A Legacy of Speed: The History of the Pacific Forest Rally

The Pacific Forest Rally (PFR) has a rich history spanning over 40 years in British Columbia, with its origins tracing back to the 1960s. Initially held sporadically, the rally gained prominence in the 1970s and 80s as part of the Canadian National Rally Championship.

The first Pacific Forest Rally, presented by the Fiat Auto Club of BC, took place on May 14-15, 1977, as part of the Canadian Auto Sport Clubs (CASC) National Rally Championship and the Pacific International Rally Series. After a period of inactivity, the rally was revived in 2000, featuring the challenging mountain roads of BC’s central interior. This revival marked its inclusion in the Western Canadian Performance Rally Championship, expanding the regional calendar to six events between Alberta and BC and qualifying for Out-of-Divisional points for US competitors in the SCCA Regional Championship.

Initially held on the Battle Creek roads of Cache Creek, BC, the rally’s growing popularity and size prompted a move to the City of Merritt in 2001. This transition was supported by local businesses, landowners, ranchers, and government ministries, enhancing the event’s quality for both spectators and competitors. By 2004, the Pacific Forest Rally had become round 5 of the Canadian Rally Championship, bringing the series to Canada’s west coast, and was included in the SCCA Northwest regional championship series.

This year, the rally attracted teams from both Canada and the US, competing for points in up to three championship series.