Lia Block’s Historic Sno*Drift Dream Slips Away in 2026 ARA Season Opener Chaos

 

Report: Neil McDaid 

Photo: Alex Gelsomino - FB

Atlanta, Michigan, the 2026 Sno Drift rally, the season opener for the American Rally Association (ARA), concluded with a heart-wrenching controversy and heartbreak for a rising star. What should have been a dream come true for 19-year-old Lia Block, daughter of rally legend Ken Block, ended in disqualification for receiving assistance from spectators during a time control. However, as the saying goes, “the rules are the rules.”

From the very first stage of this winter classic, Sno*Drift lived up to its reputation as America’s most treacherous and unpredictable rally. Held entirely on snow and ice across Michigan’s narrow, winding forest stages, where studded tires are prohibited by the State, this event has always been a test of grip and bravery. This year’s edition attracted a formidable and competitive national field, including seasoned National Champion Travis Pastrana and a host of private entries such as Patrick Gruszka, Alastair Scully, and WRC driver Sean Donnelly. All of them were contenders for a podium spot.

Block arrived in Atlanta with little fanfare compared to established ARA stars. Her entry in an Element Motorsport-prepared Ford Fiesta Rally3 was more of a curiosity than a headline act. With Alex Gelsomino in the co-driver seat, calling the notes, it was evident from the first stages that the former youngest ARA class champion was quickly getting a handle of the slippery conditions. After only four stages, she secured third overall and seemed poised for a podium finish. Heading into the final two stages on day one, Lia was third to Patrick Gruszka in his Hyundai i20 N Rally2. However, after passing through the final time control on SS6, Gruszka’s car lost all power, leading to his retirement and towing back to service. Patrick’s retirement moved Lia into second overall and past Sno Drift winner Mark Piatkowski into third.

Despite a few sketchy moments on the opening stages of day two, all was well in the Block camp. Lia kept the hard-charging Piatkowski at bay while keeping Pastrana in sight. However, things would take a dramatic turn as the final few stages of the rally approached. Veteran Subaru pilot Travis Pastrana, who was expected to cruise to another Sno*Drift victory, ran wide on a mid-day stage. This mistake resulted in a significant time loss, allowing Block to seize the overall lead. What followed was a masterclass in controlled aggression, with some strong advice undoubtedly coming from the co-driver seat. 

Block showcased the Rally3 Fiesta’s power and exploited its short heel base traction, executing some spectacular corner entries. It’s possible that she learned some of these skills from her legendary father.

Lia and Alex entered the final stage with a commanding three-minute lead over Audi’s Javier Castro. History was on the verge of being made—not just a career-defining win, but an unprecedented one: the first overall ARA National win by a woman and the first rally victory for Rally3 machinery in the championship. However, fate, as it often does at Sno*Drift, had other plans.

Barely 100 meters from the finish line, Block’s Fiesta betrayed her. A timing belt failure sidelined her just shy of glory. In a dramatic turn of events, she and co-driver Alex Gelsomino pushed the car toward the finish control and then accepted a tow from fellow competitor Sean Donnelly. They crossed the line and were r

ecorded, but at the cost of incurring outside assistance—a violation that would prove decisive.

Post-event scrutineering and protest hearings turned the rally on its head. Both Block and Castro, the Audi driver who had climbed to second amid the chaos, were excluded from the final results for receiving help to re-enter time controls from third parties. Scrutineers, enforcing strict ARA regulations on outside assistance, removed both from the classified finishers, promoting Subaru’s Mark Piatkowski—steady throughout and penalty-free—to the outright victory.

The fallout has sparked intense debate across social media and rally forums. Some argue that the enforcement of assistance rules adds an unavoidable harshness to stage rallying. Others contend that in a sport where competitor safety and strict timing integrity are paramount, the penalties—though harsh—were justified. What cannot be denied is the emotional rollercoaster: from the potential for a historic triumph to the sorrow of disqualification.

For Block, the weekend was far from a complete wash. Her pace, carved into the ice-slick stages with the confidence of a seasoned rally veteran, was not only bold but also consistent. Stage times placed her among the fastest drivers in the field, and she returns to the championship as a serious title contender.

However, that’s a mere comfort compared to what could have been. Sno*Drift is the crucible where legends are forged or shattered, and at the tender age of 19, Lia Block’s legend is just beginning to take shape. Amidst the snow-laden Michigan trees, she reignited the rally world’s faith in her talent, proving that even when winter attempts to extinguish her flame, her passion burns brightly.

Lia mentioned that she will make an exciting announcement shortly regarding a new car she will debut soon. It’s possible that the debut will be in time for Rally in the 100aw in March, a rally that her father, Ken Block, won an impressive seven times!

Top Five overall:

Rank Driver Co-Driver Vehicle

1 Mark Piatkowski Aris Mantopoulos Subaru Impreza RS

2 Alastair Scully Stefan Trajkov Hyundai i20 R5

3 Sean Donnelly Zach Pfeil Renault Clio Rally3

4 Matthew Nykanen William Ross BMW 328i E36

5 John Barnett Lucas Laeser Ford Fiesta ST

Top 3 Winners in Open 2WD (O2WD)

Rank Driver Co-Driver Vehicle

1 Matthew Nykanen William Ross BMW 328i E36

2 Steve Rowlands Tessa Jordan BMW 330i E46

3 Nicholas Tippmann David Tippmann Ford Fiesta ST

Ireland’s WRC Dream Rekindled: Motorsport Ireland Mounts Fresh Charge to Bring the World Rally Championship to the Emerald Isle

 

Report: Neil McDaid

Photos: Neil McDaid 

Dublin, Ireland: Motorsport Ireland has once again thrown its weight behind an ambitious plan to return the FIA World Rally Championship to Irish roads, reigniting a dream that has simmered since the sport last roared through the country more than a decade ago. MSI's goal is to get Ireland on the WRC calendar for 2028-29

With renewed political engagement, a reshaped WRC calendar, and lessons learned from past disappointments, Ireland’s latest bid feels more grounded  and potentially more credible  than before.

Ireland last hosted a WRC round in 2009 and 2010, events fondly remembered for their unique blend of fast, narrow tarmac stages, unpredictable weather, and passionate crowds. Yet the curtain came down abruptly. The previous bid ultimately collapsed under the combined weight of funding shortfalls, late-stage government hesitation, and concerns within the FIA over long-term financial guarantees. Despite strong sporting delivery, the economic model simply didn’t stack up in a post-financial-crisis Ireland.

That failure has loomed large over subsequent attempts. But Motorsport Ireland’s current approach reflects a more mature, strategic understanding of what the modern WRC demands. Crucially, this bid is being framed not just as a motorsport event, but as a national tourism and economic initiative — language that resonates far more clearly with government stakeholders than pure sporting heritage ever did.

What may tip the balance this time is timing. The WRC is actively seeking high-profile tarmac events to balance its hybrid-heavy gravel calendar, and Ireland’s road network — honed by decades of Irish Tarmac Championship competition — is ready-made for the spectacle modern rally fans crave. Events like the Circuit of Ireland, West Cork Rally, and Donegal International Rally have continued to demonstrate Ireland’s organisational depth, volunteer base, and crowd control expertise at an elite level.

Equally important is Motorsport Ireland’s effort to secure multi-year commitments rather than a one-off splash. Stability is now a non-negotiable requirement for WRC Promoter, and early indications suggest stronger alignment between local authorities, national tourism bodies, and private partners than in previous attempts.

Ireland also benefits from a new generation of internationally successful drivers and co-drivers keeping the nation visible on the world stage, reinforcing the narrative that Ireland is not just a historic rally nation — but a current one.

 

There are still hurdles to clear: funding guarantees, logistical complexity, and the ever-present challenge of road closures on public tarmac. But for the first time since 2010, Ireland’s WRC bid feels less like a romantic revival — and more like a serious, calculated return.

From Pace Notes to Power Moves: Jonne Halttunen Joins Toyota Gazoo Racing USA Rally Program

 

Report: Neil McDaid

Photo: Red Bull Racing 

Toyota has confirmed WRC Champion Co-driver Jonne Halttunen as Project Manager for its expansion into the American Rally Association Championship. Toyota Gazoo Racing will also collaborate with Rallysupport Services, a company ironically led by Lance Smith, the same Lance Smith of Vermont Sports Car who brought Subaru to be the most successful brand in North American Rally.

Halttunen arrives with a résumé that commands instant respect. As co-driver to Kalle Rovanperä, he has been a central figure in Toyota Gazoo Racing’s modern WRC dominance. Together they claimed WRC World Championships in 2022 and 2023, multiple rally victories across gravel, tarmac, and snow, and redefined the modern driver–co-driver partnership with precision, calm authority, and tactical intelligence beyond their years. Halttunen’s reputation inside the service park is that of a strategist as much as a navigator—someone who understands not just pace notes, but the bigger competitive picture.

Less widely discussed, but equally relevant for the ARA project, is Halttunen’s own rally driving background. Before cementing his career on the right-hand seat, he competed as a driver in Finland’s national rally scene, giving him first-hand understanding of car behavior, setup compromises, and the physical demands of stage competition—an invaluable asset when translating WRC-level thinking to American events with their unique roads, formats, and logistics.

With WRC, getting serious about getting USA on their calendar, the obvious question is: could this project lead to something even bigger for Jonne? While a one-off ARA appearance by Halttunen alongside Rovanperä might seem far-fetched, Rovanperä has said "rallying will always be close to his heart," even though he hasn't indicated a 2026 stage rally commitment. Given this season's focus on establishing Toyota's presence in the USA, such an entry would generate significant exposure for both Toyota and ARA. Of course, this is all speculation, but regardless, Halttunen's move alone demonstrates that American stage rally is no longer on the fringes; it's firmly back on the world map. 

Chasing the Ghost of Paddy Hopkirk, MINI returns to stage rally and tackles the snow and ice covered Stages of Sno*Drift Rally

 

Report: Neil McDaid

Photo's: Mini USA

Atlanta, Michigan, To understand why this return matters, one must look back to January 1964. It was the "Night of the Long Knives" on the Col de Turini where Irishman Paddy Hopkirk etched his name into legend. In what remains the ultimate "David vs. Goliath" story, Hopkirk’s diminutive Mini Cooper S out-muscled V8-powered Ford Falcons. On the treacherous, icy mountain passes of the French Alps, the Mini’s nimble front-wheel-drive layout proved that agility and balance are the ultimate equalizers against raw horsepower.

The brand’s modern history with the dirt has been a series of "what ifs." In 2011, MINI made a grand, yet tragically short-lived, return to the World Rally Championship (WRC). Partnering with the engineering maestros at Prodrive, the MINI John Cooper Works WRC car was a technical masterpiece. It found immediate success, with Dani Sordo taking the car to a stunning 2nd-place finish at the 2012 Monte Carlo Rally—a poetic nod to Hopkirk. However, corporate restructuring and budget shifts saw the factory program shuttered far too early, leaving fans wondering what a fully developed MINI could have achieved on the world stage.

In 2026, we see a return of the little car that could, well not so little anymore, The "works" effort returns via the MINI John Cooper Works Race Team, led by a name synonymous with the brand’s American road racing success: Luis Perocarpi.

This isn't just a corporate entry; it is a family legacy. The team principal, Luis Perocarpi, will lead from the driver’s seat of a 2025 MINI Countryman ALL4 in the Limited 4-Wheel Drive (L4WD) class. Luis brings a storied background from the IndyCar pits and IMSA paddocks, but his heart has always been in the dirt, fueled by a childhood watching rallies in Chile. Joining him on the stages is his son, Cristian Perocarpi, who will pilot a 2025 MINI JCW in the highly competitive Open 2-Wheel Drive (O2WD) class. 

Cristian has spent the last several seasons proving his mettle in SRO TC America, honing the precise car control required to keep a front-wheel-drive machine at the limit. Both drivers gained prior rally experience by competing in regional events in late 2025, with Luis running the Nemadji Trail Winter Rally and both father and son competing at the Show-Me Rally. Despite their impressive resumes in racing the unpredictable and unforgiving stages of Sno Drift will surly be a new test of skills. 

Both cars were prepared by LAP Motorsports in Indianapolis. Known for building championship-winning touring cars, LAP has adapted the production-based MINI platform for the ever changing conditions of stage rally. 

In L4WD, Luis will contend with top drivers including Travis Pastrana in a new Subaru WRX and Lia Block in a Ford Fiesta, to name a few. The O2WD class sees Cristian face off against strong competitors, with vast experience on the tricky stages of Sno Drift.

One can always dream of a Mini shocker, but this is a new day and experience will win on the day at Sno Drift, nonetheless, its great to see brands like Mini back in the game. 

Pastrana Headlines 2026 Sno*Drift as Semenuk Exits for Europe

 

Report; Neil McDaid 

Photos: Subaru Motorsport USA, Neil McDaid,

(Atlanta, Mich., February 3, 2026) — The 2026 American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship kicks off February 6–7 in Atlanta, Michigan, as the Sno*Drift Rally once again opens the season with an event unlike any other in world rallying: the world’s only snow and ice rally where studded tires are prohibited.

There is a specific kind of madness that takes hold in the Northeast corner of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula every February. It is a place where the wind-chill bites through Nomex suits, and the roads resemble polished mirrors rather than thoroughfares. This is Sno*Drift, the traditional curtain-raiser for the American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship, and as we look toward the 2026 edition, the ghosts of rallies past are howling through the pines.

For over half a century, SnoDrift has been the ultimate equalizer in American stage rally. From its roots in the SCCA ProRally era through the high-octane years of Rally America and into the modern ARA era, the challenge has remained stubbornly, cruelly the same: And yes as the head lines says, No studs. While world-class winter rallies in Sweden or Canada allow tungsten-tipped tires to bite into the ice, SnoDrift competitors must dance on Tractionized, non-studded winter rally tires,  It is a high-speed ballet performed on a skating rink.

A Legacy Written in the Snow

The history of this event is a "Who’s Who" of dirt-track royalty. We remember the dominance of John Buffum, the man who defined American rallying, and the late Ken Block, whose "Hoonigan" style was forged in these snowbanks. We recall the precision of David Higgins, who mastered the art of the "snowbank turn"—using the frozen walls of the stage to pivot a car at 80 mph.

Pastrana has won Sno drift 4 times, but if you want to understand the soul of this rally, you have to look back to 2010. That year, Travis Pastrana arrived in Atlanta with his arm essentially strapped to his chest, nursing a freshly broken collarbone from a freestyle motocross mishap. In any other sport, he wouldn’t have cleared tech inspection. In rally, he strapped into his Subaru, gritted his teeth, and drove through the agony.

Pastrana didn’t just finish; he won. It remains one of the most legendary feats in the annals of the sport—a display of "checked-brain" bravery that cemented his status as the undisputed king of the Sno Drift woods.

The 2026 Grid: The Changing of the Guard

As we move into the 2026 season, the narrative has shifted. With the departure of four-time champion Brandon Semenuk to the European stages, the throne is vacant, and the 2026 entry list is a tantalizing mix of veteran grit and "Next-Gen" speed.

• The Competition: A Privateer’s Dream?
  Pastrana’s class switch has created a tantalizing "David vs. Goliath" scenario for the overall win. His primary threat comes from the privateer ranks: Patrick Gruszka (#243) returns in a Hyundai i20 R5. The R5 platform—purpose-built, nimble, and theoretically faster than a Limited class Subaru—gives Gruszka a legitimate shot at spoiling Pastrana’s homecoming, Javier Castro will be on hand in the A1 Maxx Audi to take advantage should either falter.
  
• Also drawing eyes is Lia Block (#157), who returns to the ARA stages in a RC2 M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3. After a stint in open-wheel racing, Lia is surly going to find the lack of grip at Sno Drift a challenge, Lia will be joined by her dad's long time co-driver Alex Gelsomino. 
• Also returning to Sno*Drift is the 2022 Overall winner Mark Piatkowski, who enters the Naturally Aspirated Four-Wheel-Drive (NA4WD) class alongside co-driver Aris Mantopoulos in their Subaru Impreza. The pair have repeatedly proven their ability to challenge more powerful machinery on Sno*Drift’s slick roads and will be looking to do so once again in 2026.

Sno*Drift is never won on the first stage, but it is frequently lost there. With the loss of the legendary "Bonfire Alley" spectator point this year due to safety reclassifications, the atmosphere will be different—more isolated, more haunting.

Teams will tackle a 16-stage, 108.6-mile itinerary across two days, winding through the forests of northern Michigan. Friday evening begins with a Parc Exposé in Lewiston, followed by night stages on “Meaford–Mills,” “622–East Branch,” “Black River–Camp 30,” and “Huff–Old State,” run as two loops with a 30-minute service at Atlanta High School in between.

Saturday’s action opens with a Parc Exposé at Briley Park in Atlanta before competitors head out onto the “Sage Creek–Von Dette,” “Blue Lake–Fishlab,” “Argens–Hunter,” and “Orchard–Shoreline” stages. After another service at Atlanta High School, teams repeat the first three stages before national entries conclude the rally with the “Orchard–Shoreline” Power Stage, where additional championship points are on the line.

Check back for post Rally report.