It seems that I can never get enough of writing about racing. All types of racing indeed. Dirt 5 is just a continuation of my racing obsession here at IndieGala, but I’m not complaining though. I love writing about it.
And it seems logical that a post about dirt rallies is the next step for me. Because why not? I’ve already covered race car driving and F1 driving. Rally driving is next on the agenda, mostly because of plenty of great Dirt Rally video games here at IndieGala. And of course the latest upcoming edition of the game – Dirt 5.
Dirt 5: What’s the game all about?
Developed and published by Codemasters, Dirt 5 is a racing game focused on off-road racing. Dirt 5 is the latest edition of the Dirt video game series, and it’s awesome for the speed fans out there. Also, it allows you to blaze a trail on routes across the world. Such as ice, snow and sand, and with a vast roster of cars to choose from. Regardless of what your preference is, Dirt 5 has it. Ranging from rally icons to trucks, and GT heroes. And what’s in Dirt 5? Aside from star-studded career, there’s four-player split-screen, innovative online modes. Next, there’s a livery editor and more new features for you to discover. Not to mention, there are more than 70 unique routes across 10 different global locations. Ultimately, DIRT 5 is the next generation of extreme racing.
Dirt 5 is available for pre-purchase here at IndieGala, so hurry up. The worldwide release is up for October of this year. So, it’s just around the corner.
Dirt 5: And just what is rally driving anyway?
Rally Driving or simply „rallying“ is a form of motor-sport that takes place on either public or private roads. Also, it has a sleek modified production or specially built road-legal cars. However, the big distinction from other types of motor-sports, is that the vehicle is not on a circuit. On the contrary.
The driving is through a point-to-point format in which participants and their co-drivers drive between set control points. Nonetheless, “rally” as a branch of motor sport, probably can be traced all the way back to the first Monte Carlo Rally. It was held in 1911 and it was a genuine attraction. But if we go back even further, the origins of sport date all the way to the 1894’s Paris–Rouen Horseless Carriage Competition. Today there dozens of fantastic rally competitions and races all around the world. Most noteworthy of them are the Dakar rally race, Africa Eco Race, but there are so many others as well.
But because I divided the movies in my previous posts, I thought I’d mix things up in this particular post. Why focus solely on documentary films or solely on feature-length movies? Why not include both? Sounds like a good idea? I thought so too. Here are my picks for the best and most fun rally-inspired movies. It has two movie picks from each bracket (feature length and documentary) and I do hope that you like my selection.
The Cannonball Run
A feature-length movie that’s also inspired by a real-life event? And may I add that it’s a comedy movie that not only has Burt Reynolds in the lead role, it also has Jackie Chan in the cast?
Yup. The Cannonball Run is based on the 1979 running of an actual cross-country outlaw road race in the United States. The race started in Connecticut and ended in California, and it’s one of the most grueling rallies ever. But that’s not all. Burt Reynolds and Jackie Chan are just two of the many incredible actors in this movie. Roger Moore is in it, Farrah Fawcett and Peter Fonda are too, and so are the Hollywood legends Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Although not critically successful, the movie produced a sequel three years later. However, the 1981 original movie deserves a viewing nonetheless.
Easier Said Than Done
Easier Said Than Done explores the ultimate motor-sport – rallying. With a long list of an international cast that includes top drivers, mechanics and co-drivers from around the world. However, the movie focuses on young three-time champion Chris Duplessis. And of course on his attempt to reach the top level of the sport, the World Rally Championship. This is Matt Johnston’s directorial debut, and aside from being a director of this fantastic documentary, he serves as cinematographer, editor and producer. As the movie suggests, rallying is an extremely difficult and dangerous sport. It’s also very expensive, dirty, rough and one of the last pure motor-sports in the world. It’s worth the watch.
The Gumball Rally
It’s probably the oldest movie on this list, but much like The Cannonball Run it’s a hilarious comedy with a fantastic cast. Not to mention, much like The Cannonball Run, it was also inspired by a real-life event. Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash. It’s an unofficial and unsanctioned automobile race from the ’70s. Furthermore, it was run five times from New York City and Darien, Connecticut and it was crazy as much as it was dangerous. Michael Sarrazin has the lead role, while Gary Busey and Norman Burton are part of the supporting cast. It also ushered in a sub-genre of road-race films in the late ’70s. But The Gumball Rally along with Smokey and The Bandit remains as one of the most iconic ones of that era.
Still Too Fast To Race
This is a sequel to the 1997 movie Too Fast To Race, but it’s good movie nonetheless. It offers a closer and loving look at the Group B Rally Cars of the 1980s. These particular cars were dropped from the official competition by the WRC. Why you might ask? Well, because the cars were “too fast to race.” So, the movie examines their unique ability that eventually became their downfall. How? By having each model of the cars reviewed while drivers recall their glory days on-camera of course. All through a series of vintage and newer footage of the cars as well. One of the legends of this sport, Stig Blomqvist even takes several of the cars for a spin on a rally training course. And altogether it’s really an insightful and fascinating documentary about a bunch of disqualified cars. It’s a must-watch if you’re a fan of the sport.
Dirt 5: Your thoughts
What are your thoughts on the Dirt series? And on the rallying specifically? Tell us in the comment section. We’d love to know all about your affinity towards the rally driving.
