The 2023 American Rally Association season kicks off in less than a week with the Sno*Drift rally. Find out what you need to know below.
Semenuk’s Back
2022 American Rally Champion Brandon Semenuk will race Sno*Drift this weekend. Semenuk will drive the same car he did last season with aero modifications as well as a larger turbo restrictor to meet the ARA’s new regulations. Much like last season Semenuk will be the only Subaru Rally Team USA driver attending Sno*Drift. As Travis Pastrana is taking a step back from rally this season.
New Car For Tilley
Kyle Tilley will return to the American Rally Association after a hiatus that started after the Oregon Trail Rally last season. Tiley will drive a 2021 Hyundai i20 R5+. Tilley would place third at Sno*Drift last season. The ERA Motorsports crew didn’t have much time to get Tilley’s new car prepped. As the car would only pass through US customs on Monday, less than a week before the rally. Tilley would purchase the car from Spain and would have to swap the car from Tarmac spec to Gravel spec before the event.
New Car For Gruszka
Kyle Tilley won’t be the only driver near the top with a new car this weekend. As Patrick Gruszka also has a new car. That new car also happens to be a Hyundai R5, this one is a 2019 model and not a R5+ however. Nevertheless Gruszka is expected to be in the top five of the rally this weekend.
A Trio Of Canadians
A trio of drivers from the Canadian Rally Championship will make their way down to Sno*Drift this weekend. As Vincent Trudel, Jason Bailey and reigning Canadian Rally Champion Jerome Mailloux will make the trip. Mailloux should be a threat for Brandon Semenuk this week. Although Semenuk may have experience on these roads, Mailloux has more experience on the snow. Mailloux would place fourth at Rally Perce-Neige last weekend. This came after Mailloux chose the wrong tires leading to time lost, although he did lead the rally before that point.
Another Reigning Champion
Brandon Semenuk and Jerome Mailloux won’t be the only reigning national champions of their respective championships competing this weekend. As three time Mexican champion and two time NACAM champion Ricardo Cordero Jr. will also compete at Sno*Drift this weekend. Cordero will drive a 2018 Citroen C3 R5 this weekend. Cordero would compete at Sno*Drift last season, but would unfortunately retire from the rally.
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.
