The 2023 ARA season continues this weekend with round two, the Rally In The 100 Acre Wood.
Championship Rundown
Brandon Semenuk’s title defence would start strong. As Semenuk would take a dominant win at Sno*Drift last month to take an early championship lead. Semenuk would take home the max possible points at the event to take a six-point lead in the championship over Tom Williams. Williams was the only driver at Sno*Drift would even come close to competing with Semenuk. Kyle Tilley would take home third place at Sno*Drift and fifth on the Powerstage to take an early third place in the championship. Unfortunately, Tilley’s chances of keeping a top-three spot past the Rally In The 100 Acre Wood are slim as he will not be at the event. With Tilley not at the event Patrick Gruszka will have an ample chance to move into third place or higher in the championship standings. Gruszka sits just three points back from Tilley and nine points behind Williams for second.
McKenna Returns
Barry McKenna will return to the American Rally Association for the first time since the Olympus Rally last season. The 2020 ARA championship will drive his 2021 Ford Fiesta WRC. How is this possible? Well due to the new ARA technical regulations McKenna can’t use the exact same car he did last season or the season prior. McKenna can use the car if he does make the necessary changes to get the car to meet the regulations. Which is what he will have done. McKenna will likely be the only driver who can match Brandon Semenuk’s pace this weekend. As the Rally In The 100 Acre Wood is a rather fast event, and the R5’s don’t have the same top-end speed that Semenuk’s Subaru does.
RC2 Rundown
The RC2 entry list is rather busy for 100 Acre Wood. As joining the RC2 regulars Tom Williams and Patrick Gruszka will be Allen Dobasu, Paul Rowley and Myron Georgakopoulos. Paul Rowley will drive the oldest of the RC2 cars, as he’ll be behind the wheel of his 2011 Ford Fiesta R5. Myron Georgakopoulos will be behind the wheel of his 2015 Citroen DS3, which is coming off a second overall finish at the Sandblast Rally last weekend. Allen Dobasu will drive his 2019 Ford Fiesta R5.
Lia and Lucy Block Return
Lucy and Lia Block will make their return to Rally this weekend. This comes after the sudden and tragic passing of Rally Icon Ken Block. The mother and daughter duo will make their return at an event that was one of Ken’s favorites. As Ken has won the Rally In The Hundred Acre Wood seven times throughout his career. With Ken almost taking his eighth win at the event last season. Unfortunately the stars wouldn’t align for Ken as a deer would cost him his 45 second lead, the rally win and likely the 2022 ARA Championship. Lucy will drive her 2021 Ford Fiesta Rally3 with Ken’s longtime co-driver Alex Gelsomino by her side. While Lia Block will be driving a new car this season. As Lia has traded her Ford Fiesta for a O2WD 2013 Subaru BRZ. 2021 ARA Co-Driver Champion Rhiannon Gelsomino will co-drive for Lia this season.
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.
