Whether it's dirt or asphalt, the surface doesn't change the fact that speed is the most important thing.
At the Kitchener Waterloo Rally Club (KWRC), whoever has the best time wins.
"We are a dedicated group of drivers and enthusiasts who want to have fun and go fast doing it," said KWRC president, Martin Loveridge. "There is just something so amazing about pushing your car to the limits and having the time of your life."
What started as a Chevrolet Corvair club back in the early 1960s, quickly became a rally club after the car was deemed too dangerous for everyday driving.
"The actor Ralph Nader changed all that when he said how easy it was for these things to roll," said Loveridge. "The car was the American answer to the Porsche, but it failed before it could get off the ground."
After switching lanes and solely focusing on rally racing, the KWRC started to compete in provincial and national champion series, with the aim of removing barriers and making it as easy as possible to take their cars out on track
Whether everyday drivers, grocery getters, or dedicated race cars, just about anyone with a vehicle can find a class and hit the dirt roads. The only safety equipment needed is a helmet.
Loveridge noted that a roll cage, better suspension and beefy tires all come with experience when you know this is something you are going to want to spend time doing.
"Our goal is to have as much fun for as cheap as possible, but some guys want to go all out and spend the big bucks on their cars to hopefully shave off a few seconds on their time."
The social aspect of the club is what Loveridge says makes his roughly 90 drivers and members keep coming back for more; that and the adrenaline from drifting a dirt corner at nearly 60 km/h.
The group draws from all over the region with monthly meetings here in Cambridge at the Allen Reuter Centre. They travel all over the province with an upcoming trip to Guelph for their road rally racing, which sees cars of all makes and models use public roads to get from point A to B.
"There is just something so amazing about getting in a car and trying to go as fast as you can, but staying on the course," said Loveridge. "And we get all people from first-timers to guys who have been doing this for decades."
The organization runs solely on volunteers and those who are passionate about the sport. At every event they have people give their time to help set up, cook food and keep track of all the drivers.
The most popular series to get into is rallycross which uses logging roads, rural lands and forests as the track. KWRC covers all the insurance and is recognized by Rallysport Ontario which sets rules and regulations for all legal racing operations.
"This is a legit opportunity for young racers and those who have never found a way into the sport before," said Loveridge. "You can drive on with the car you drive to work in every day, although I wouldn't recommend it as racing is always unpredictable."
To learn more about KWRC and how to race or spectate, please visit their website for more information.
"This is what we love and what we are passionate about. I would say to anyone who wants to join, come to a meeting and meet some of the drivers and learn about their experiences and I promise you won't be disappointed."