Rally2 Rebellion at the 100 Acre Wood

Salem, Missouri, Round 2 of the 2026 ARA championship, Rally in the 100 Acre Wood. This high-speed sprint through the Ozarks demands absolute commitment, with blinding dust or deep water crossings, depending on the weather. The stakes are always high, but this year, with Subaru no longer fielding two Open class cars, a new crop of young drivers  setting their sights on the overall podium.

The big story? It has to be the world debut of the Toyota GR Corolla RC2, the car was built/prepared in Vermont by the subsidiary of Vermont Sport car, so basically built by VSC, with lot of input from Toyota WRC, team boss Jari-Matti Latvala, has even been to the USA to test the car during development. . Seeing a factory-backed Toyota on American gravel feels like a fever dream for those of us who remember the ProRally days of the '80s. Piloting this monster is Dakar sensation Seth Quintero, and let’s be honest, the pressure is immense. Can a desert specialist find the rhythm on these lightning-fast, undulating Missouri stages, keeping it on the correct side of the camber and out of the trees will be job number 1. 

Coming off a disastrous last stage DNF on round one,  Lia Block, is back for more with Alex Gelsomino calling the notes, she’s finding a level of consistency that’s starting to look very familiar to those of us who watched her father dominate these woods. Word is that Lia will debut a Hyundai Rally2 car which will be run by PCRS out of Ireland, word also has it, that Patrick Gruszka’s Hyundai will now be run by PCRS, after his DNF at Sno drift. This car is a big step up for Lia and she definitely will be a contender for the podium. 

The return of Tom Williams. The 2022 RC2 champion and former WRC competitor is back, and he’s swapped his familiar Ford for a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 prepared by Standard Motorsport. Williams isn't here to make up the numbers; with a more level playing field with Subaru’s open class cars sidelined, an overall podium is not out of the question for Tom.  

And then there are the icons, Travis Pastrana remains the spiritual heart of the ARA, a man who has won this event multiple times and knows every rock in the Mark Twain National Forest. As mentioned Subaru’s open class cars are out 2026 so Travis will continue as the soul driver for the team in the newly developed w L4WD car.

Rounding out a stacked field will be Irish driver Aoife Raftery, a DirtFish-backed talent stepping into a Ford Fiesta Rally3. Also we can't not mention the ever-present threat of privateer and round one winner, Mark Piatkowski, who has moved to an L4WD for 100AW.

Because of the unique, super-fast surface of Rally in the 100AW, going out first on the road can often be an advantage due to the hard-packed gravel with very limited to no gravel sweeping. It's really difficult to predict a winner for this one. Of course, Travis would be an easy pick, but with the new car still having some issues when pushed hard, it's wide open.

Report/Photo: Neil McDaid 

TOYOTA REIGNS SUPREME: Historic 1-2-3-4 Sweep of WRC Sweden 2026!

Report: Neil McDaid

UMEÅ, SWEDEN — In a display of clinical dominance that will be etched into the WRC history books, Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin secured a masterful victory at Rally Sweden 2026. As the sun set over the frozen forests of Umeå today, February 15th, the service park witnessed a rare feat: a complete Toyota GAZOO Racing lockout of the top four positions, the first back-to-back podium sweep by a manufacturer since 2010.

The Final Assault: Ice and Iron Will

Evans began the final leg with a 13.3-second cushion, but in the world of stage rallying, that gap can evaporate in a single snowbank. However, the Welshman was "chuffed and relieved" after managing the lead across the day's three final snow-covered tests. While Thierry Neuville salvaged pride and maximum points by winning the Wolf Power Stage by a razor-thin 0.078 seconds over Evans, the overall glory belonged to the Yaris squad.

Katsuta’s Valiant Charge and Pajari’s Podium Debut

Takamoto Katsuta pushed his teammate to the limit, finishing just 14.3 seconds adrift to secure a stellar second place. The biggest story of the weekend, however, was Sami Pajari. In only his second ever WRC podium finish, the young Finn drove with maturity beyond his years to claim third. Oliver Solberg, rebounding from earlier heartbreak, clawed his way back to fourth, ensuring the historic Toyota clean sweep on home soil.

Hyundai and M-Sport: A Day of Damage Limitation

For Hyundai Shell Mobis, it was a weekend to forget. Despite Neuville's late-stage heroics, the team struggled for traction, with Adrien Fourmaux finishing as the best of the i20 N fleet in fifth. M-Sport Ford showed flashes of brilliance through Martins Sesks, who demonstrated stage-winning pace, but they eventually had to settle for eighth and ninth with Jon Armstrong and Josh McErlean.

WRC2: Korhonen the King of Snow

In the Rally2 category, Roope Korhonen delivered a masterclass in snow driving, leading from the front to secure victory by 11.2 seconds over Teemu Suninen. The Finnish pair ensured that Toyota’s dominance extended even into the support categories.

Rally Sweden 2026 Final Results

Top 5 Overall Finishers (Rally1)

| Pos | Driver / Co-Driver | Vehicle | Time / Gap |

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| 1 | Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | 2h 35m 53.1s |

| 2 | Takamoto Katsuta / Aaron Johnston | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | +14.3s |

| 3 | Sami Pajari / Marko Salminen | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | +46.0s |

| 4 | Oliver Solberg / Elliott Edmondson | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | +1m 11.6s |

| 5 | Adrien Fourmaux / Alexandre Coria | Hyundai i20 N Rally1 | +1m 50.3s |

Top 5 Finishers (Rally2 / WRC2)

Pos	Driver / Co-Driver	Vehicle	Gap
1	Roope Korhonen / Anssi Viinikka	Toyota GR Yaris Rally2	2h 46m 29.3s
2	Teemu Suninen / Janni Hussi	Toyota GR Yaris Rally2	+11.2s
3	Lauri Joona / Antti Linnaketo	Škoda Fabia RS Rally2	+26.4s
4	Isak Reiersen / Stefan Gustavsson	Škoda Fabia RS Rally2	+1m 45.6s
5	Mille Johansson / Johan Grönvall	Ford Fiesta Rally2	+2m 33.6s

TGR RULE IN THE FROZEN NORTH: Katsuta Snatches Lead as Solberg’s Home Dream Hits the Banks!

 

UMEA, SWEDEN
 — If anyone ever doubted the unforgiving nature of the Swedish snow, today’s second leg of Rally Sweden provided a cold, hard reminder. In a day defined by fluctuating fortunes and the "sweeping" disadvantage of being first on the road, Takamoto Katsuta emerged from the forest shadows to snatch a 2.8-second lead over his Toyota GAZOO Racing teammate Elfyn Evans.

The Morning of Misery: Solberg’s Slide
The day began with home hero Oliver Solberg in the ascendancy, but his fairytale home win took a brutal hit on SS3 Andersvattnet 1. Running first on the road, Solberg suffered sudden snap oversteer, sliding deep into a snowbank and damaging a tire. The mistake cost him over 30 seconds and dropped him to sixth overall. A frustrated Solberg admitted, "I completely underestimated how difficult it would be to be first on the road".

Toyota's Tactical Masterclass
As Solberg faltered, Elfyn Evans seized control, building a 14.5-second cushion by the midday service. However, the afternoon loop saw a relentless charge from Takamoto Katsuta. Capitalizing on improving stage conditions, Katsuta chipped away at Evans’ lead before finally leapfrogging him on the final stage of the day. "Taka" now leads a commanding Toyota 1-2-3, with rising star Sami Pajari holding a solid third.
Chaos in the Banks
The "snow-dust" wasn't just a problem for Toyota. Hyundai's Thierry Neuville endured a "brutal" day, losing over a minute after a snowbank excursion on SS3 that left him with a badly misted windscreen. Meanwhile, M-Sport Ford faced a nightmare loop with all three Puma Rally1 cars suffering tire issues.

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Rally Sweden Standings (End of Friday, Feb 13)
Top 5 Rally1 Finishers (Overall)
• 1. Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota GR Yaris) – 1h 10m 33.7s
• 2. Elfyn Evans (Toyota GR Yaris) – +2.8s
• 3. Sami Pajari (Toyota GR Yaris) – +22.2s
• 4. Esapekka Lappi (Hyundai i20 N) – +45.9s
• 5. Adrien Fourmaux (Hyundai i20 N) – +50.3s
Top 5 Rally2 Finishers (WRC2)
• 1. Roope Korhonen (Toyota GR Yaris) – 1h 15m 15.6s
• 2. Teemu Suninen (Toyota GR Yaris) – +10.2s
• 3. Lauri Joona (Škoda Fabia RS) – +25.4s
4. Isak Reiersen (Škoda Fabia RS) – +1m 
5. Mille Johansson (Ford Fiesta Mk II) – +2m 33.6s
• Report: Neil McDaid 
• Images: TGR Media 

Solberg Survives Scare to Retain Monte-Carlo Lead on Day of Alpine Chaos

MONTE CARLO – The treacherous slopes of the French Alps lived up to their fearsome reputation on Saturday, turning Day 3 of the 2026 Rallye Monte-Carlo into a high-stakes game of survival. In a day defined by black ice, slush, and snowbanks, Toyota’s young sensation Oliver Solberg defied the odds—and physics—to maintain his lead, despite a heart-stopping off-road excursion that nearly ended his fairytale run.

The drama peaked on SS12 (La Bréole / Bellaffaire), where Solberg, pushing to defend his advantage against teammates Elfyn Evans and Sébastien Ogier, lost the rear of his GR Yaris Rally1 on a patch of fresh snow. The car ploughed through a fence and into a field, leaving spectators breathless. In a display of raw talent and luck, Solberg kept the throttle pinned, wrestling the machine back onto the tarmac to not only survive but incredibly win the stage.

"I tell you: my god! That is the craziest stage I've ever done in my life," a shell-shocked Solberg said at the stage end. "I had ruts in my pacenotes, I was just trying to follow them and on one exit there was full snow... I was lucky. Very lucky."

While Solberg escaped, others were not so fortunate. The unforgiving conditions claimed Toyota’s Sami Pajari, who crashed out of fourth place on the morning loop after sliding wide into a snowbank and striking a tree. Hyundai’s Hayden Paddon also fell victim to the ice, sliding off the road and losing over four minutes as spectators scrambled to push his i20 N back into play, dropping him out of the top 10. Rookie Jon Armstrong continued his trial by fire, clinging to an impressive sixth overall despite a puncture and clipping a bridge on SS10.

As the sun set, the action moved to the glitter of the Principality for the SS13 Super Special Stage on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit. Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux dazzled the crowds with the fastest time, but the night belonged to Toyota. The Japanese manufacturer locks out the podium places heading into Sunday, with Solberg holding a precarious lead of just over a minute.

Sébastien Ogier, chasing a record-extending 10th Monte victory, appeared resigned to a podium finish after struggling to match the leader's pace in the slush. "Top spot is too far," the Frenchman admitted. "I didn't put on a show tonight, I think we all look ridiculous here [on slicks], but that's how it is."

Top 10 Overall Classification (After Day 3)

1. O. Solberg / E. Edmondson (Toyota) – 2:11:13.1
2. E. Evans / S. Martin (Toyota) +1:04.7
3. S. Ogier / V. Landais (Toyota) +1:31.3
4. A. Fourmaux / A. Coria (Hyundai) +6:13.8
5. T. Neuville / M. Wydaeghe (Hyundai) +7:29.5
6. J. Armstrong / S. Byrne (M-Sport Ford) +10:06.1
7. L. Rossel / G. Mercoiret (Citroën - WRC2) +11:01.8
8. G. Munster / L. Louka (M-Sport Ford) +11:24.8
9. T. Katsuta / A. Johnston (Toyota) +11:47.1
10. R. Daprà / L. Guglielmetti (Skoda - WRC2) +12:29.5

Sunday Preview: The Col de Turini Awaits
The final day promises a sting in the tail with four stages covering 71.90km. Crews will face two loops of Col de Braus and the legendary La Bollène-Vésubie / Moulinet, which crosses the iconic Col de Turini. With ice reported on the pass, the Power Stage offers one last chance for heartbreak or glory. Solberg stands on the brink of a career-defining victory, but in Monte Carlo, the rally isn't over until the engines are silenced in the harbor.

Report: Neil McDaid 

Solberg Stuns in the Dark: Ice and Fog Define Chaotic Monte-Carlo Opener

GAP, FRANCE – The 94th Rallye Monte-Carlo roared into life on Thursday night, delivering a quintessential "Night of the Long Knives" that turned the leaderboard on its head. Under the pitch-black skies of the French Alps, the 2026 season opener reminded the world that in the WRC, bravery often outweighs machinery. But it wasn't a veteran master taming the elements; it was 24-year-old Oliver Solberg, promoted to the factory Toyota Gazoo Racing squad, who emerged from the frozen chaos as the shock leader.

The drama began on SS1 (Toudon – Saint-Antonin), a classic test returning after a 17-year hiatus. On wet but manageable tarmac, Elfyn Evans drew first blood for Toyota, edging Solberg by 5.6 seconds. However, the rally truly began on SS2 (Esclangon – Seyne-les-Alpes). The notorious stage, absent since 2016, was a nightmare of black ice and slush. While others tiptoed, Solberg threw caution to the wind, decimating the field with a time over 30 seconds faster than his nearest rival. His daring performance on the studded rubber vaulted him into a commanding lead, leaving legends like Sébastien Ogier and Thierry Neuville trailing in his wake.

The final test of the night, SS3 (Vaumeilh – Claret), descended into farce as thick fog blanketed the mountain. Visibility dropped to near zero, prompting furious radio messages from crews. Sébastien Ogier, hunting his 11th Monte victory, mastered the gloom to set the fastest time before the stage was eventually red-flagged for safety reasons. The neutralization caused confusion, but the headline remained: Solberg heads to the overnight halt with a stunning 44.2-second cushion.

In the Rally1 field, the surprises continued with rookie Jon Armstrong. The Irishman, making his top-flight debut in the M-Sport Ford Puma, drove with maturity beyond his years. despite a scare on SS3 where he slid off the road, the red flag protocol saw him awarded a notional time, keeping him firmly in the fight for a podium position—a sensational start for the underdog.

It was a disastrous night, however, for Toyota's other rising star. Sami Pajari and co-driver Marko Salminen saw their rally end almost before it began. Pajari crashed heavily early in the loop, retiring his GR Yaris Rally1 on the spot. Both crew members were reported unhurt, but the damage to the car was terminal for the day.

In WRC2, the battle was equally fierce. The much-anticipated return of Lancia saw a mixed start, with their Ypsilon Rally2 machines showing pace but struggling for consistency against the established order. Frenchman Eric Camilli capitalized on his local knowledge to lead the category in his Škoda Fabia RS, holding off a spirited charge from Léo Rossel in the Citroën.

As crews head to Gap for the short overnight rest, the service park is buzzing. The tire lottery has only just begun, and with more snow forecast for Friday's leg, the mountain is far from finished.

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Standings After Day 1 (SS3)

Overall Top 10 (WRC1 & WRC2 Mix)

1. Oliver Solberg (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) – 38:42.5* (Time est.)
2. Elfyn Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) +44.2s
3. Sébastien Ogier (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) +1:08.7
4. Jon Armstrong (Ford Puma Rally1) +1:12.4
5. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) +1:15.9
6. Adrien Fourmaux (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) +1:44.0
7. Hayden Paddon (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) +1:55.2
8. Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) +2:10.5
9. Eric Camilli (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +3:45.1 [1st WRC2]
10. Léo Rossel (Citroën C3 Rally2) +3:52.8 [2nd WRC2]

WRC2 Top 5

1. Eric Camilli (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2)
2. Léo Rossel (Citroën C3 Rally2) +7.7s
3. Chris Ingram (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) +14.2s
4. Arthur Pelamourgues (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) +25.6s
5. Cédric Cherain (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +38.9s

(Note: Times for SS3 are provisional due to the red flag and notional times awarded to later runners.)

Report: Neil McDaid