Porsche’s legacy is often viewed through the lens of pristine asphalt and endurance circuits, yet the brand’s history is deeply intertwined with the rugged world of rallying. From the legendary 911 Safari’s triumphs in the East African Safari Rally to the Paris-Dakar-winning 959, Porsche has consistently demonstrated that high-performance engineering is not limited to paved roads.
This spirit of versatility and mechanical resilience remains at the core of Porsche’s DNA. Rallying represents the ultimate test of a vehicle’s durability and a driver’s precision, demanding a machine that can withstand extreme environments while maintaining the surgical handling that defines the marque.
Passion at Porsche is one of the defining factors that unites us all. It is the desire to achieve the absolute pinnacle and settle for nothing less. Long time friend and client, Johnny Summers, known for being the wonderfully talented Artistic and Musical Director of the Calgary Jazz Orchestra, embodies this competitive drive. Johnny recently tackled one of the most grueling challenges in modern motorsport: the 2026 Olympus Rally located outside of Shelton, Washington. Held from April 17-19, this year’s event set a new benchmark as the longest stage rally in North American history, covering over 320km of race stages over three intense days.
Facing a formidable field of 100 entrants, including world-renowned figures like Travis Pastrana, Lia Block, and ex-WRC driver Jari-Matti Latvala. Johnny and Team VEX navigated a landscape defined by constant peril.
With a staggering 40 per cent of the field failing to finish due to crashes and mechanical failures, Johnny, alongside co-driver Celine Pepperdine and a dedicated crew including Max
McNeil, Ryan Chipchase, and Dom Miller, showcased consistency in their 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI.
The result was a triumphant return to Canada with a 2nd place finish in Open 4WD and a remarkable 9th place overall.
“This was the most challenging, intense, and mentally/physically demanding race I’ve ever experienced in my life, 10/10 would recommend. Myself and my team learned a lot, there is a lot to improve, and I can’t wait to see what is possible for us as we continue to grow. I’m incredibly thankful to my team and my sponsors (VEX Performance and Samsonas Motorsport); we couldn’t have done this, or anything we do, without you,” Johnny said.
This achievement underscores the perfect synergy between elite talent and meticulous technical preparation. At Porsche Centre Calgary, we are proud to support drivers like Johnny who relentlessly push the boundaries of performance. We extend our sincerest congratulations to the entire team and eagerly anticipate the new milestones they will conquer on the road ahead.
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