Q&A with former Western Canada rally car racer Shawn Bishop

CALGARY, Alberta — 

Shawn Bishop

Age: 66

Not only does Shawn Bishop have experience as a driver, volunteer, event organizer and series administrator, but he has won four Canadian Rally Championships in the Production GT class as well as several Western Canada Rally Championships too. He is heavily involved in volunteering, promoting and photographing rally and racing events in Western Canada. Shawn was also the coordinator of the Rocky Mountain Rally, the second event in the Canadian Rally Championship for several years.

Motorsport Bio / Timeline

Competition

1976 – Started with Calgary Sports Car Club doing Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) car rallies

1982 – 1991 Competed in Western Canada Rally Championship and Canadian Rally Championship with Suzanne Barry as co-driver / navigator

Highlights 

• 1982 Canadian Novice Driver Champion in Datsun 510
• 1985, 1986 Canadian Champion in Production ‘B’ Class in Mazda RX-7 (Shawn/Suzanne)
• 1989, 1990 Canadian Champion in Production GT class in Mazda 323 GTX (Shawn/Suzanne)
• Suzanne has won the Canadian Ladies Championship several times
• Retired from active competition in 1992

What is the biggest challenge in your sport and what do you do to manage this challenge?

Shawn Bishop: Rally racing is not well known in Canada. I recently joined a ‘marketing’ team of volunteers to work on this aspect. I volunteer to help promote various motorsport events in Alberta and British Columbia.

What was the best advice you were ever given?

Bishop: Plan ahead! Prepare. Prepare. Prepare.

What do you love about your sport?

Bishop: It’s extremely challenging — whether a driver/co-driver, team mechanic, event organizer or even an event volunteer. Weather conditions and long days make a difference.

What do you like to do outside of rally racing?

Bishop: I always had an interest in photography, especially motorsport events — I typically attend 20-25 events per year! I also enjoy landscape and night photography.

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