Day one, Rally in the 100aw 2026, "The King of the Cattle Guard" has the last say!

Salem Missouri: The story of Friday unfolded as a thrilling battle between the RC2 “rocketships.” keeping the old guard Travis Pastrana at bay for the most part in his L4WD Factory Subaru, but the "King of the Cattle Guard" would have the last say.

The first pass of the two-stage loop witnessed a dynamic exchange in the overall leader board. In SS1 “Hazel Creek,” Tom Williams and Ross Whitlock, driving their Standard Motorsports-prepared Skoda Fabia Rally2, secured the win with a narrow margin over Sean Johnson in the Renault Cleo. Lia Block and Alex Gelsomino showed impressive speed, securing third place while driving a Hyundai 120 N Rally. 

SS2 saw Patrick Gruszka and Florian Barral take the lead and set an impressive pace during the first pass of the “Floyd Tower West.” Williams followed closely in second place, while Johnson rounded out the top three. Notably, driving first on the road proved to be a significant disadvantage for Travis Pastrana and Rhianon Gelsomino in their factory Subaru, causing them to fall back as far as sixth place.

After a brief service, it was onto the second pass of the 2 stage loop. However, due to spectators encroaching on the stage, the second pass of "Floyd Tower West" SS3 was canceled. Consequently, they moved on to SS4, “Hazel Creek 2.” This time, WRC driver Sean Johnson in his Renault Cleo Rally 3 who would set the fastest time, surpassing Patrick Gruska. With a clear road on the second pass, Travis Pastrana started to claw back time lost on the first pass setting the third fastest time.

The crews returned to service before tackling the final stage of the day, “KP to Ollie Long,” also known as the cattle guard stage due to its massive jump over the guard. Despite running first on the road, sweeping gravel, and lacking any lines to follow, Travis Pastrana relied on his years of experience on this stage and threw caution to the wind. He emerged victorious by a significant margin of 12 seconds, with Tom Williams in second place and Patrick Gruszka in third.

As the rally  concluded for day one, Tom William's held the lead, followed closely by Gruszka and Pastrana, who rounded out the top three. Lia Block, who has just recently transitioned to Rally2 in a brand new (to her) car, demonstrated remarkable adaptability throughout the day. She managed to stay in touch with the leader and finished fifth overall, with her co-driver, Alex Gelsomino. 

Overall Standings After Day One (Unofficial)

Position	Driver / Co-Driver	Vehicle	Gap to Lead
1	Tom Williams / Ross Whittock	Škoda Fabia RS Rally2	--
2	Patrick Gruszka / Florian Barral	Hyundai i20 Rally2	+0.2s
3	Travis Pastrana / Rhianon Gelsomino	Subaru WRX (L4WD)	+0.3s
4	Sean Johnson / Cameron fair	Renault Cleo Rally3	+0.23s
5	Lia Block/ Alex Gelsomino	Hyundai i20 Rally2	+0.31

The Speculation: The Saturday Slog

As we look toward tomorrow’s stages—including the technical gauntlet of “Loop Southern South” the tactical battle moves into a new phase.

• The 0.2s Squeeze: With Williams and Gruszka separated by a mere heartbeat, the opening stage tomorrow will be a "maximum attack" affair. Gruszka has shown incredible consistency, but Williams is a specialist on these fast, flowing Missouri roads.
• The Dust Factor: The "hanging dust" that plagued the back of the field today will be even more critical tomorrow. If the Ozark winds remain still, the three-minute gaps between the top cars might not be enough to ensure clear vision, potentially favoring the leader who has the only clean air in the forest.
• Subaru's Fightback: Don't count out Pastrana. Despite being P3, he is the current L4WD leader and has the top-end speed to reel in the Rally2 cars if the road surfaces remain dry and fast. 
• 
  

The stage is set for a classic Missouri shootout. Will the RC2 precision of Williams hold firm, or will the "Cattle Guard" king, Pastrana, find another gear in the Dent County dirt?

Report: Neil McDaid 

Photos: Subaru Motorsport, Tom Williams FB,

The Blue Fade: Is Subaru’s Love Affair With Rallying in the USA, Running Out of Road?

 

Though not on the 2026 ARA Rally Championship calendar, the burble of Subaru's flat-four engine on the limiter still echoes on the iconic rally stages like Oregon Trail’s “Boyd Loop” and New England Forest’s “Concord Pond”. For three decades, Subaru has played a crucial role in rallying, drawing fans to its Impreza WRX and STI models and dominating with drivers like Ari Vatanen, Colin McRae, and Richard Burns on the WRC stage. 

Now Subaru Motorsports USA—run by Vermont SportsCar—is shifting focus from Open 4WD to the Limited 4WD class in 2026, potentially signaling a slow withdrawal from top-tier rally competition and possibly a full withdrawal. 

To truly appreciate the seriousness of the current moment, it's important to consider the events that led us here. When the World Rally Team (SWRT) withdrew from the WRC in 2008. Subaru Rally Team USA stepped up, carrying on the legacy Subaru. 

From the days of SCCA ProRally, through the Rally America period, and into the ARA era, Subaru USA established itself as a dominant force. They didn't merely participate; they set the standard and established themselves as the sole manufacturer consistently supporting American stage rally through its many series changes.

As WRC shifted towards small-displacement hatchbacks, the American scene preserved the spirit of the iconic, large-winged, wide-body sedan. Led by VSC and with the star power of Travis Pastrana, Ken Block, and David Higgins, Subaru reached a broader U.S. audience—many of whom grew up on NASCAR.

But building icons require continued annual investment. And investment requires a "business case."

The shift to L4WD for 2026 is, on the surface, a move toward, in a way. The sidelined Open 4WD car is a magnificent beast—a $500,000+ engineering marvel that shares more DNA with a fighter jet than a street-legal WRX. But here’s the rub: Subaru’s US sales numbers for the current WRX aren't exactly setting the world on fire.

In a market obsessed with three-row SUVs and electrification, the manual-transmission rally rep is becoming a niche within a niche. By moving to L4WD, Subaru is slashing costs and racing a car that is "closer to the customer." But in doing so, they lose the "wow factor" that made them the undisputed kings of the American Rally. If you aren't building the fastest car in the forest, are you still the "Subaru" we fell in love with?

 

There is a growing, cynical whisper in the service park: Is this the beginning of the end for Subaru in the USA? If sales don't rebound, and the competition (looking at you, Toyota) continues to squeeze the market, the bean counters in Tokyo might decide that a few “more” trophies in a American series aren't worth the millions in title sponsorship/development.

 

This brings us to the "Big One." The rumor that simply refuse to die: Subaru’s return to the WRC.

We’ve heard it all. We’ve heard that Mohammed Ben Sulayem is personally brokering a deal. We’ve heard that Akio Toyoda is willing to "lend" Subaru a Toyota engine to get around the fact that Subaru doesn’t currently have a WRC-compliant powerplant.

The Reality? It’s a beautiful dream, but the math is hard to make work.
The WRC is currently in a state of flux, debating its 2027 technical regulations. For Subaru to return, they would need a global platform—likely an EV or a hybrid crossover—that aligns with their corporate "green" goals. The current WRX sedan doesn't fit the Rally1 silhouette.

Unless the FIA creates a "Group Rally2 Plus" or a more affordable top-tier category that allows for a "spec" hybrid system, Subaru’s return remains a romantic fantasy. They are a "safety and lifestyle" brand now, more focused on National Parks than North One TV stages.

 

So, what does this mean for us the rally fan?

I beleive the L4WD move is essentially a defensive tactic. Vermont SportsCar maybe using it to keep operations running while the corporate office determines whether rallying continues to drive sales. 

It’s a classic "wait and see" approach.

With plenty of activity expected in ARA this year, I doubt Subaru will relinquish their lead without a fight. Travis and co-driver Rhianon Gelsomino have unparalleled knowledge of rallies and stages, but relying solely on them is a risky bet. Historically, when Subaru faced stiff competition, running two cars often contributed to their championship victories. Therefore, if Travis—and perhaps a second car—remain at the top and Subaru's sales stay steady, the program will endure.

However, if they end up stuck in the middle of the pack, outperformed by privateer Fords, Hyundai, Skoda Rally2 cars, and with Toyota joining the fray, then it becomes hard to justify maintaining a factory program.

A transition is underway as the "Open" era ends in the USA, with Rally2/RC2 set to lead the future. Hopefully, the "Blue Stars" stay competitive before the forest stages fade away, since it's difficult to picture USA Rally without a Subaru factory team.

Ultimately, rally enthusiasts are mainly drawn by the thrill of watching the quickest car in action. If challenges arise this year, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Subaru decided to bring out the Open car and perhaps enlist an experienced WRC driver who has been on the sidelines.

Report: Neil McDaid

Photos: Subaru Rally USA + Neil McDaid 

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 wheel 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 recorded, 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