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We recently concluded our inaugural Pacific Northwest Road & Track rally, and it was nothing short of spectacular. Over four blissful days, we cruised through the scenic Cascades with a passionate group of readers from across the U.S. The Northwest Shift rally took place from June 10 to 13, 2026, offering participants a taste of Oregon and Washington’s most beautiful driving routes.

This account comes from the Road & Track Experiences team.

Our convoy of striking cars included a Corvette Z06, Lexus RC F Track Edition, several Porsches, and more. Leading the rally were editor-at-large Matt Farah behind the wheel of a BMW M5 Touring, and executive editor Mike Austin driving a Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring RF. Alongside the exhilarating mountain drives, participants enjoyed two track events—one on the road course at Portland International Raceway and another at the rugged off-road course of DirtFish Rally School. Between drives, guests relaxed at luxurious resorts and stopped at auto-themed destinations. Our official event partner, Corient, played a key role in making Northwest Shift an unforgettable experience.

DAY ONE - Let’s Drive

The first day began at Portland International Raceway. Attendees checked in, had breakfast, received detailed track briefings from the race school, and were welcomed by Road & Track staff and fellow drivers.

Participants then took to the 1.9-mile, 12-turn road course for track lapping sessions. After testing their limits, guests joined thrilling hot laps with Matt Farah and professional instructors. Following lunch, everyone took part in a friendly timed autocross challenge.

As the day wound down, drivers grouped up and headed to The Sentinel Portland, a modern boutique hotel housed in two historic Portland buildings—the Seward Hotel and the Elks Lodge. After checking in, the evening continued with cocktails at the Multnomah Whiskey Library, where guests enjoyed bespoke whiskey creations before regrouping at the hotel for dinner. Everyone turned in early to prepare for the next day’s adventure.

DAY TWO - Mountain Roads and a Night in Nature

After breakfast, we left the city behind and ventured into Oregon’s mountain passes. Only a few miles outside Portland, the Cascade Range unfolded before us with waterfalls and breathtaking vistas at every turn.

We took a short break at Big Eddy Park on the banks of the Skykomish River, before continuing across the iconic Astoria-Megler Bridge along US-101 into Washington. Lunch was served dockside at Drop Anchor Bistro, after which the group drove east toward the snow-capped majesty of Mount Rainier.

We reached Mount Rainier National Park just as the golden hour painted the sky. Guests checked in at the rustic Paradise Inn, located within the park, and explored the surroundings or hiked to the picturesque Myrtle Falls. Dinner was served in the hotel’s dining room, rounding off a serene evening in the heart of nature.

DAY THREE - Winding Through Washington

After a relaxed breakfast, the group departed Mount Rainier and headed north toward Woodinville, Washington. The first stop was Leavenworth, a charming alpine town inspired by Bavarian architecture. Lunch featured classic German dishes like bratwurst, schnitzel, and oversized pretzels at Rhein Haus Leavenworth, followed by free time to explore the town.

Driving through winding, fir-lined roads, we made our way to Woodinville’s Willows Lodge, where guests checked in and enjoyed the tranquil, spa-like environment. The evening began with a wine tasting at Mark Ryan Winery, followed by dinner at the lodge. During dessert, Matt Farah hosted a conversation with DirtFish Rally School founder Steve Rimmer, discussing his rally racing experiences, his school, and his extensive rally car collection—a teaser for the following day’s adventure. The night concluded with the Northwest Shift Awards, recognizing the Fastest Time, Driver of the Day, and Corient Best Co-Pilot.

DAY FOUR - Getting Sideways at DirtFish

The final day was the most rugged of the entire rally. After an early breakfast at Willows Lodge, participants drove to DirtFish Rally School. Following a briefing on rally techniques, everyone got behind the wheel of specially prepared Subaru BRZs to experience the thrill of rally driving firsthand.

The drifting and countersteering at DirtFish offered a stark contrast to the precision and control required at Portland International Raceway. Experiencing both ends of the driving spectrum provided a perfect sense of balance to conclude the journey.

Once the rally driving concluded, the convoy made one last stop at Steve Rimmer’s private rally car collection—a rare experience not open to the public. The collection showcased an impressive array of motorsport memorabilia and legendary Group B rally cars, including the rare Citroen BX4TC and the 1983 World Rally Championship-winning Lancia Rally 037. After touring the collection, we bid farewell as our four-day, 640-mile adventure drew to a close.

The Northwest Shift rally was an unforgettable experience—filled with stunning routes, thrilling track sessions, and an enthusiastic group of drivers.

Fans still have two more chances to join upcoming rallies this year. The next event, Ring to Spa, will take place across Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands from October 6 to 13, followed by the popular Hudson Quattrocento rally through New York and Connecticut from October 27 to 30. We look forward to seeing you on the road!