Day One of the 2022 Ojibwe Forests Rally has passed. Travis Pastrana has taken the lead after day one.
First Loop
Travis Pastrana would take the lead out of the first loop after winning SS1 and taking a 9.1-second lead over Block. SS1 would be Pastrana’s only stage win of the first loop as Block would win the remaining three stages. Block would cut Pastrana’s lead down to 6.0 seconds at the end of the first loop. Semenuk would finish the loop 31.1 seconds behind Pastrana.
Second Loop
Travis Pastrana would remain in the lead after the second loop. Much like the first loop, Pastrana would only win one stage on this loop. Also like the first loop, Block would win the remaining three stages. Block was able to end the day 5.5 seconds behind Pastrana. Brandon Semenuk would end the day two minutes and 24.7 seconds behind Block. Block would experience a puncture on SS5 after clipping a rock, this caused Block to lose extra time on Pastrana, who he had beaten on every other split.
Times After Day One
- Pastrana/Gelsomino 1:00:32.0
- Block/Gelsomino 1:00:37.5
- Semenuk/Williams 1:02:56.7
- Fedoff/Romero 1:08:28.5
- Carapetyan/Hall 1:08:37.0
Sweeping The Road
Ken Block got the privilege of sweeping the road on Day One. Sweeping the road isn’t the position you want to be in while fighting for a championship, but somebody’s gotta do it. Block however would make the best of his road position ending the day 5.5 seconds behind Pastrana. Block will start the second day second on the road.
Push Needed On Day Two
Brandon Semenuk has never placed higher than third at the Ojibwe Forests Rally, and if things stay how they are now that won’t change. Semenuk currently leads the 2022 ARA National Championship, but a third-place finish will affect his chances of winning the championship and maintaining the championship lead. Semenuk would experience a puncture on the first loop, causing him to lose time.
The second loop wasn’t much better for Semenuk as he raced the entire second loop without a rear wing. This was caused by Semenuk hitting something which pushed him into a rut, Semenuk was forced to puncture a tire to free himself but the hinges on the wing forced it to come off. Semenuk when asked how the day was by a Subaru Motorsports USA employee at the end of SS8 would say “Frustrating Day. Nothing seemed to go right, but we’re here just gotta keep it going.”
What To Expect From Day Two
Day two will likely look much of the same as the first day with a battle between rivals Ken Block and Travis Pastrana. With crucial championship points on the line, both drivers will give it their all.
Can He Keep It Up?
The biggest question heading into day two is if Travis Pastrana can keep his pace and maintain the lead. Pastrana led the whole day after taking the lead on SS1. Travis Pastrana has won the Ojibwe Forests Rally seven times. Pastrana has been behind the pace all season thus far and is without a win so far this season as well. If Pastrana wants his championship hopes to stay alive he has to win here.
My name is Joe Moore. I am a writer for Belly Up Hockey, Belly Up Racing, and Belly Up Sports. You can find me on Twitter.
