By David Olson
Like the Phoenix, TSD Rallying rose from the ashes on this year’s vernal equinox and soared into the sunny New Mexico skies. On the March 22, 2026 BMW CCA New Mexico Chapter Equinox TSD Rally, sixteen intrepid rallyists of ages spanning eight decades followed 162 instructions to find 33 checkpoints over eight course segments and ended up having a ball!
Participants took in some history of Placitas and the San Antonio de las Huertas Land Grant, a couple of old Spanish churches, the wild mustangs of Mustang Mesa, the far northwest reaches of Rio Rancho, some shooting locations from Pluribus and Breaking Bad, and the fertile valley of Corrales.
Best score of 270 (that’s seconds, early or late, over 22 timed checkpoints and 84 miles of suburban driving!) was achieved by first-time rallyists Rob and Christina Anthony. The team really applied themselves, and demonstrated that even without prior experience, rallying is very doable. Christina pointed out that the educational structure of the rally worked as planned, with the difficulty slowly increasing as it went on, but with their confidence and knowledge increasing in parallel.
In second place, with no off-course excursions and 533 points, were NM Chapter President Phil Undercuffler and guest Dave Hubbard from the Porsche Club. Jim and Sandra Hudson had to withdraw after finishing seven of the eight segments, but they also had no off-course excursions and likely would have finished in second or third.
A special “youngest navigator” prize went to Ryan Skinner, who helped his dad Rob achieve the only 0.0 leg on the rally. The coveted Press On Regardless award went to Michael Gutierrez and Jim Price for hanging in there and still smiling despite multiple off-course excursions.
At the awards lunch at Village Pizza in Corrales, there was a palpable buzz, and all expressed an eagerness to do it again. Rallymaster Dave Olson is already thinking of the next route. Perhaps the Autumnal Equinox?
