We did it! Team Crankshaft Culture won the 2S class (trucks/SUVs, “seat of pants”) again at this year’s Alcan 5000 Summer Rally! We won this class in 2024 at the Alcan 5000 Winter Rally in an INEOS Grenadier, and we did it again this year in a 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport!

This year’s grueling 11-day event went from Kirkland, WA to the Arctic Circle in Canada’s Yukon Territory, into Alaska, and finished in Williams Lake, British Columbia. This was our fourth Alcan 5000 Rally and second class win.

A Partnership With American Honda Motor Co.

We partnered with American Honda Motor Co. and drove a 2026 Passport TrailSport as our rally vehicle. The only modifications were a prototype Rally Innovations light bar mount and Baja Designs Squadron lights. The SUV came with all-terrain tires, skid plates, rock sliders, a roof rack, and all-wheel drive straight from the manufacturer.

With a new 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine, 8.3” of ground clearance, and plenty of space, the Passport TrailSport proved to have what it takes to not only survive the rigorous rally but to win. The 5,500-mile route had endless potholes, rolling frost heaves, and about 900 miles of dirt and gravel.

“We look for three important traits on an Alcan 5000 vehicle,” said Andy. “Power, ground clearance, and comfort—the Passport TrailSport had all of those. The car was flawless during the event, and unlike other entrants, we didn’t have a single flat tire, although we carried a full-size spare. This SUV is a great road tripper, no matter how good or bad the roads may be.”

The Secret to Success

Co-driver/navigator, Mercedes, said, “I attribute this year’s success to on-the-fly adaptations to unforeseen challenges, good communication between Andy and me, and for choosing a solid vehicle for the job. Every Alcan 5000 Rally has unique challenges, but we’ve learned from every event what to improve upon and what to continue to accelerate.” Mercedes said she and Andy have learned to hone skills that veteran rallyists taught them, and to help pay it forward to rookie teams and newcomers to the rally.

What Is the Alcan 5000 Rally?

Part road trip, part time-speed-distance (TSD) rally, the 5,000-mile-plus event is held on pavement, dirt, and gravel roads. The brainchild of Seattle resident and veteran rallyist, Jerry Hines, the Alcan 5000 has run 41 times since 1984 and has attracted participants from all over the world. This year, there were 17 entries in various automotive classes, and 12 competitors in different motorcycle classes. We have competed in the 2S Truck/SUV class each time, using basic math, a simple calculator, a kitchen timer, and a GPS odometer during competition. Our class does not allow rally apps or computers.

What Is TSD Rally?

The goal of TSD rally isn’t to get to the finish line as fast as possible, but to drive/ride accurately over long distances. Each event is held on public roads at or below the speed limit. Competitors are given a route book with directions, average speeds, and distances. They must stay on course, passing through hidden GPS checkpoints at exact times. If they show up early or late, there’s a penalty. A perfect score is zero.

An Alcan 5000 Rally typically consists of a timed rally in the morning, then an untimed transit of up to 700 miles (which can include 16 hours of driving in one day) to get to the next rally stage or the night’s lodging. The rally’s pace can be exhausting, but also exceptionally rewarding with world-class scenery, amazing driving roads, and extraordinary camaraderie.

There are classes for cars, trucks/SUVs, and motorcycles, depending on whether a team uses a rally app/computer or hand calculations. Vehicle choice is important. A car, truck/SUV, or motorcycle must be reliable and up to the task of tackling the harsh northern roads.

Typically run every two years, a make-up event is held every several years, which was the case for 2025. There will be another summer rally in 2026, and then a winter Alcan 5000 in 2028. Like the Olympics, the event switches between summer and winter. Registration for the 2026 Alcan 5000 Summer Rally is now open at Alcan5000.com.

To learn more about our involvment in road rally, check out our Rally Résumé.

Lead photo by Shane Bowman.