Lia Block secured the overall victory of the 2026 ARA National Championship at the Ojibwe Forests Rally in Minnesota, finishing the two‑day event in 1:44:23.1 ahead of Javier Olivares (1:46:24.9) and securing a win in the highly contested RC2 division.
Hyundai i20 N Rally2 Delivers a Dominant Performance
Driving Block House Racing’s Hyundai i20 N Rally2, Block held an uninterrupted lead from the first stage and concluded the rally with a margin of more than two minutes over the nearest competitor. Alex Gelsomino accompanied her as co‑driver throughout the event.
Block’s triumph marks her fourth consecutive podium on the ARA circuit, following top‑three finishes at the 2026 Olympus Rally, Southern Ohio Forest Rally, and Rally Colorado. “My first overall ARA win – hard fought and led from stage one, finished with a 2‑minute lead. This one has been a long time coming with the disappointment at Snow Drift earlier in the year. Hard work pays off. Thank you to the whole team, car was top‑notch this weekend,” she posted on Instagram.
Young Champion Shines in O2WD Division
At 16, Block became the youngest driver to clinch the ARA Open Two‑Wheel‑Drive (O2WD) title in 2023, setting a precedent for her rising career.
Season Outlook and Family Legacy
Block currently leads the standings, 21 points ahead of Seth Quintero, and is poised for the final two rounds: the Overmountain Rally Tennessee (September 18‑19) and Lake Superior Performance Rally (October 9‑10). The driver is the daughter of late rally legend Ken Block, who passed from a snowmobile accident in 2023.
In addition to her rally feats, Block ended the 2025 F1 Academy season ninth overall and captured a victory in Singapore, showcasing versatility across motorsport disciplines.
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