions—no matter how basic—were answered with patience. It didn’t take long to realize that while everyone was there to compete, they were also there because they love the sport. And that shared passion created an environment that was as welcoming as it was intense.
Once the racing started, everything narrowed into focus. The nerves didn’t disappear, but they found their place—sharpening reactions instead of clouding them. Stage by stage, we settled in. The car held together. The calls got cleaner. Confidence built, one corner at a time.
Still, we had no real sense of where we stood.
Between stages, you catch glimpses of other teams’ pace, hear bits of times being discussed, but it’s all fragmented. We knew we were doing alright for our first time. We knew we weren’t at the back because the car was still running. Beyond that, it was anyone’s guess. We didn't think to ask where to find mid-day results, we weren't there for them anyway. All we wanted was to try this for real and learn as much as we could.
By the end of the day, exhaustion had fully set in. The kind that comes from adrenaline, focus, and the constant push to stay sharp. We rolled back in, not entirely sure what to expect, just relieved that we had made it through our first race day without major issues. Looking around the service area, we noticed the few who had to end their day early due to mechanical problems, the others who were starting to get their tools and cars ready to return home while we all awaited the day's results.
We still didn't even know where to look for them. But then they got printed up and posted. And we just stared. Rubbed our eyes, and stared some more.
3rd overall.
1st in 2WD.
It took a moment to sink in.
In a field stacked with teams of varying degrees of experience from really high down to us, on our very first outing, we had somehow found our way onto the podium—and at the top of our class. It wasn’t just unexpected; it was surreal. The goal had been to finish, to learn, to gain experience. Instead, we walked away with a result that exceeded anything we had allowed ourselves to imagine.
What made it even more meaningful was who we achieved it alongside. The same teams that pushed us on stage were the ones congratulating us afterward. The same competitors we had been watching with admiration were suddenly part of the same conversation, the same shared experience.
That’s what will stick with us.
Yes, the result matters. It’s a milestone, and one we’re incredibly proud of. But just as important is the reminder of why this sport is so special. It’s fiercely competitive, demanding, and unforgiving—but it’s also built on mutual respect, camaraderie, and a willingness to lift each other up.
There’s still a lot to learn, a lot to improve, and a long road ahead. But we've taken the first step, met some new friends, and actually raced.
And if this first race day taught us anything, it’s that we like it here—and we’re just getting started.
Thanks to CASLL and RSQ for organizing and running the 2026 Rallye-X de Sanair.