Brandon Semenuk has shown he has what it takes to compete this season, stepping up for Subaru in a time of need.
Semenuk’s Season So Far
Brandon Semenuk came into the 2022 ARA season expecting to compete with Travis Pastrana for the top spot. He was correct in a sense, as he is fighting for the top spot, just not against Pastrana. Instead, he’s up against Ken Block. Unfortunately for Semenuk, the playing ground isn’t exactly fair. As Block is driving a former WRC car, modified to ARA regulations but still fast nonetheless. Semenuk hasn’t let that get to him too much, though, as he’s still put three event wins under his belt in seven events entered, along with two additional podiums. Semenuk enters STPR just four points ahead of Block, which isn’t the place he was probably hoping to be at this point in the season.
Misfortune for Brandon Semenuk
Brandon Semenuk’s season hasn’t gone smoothly. With misfortune plaguing him through some spots while helping him in others. Semenuk’s season started a month before Block and Pastrana’s did, as he attended the Sno*Drift Rally. Unfortunately for Semenuk, a gearbox issue would force him to retire from the rally and take home zero points. Although it was the first event of the season, it could be the one that decides the championship as it was an opportunity for Semenuk to gain more points early on and potentially lead by a larger margin now.
Difficult Competition
Brandon Semenuk currently leads the ARA championship standings, but getting to the top wasn’t exactly easy. Ken Block’s Hyundai has been much faster throughout the season. Semenuk has brought his A game so far this year. For Semenuk, maintaining this spot after STPR is critical to his championship hopes. As going into LSPR, second overall isn’t where you necessarily want to be. Semenuk has shown he can stay calm through rough patches and still put down decent times.
Stepping Up When Needed
Brandon Semenuk has stepped up for Subaru Rally Team USA when they needed him to. As Travis Pastrana has been behind the competition basically all season. Semenuk came into the year as the second factory driver for Subaru, with Pastrana being the first. Semenuk has now stepped up into that one spot and has run with it.
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.
