Friendship is a wonderful thing, especially when it leads to new hobbies and interests. When my best friend Tyus introduced me to rally racing, I knew we had to try and see a race.

We had heard of the DirtFish racing complex in the Snoqualmie Valley and decided we should make our way to the mountains and go see what was up.

On July 26, DirtFish hosted Northwest Rallycross Fest 2025, put on by the Northwest Rally Association, where over the course of two days, fans and drivers could drift their cars across the gravel tracks.

We packed up our stuff, brought our camping chairs and went in with no idea of what was to come.

When we pulled into DirtFish, all we had to do was sign a waiver upon entry — admission to the races were free. Once we found a parking spot, we headed to the viewing area right next to track one.

After the drive-through lap, the races began and we were enthralled by the skill these drivers possessed. Swinging around corners, revving their engines and kicking up gravel really wowed us with the professionalism of the drivers.

Around 20 minutes into the races, seemingly out of nowhere, a Northwest Rally administrator came up to me and asked me if I wanted to get in a car. I didn’t have any press credentials or any special access, but just being in the right place at the right time.

From there, I handed in my ID and picked up a helmet. I was then introduced to Brian, who drove a gun-metal gray Subaru WRX. Once it was our time at the front of the queue, Brian, who appeared in the brief time we talked as a kind, soft-spoken individual, flipped the switch.

I felt like a kid going on his first roller coaster, except the roller coaster was ran by a professional roller coaster driver. But that is the amazing thing about the Northwest Rally Association — Brian isn’t a professional driver. We didn’t get deep into conversation, but what I did learn is that he just takes his car to all the races, and he’s a local Issaquah resident.

But once he puts the helmet on and seatbelt on in the car, he gets sideways on the track. He did accrue a four-second penalty when I was in the car and was running sixth after his first run.

I couldn’t tell you how long the race went. I could not wipe the smile off my face. Once it was our turn, Brian punched it and sent the car into turn one.

The rest of the race, filled with corners and chicanes, made me feel as if I was on the world’s most advanced roller coaster. We never hit more than 50 mph, but the corners that were navigated felt like something out of Mario Kart and I was on Rainbow Road.

We left DirtFish after the first session of races concluded and could not stop talking about what a great time we had. We went from leaving Federal Way with question marks in our minds if our afternoon was going to be wasted, to driving away from DirtFish with an experience that will be shared for weeks and months to come.

Trying new things is integral to living a fulfilling life, and thanks to my best friend, I was able to experience something unique and out of the ordinary for my weekend activities. That is what makes life so special.

Ben Ray/Sound Publishing Subaru Legacy drives around a corner at DirtFish.