The 2025 Olympus Rally, a cornerstone of the American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship, delivered a weekend of high drama and thrilling performances in the forests of Washington State. Brandon Semenuk, piloting the No. 1 Subaru WRX for Subaru Motorsports USA (SMUSA), clinched his fourth consecutive Olympus victory by a razor-thin margin of 6.9 seconds over Conner Martell. Meanwhile, rally icon Travis Pastrana made a notable return to competition, debuting the new Subaru WRX ARA25L in the Limited Four-Wheel Drive (L4WD) class.
Semenuk’s commanding lead narrowed by late mishap
Semenuk and co-driver Keaton Williams dominated the early stages, winning 11 of 12 and building a commanding three-minute lead by Sunday morning. However, during the Dayton 2 stage, a misjudged corner led to an off-road excursion, damaging the car’s hood. The hood subsequently flew up, obstructing Semenuk’s view for five miles and causing a significant time loss. Despite this setback, the duo managed to maintain their lead and, after quick repairs, delivered a strong performance in the final stages to secure the win.
Martell’s strong challenge and post-event protest
Conner Martell, driving the No. 21 Kubota-backed Subaru WRX with co-driver Alex Gelsomino, capitalised on Semenuk’s mishap to close the gap significantly. Martell filed a post-event protest, alleging that Semenuk’s damaged vehicle impeded his progress during the stage. Despite the protest, Semenuk’s victory stood, highlighting the intense competition between the drivers.
Pastrana’s promising return in L4WD class
Travis Pastrana returned to ARA competition, debuting the new Subaru WRX ARA25L in the L4WD class. Co-driven by Rhianon Gelsomino, Pastrana faced engine issues on the first day but showcased the car’s potential with a strong performance on day two. The ARA25L, developed by Vermont SportsCar, features a turbocharged 2.4-liter FA24 BOXER engine producing approximately 315 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, adhering to L4WD regulations emphasizing cost-effective competition.
Looking ahead
With this victory, Semenuk continues his pursuit of a fourth consecutive ARA championship. Pastrana’s return and the debut of the ARA25L signal an exciting development in the L4WD class, promising increased competition and accessibility for aspiring rally drivers.
Overall Olympus Rally Results
01: B. Semenuk/K. Williams (Subaru WRX ARA24) – 2h 10m 19.7s
02: C. Martell/A. Gelsomino (Subaru WRX STI) + 06.9s
03: R. Booth/N. Dobbs (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 6m 40.8s
04: P. Gruszka/D. Persein (Hyundai i20 R5) + 9m 30.4s
05: N. Allen/M. Brady (Ford Fiesta Rally3) + 12m 42.7s
06: J. Olivares/K. Miller (Ford Fiesta Rally3) + 14m 34.0s
07: S. Johnston/A. Kihurani (Peugeot 208 Rally4) + 15m 10.4s
08: A. Raferty/K. Skucas (Subaru WRX STI) + 16m 35.1s
09: T. Pastrana/R. Gelsomino (Subaru WRX ARA25L) + 17m 31.9s
10: M. Arsenault/M. Balhacene (Peugeot 208 Rally4) + 19m 36.3s
View the full results of the rally here.