Service crew.
Stacy Lobanova
At a rally, the service crew works behind the scenes to keep cars running and competitors on stage. Between stages, they inspect, repair, and maintain rally cars—addressing everything from routine checks to unexpected damage—often under tight time limits. Their goal is to get each car back on the road safely and stage-ready, adapting quickly to whatever challenges the event throws their way.
In Stacy's own words
"I'm part of a phenomenal group of crew with the Screech Owl Garage. My team and I got to wrench on 5 cars within our paddock for this event, doing everything within our power to keep those rally cars stage ready."
"2023 was my first OTR event, the first year I got to crew. Throughout the past two years, I have been entrusted to take on more responsibility, growing into a crew lead in 2024. Now I oversee a car, interface with the drivers as they're headed back to service, memorize the specifics and unique characteristics of the car, call out specs to the rest of the crew as we wrench and keep us within our allotted time."
"Our crews are a volunteer team because we choose for it to be about our love for the sport and not about the money."
"We are a group of people who come from all walks of life and backgrounds, and none of us have professional automotive experience."
"All the work we do is self taught and self-learned. I don't say this to earn clout. I want people to know that if we can do it, you can to."
"Participating at events like OTR are meaningful and enjoyable because of the people I get to do this with. Our crew, our drivers and co-drivers, the volunteers... it really is a community of passionate people who show up to participate in a sport of grit, determination and skill. The compradore, the trauma bonding that occurs in at events is quite unique. The personal growth that occurs is also invaluable, as the intensity of the sport really brings out aspects of character that don't typically surface. It really has become a place where I get to test myself and see what I'm made of."
"My crew is just a bunch of friends who hang out and do a cool and skillful hobby together. The drivers and co-drivers and some of the most rad, kind and skilled people that I've met. To be a part of such a community is an honor."
Profession
"I work as a Nurse in the Emergency Department."
"As a Christian, I hope all areas of my life to be a testament to God and His presence through me. My hope is that as I do life, all the blessings I experience and all the platforms I am given would all work together to create a witness for who God is. He gives the opportunity for us to enjoy this sport and test our limits. Soli Deo Gloria."
For more stories in Face of OTR 2025.
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