The 2022 American Rally Association Season continues this weekend with the Lake Superior Performance Rally.
National Championship Rundown
The 2022 American Rally Association National Championship has come down to the wire. As Ken Block and Brandon Semenuk are separated by just two points heading into the Lake Superior Performance Rally. Block would take the Championship lead after a commanding with at the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally last month. Beating longtime rival and reigning champion Travis Pastrana by a minute and 20 seconds. Brandon Semenuk who had a chance to clinch the championship at STPR would go off the road just two stages in, ending any chance of a top-five finish for Semenuk. Semenuk however would still take home six points from the event. As he would tie teammate Travis Pastrana for second on the Power stage, along with taking home two points for finishing the rally 33rd. Although Semenuk didn’t take home a significant amount of points, his result at STPR would slightly increase his chances of winning the Championship. As now Semenuk will only drop six points, rather than the 17 he would’ve before STPR. Block is still set to drop 17 points.
O2WD Championship Rundown
O2WD Champion Seamus Burke will not be attending LSPR. After clinching the title at STPR last month. There will be a battle for second however as Lia Block and Michael Hooper are set to face off. Block currently sits fifth, 21 points behind Hooper, who sits in second.
LN4 Championship Rundown
The LN4 Championship title is still up for grabs. With just 10 points separating first and third place. Chris Sladek would take this Championship lead after Carapetyan would retire on SS13 due to a DNF. Carapetyan currently sits second, eight points behind Sladek. Mark Piatkowski sits third, just two points behind Carapetyan.
All Or Nothing
The Lake Superior Forest Rally is all or nothing for Ken Block and Brandon Semenuk. As it’s the final event of the 2022 American Rally Association National calendar. It is also the round that will decide who wins the 2022 ARA National Championship. Ken Block is all too familiar with LSPR deciding the championship, as in 2013 LSPR would also be the championship-deciding round. It would see Ken Block face off against American Rally legend David Higgins. Unfortunately for Block, his chances of winning the title would come to an end just a few stages in. After Block would go off the road and roll multiple times, ending his rally.
Subaru Rally Team USA Rundown
Subaru Rally Team USA have found themselves in a bit of an unknown spot. As the team has dominated the American Rally scene for over a decade. Without any real challenge but that all changed this season. As Ken Block would bring a 2021 Hyundai i20 WRC stateside, immediately making Block a threat. Brandon Semenuk seemingly stepped up to the challenge as Travis Pastrana would be behind the pace for much of the season. Pastrana’s hopes of retaining the championship are now officially over. Meaning he will now likely spend LSPR helping teammate Brandon Semenuk in any way he can.
Hoonigan Racing Division Rundown
Head Hoonigan in charge Ken Block won’t be the only member of the Hoonigan Racing Division in a championship fight this weekend. As Ken’s daughter Lia will be in a fight of her own. Lia currently sits fourth in the 2WD Championship and has a chance to move up to second overall this weekend.
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.
