Sideways in the mud at DirtFish Rally School

Welcome to the DirtFish Rally School in Snoqualmie, Washington! (If this building looks oddly familiar, it also served as the police station in Twin Peaks.) 

The Dirtfish school is spread over more than 300 acres of beautiful, northwestern terrain, including a historic plant and a few other old buildings that add a good bit of rustic charm to the setting.

Of course, we weren't there for the charm. We were there for the cars. 

Opt for one of the company's all-wheel-drive rally schools and you'll spend much of your time strapped into either a current-generation Subaru WRX STI sedan or...

...a previous-generation Subaru WRX STI wagon.

Regardless, cars are well-prepped with rollbars or full cages, stripped out interiors and proper suspension.

More importantly, the cars are frequently rebuilt, ensuring that the overexuberances of the person in the last class don't ruin your fun.

Courses start with the basics, including work in slaloms and skidpads, then work their way up.

Before long you'll be rallying through the trees and wondering just how much of your retirement savings you'd have to cash out to do this for real. 

The Dirtfish Rally School is an absolute blast, and a great way to learn the art of driving fast on all conditions.