Next year will deliver a new dawn for America’s premier rally series with an all-new promoter and sponsor for the American Rally Association.
Founded by Lance Smith, one of US rallying’s highest profile and most prolific characters, RallyForward will enhance and develop the sport through a multi-year agreement focusing on all ARA activities, including the ARA National, East, Central and West Regional Championships.
Kubota Tractor Corporation (presenting sponsor and official land management equipment supplier) joins longstanding series supporter Subaru of America for the 2025 season.
While the United States Auto Club (USAC) has released promotion rights to RallyForward, it will continue to manage all competition aspects, including licensing, rules and insurance, and key ARA event officials will remain to ensure continuity and consistency.
“I love everything about rally racing,” said Smith, who founded Vermont SportsCar which has managed operations of Subaru Motorsports USA, Subaru of America’s motorsports arm for almost two decades. “The sport has been extremely good to me over the years and I want to return the favor.
“My intent is to share the excitement and fun of rallying with as many people as possible, making the sport more accessible and more enjoyable for everyone, from the newest of fans to the most experienced professional participants. My hope is to help build American rally into a sustainable business ecosystem that will support organizers, builders and teams, corporate partners and anyone who authentically wants to follow their passion into rally.”
ARA series manager Preston Osborn admitted interest in the sport Stateside is growing.
He said: “I’ve spent more time talking with automotive and tire original equipment manufacturers in the last three months than I have in the last four years of working with this series, and the vast majority of them approached us, rather than the other way around.
“The same is true for teams, ARA is very much on the radar of domestic and international rally organizations. But our priority is reinvestment in the series and making an immediate impact on the experience for our competitors, partners and organizers, volunteers and fans.
“American rally, with its unique combination of authentic automotive adventure, high-performance passion and impressive growth, offers unparalleled marketing value to potential partners and Kubota has recognized and acted on that opportunity.”
The 2025 ARA National Championship presented by Kubota kicks off with the Sno*Drift Rally (February 7/8) in Atlanta, Michigan.
