The American Rally Association has unveiled a revised schedule for the remainder of the 2020 season.
Following the cancellation or postponement of five rounds so far this year owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the US national rally series has been forced to heavily rework the rest of its calendar.
The 2020 season will resume on July 18 with the Southern Ohio Forest Rally, moved one month from its original date.
“We are eager to return to rallying and we are grateful for the determination and work put in by our event organizers in working with local officials for necessary approvals,” said ARA president Doug Shepard.
“The ARA will return in an environment that will ensure safety for our competitors, fans and the host communities.
“Being able to put together a seven-race schedule is a great accomplishment and we can’t wait until July to get back to racing.”
Image: Vermont Sportscar
The Southern Ohio event is subject to Ohio’s state-wide Stay at Home order, which is currently in place until May 29, being lifted as scheduled.
“We have had great conversations with the forestry department, and have our sights set on running in mid-July,” said Jeremiah Johnson, SOFR event chair.
“We are being mindful of the current restrictions and are confident in our ability to provide a premier, national championship event this summer.”
Following that will be the Ojibwe Forests Rally on the final weekend of August, retaining its original date. The Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally will also keep its original date, running on September 18-19.
Show-Me Rally, an event organized by the 100AW Performance Rally Group, is set to run on October 2-3, provided the logistical challenges can be worked out. 100AW’s usual event the 100 Acre Wood Rally was due to run in March but was called off earlier this year.
Lake Superior Performance Rally is expected to run on October 16-17 as planned, but will no longer be the season finale.
Instead that will be the Olympus Rally, which will run on November 14 rather than April 25-26 as had been the plan.
“Our goal from the moment we postponed the April event was to run a 2020 rally,” said Steve McQuaid, event chair for the Olympus Rally.
“We have some flexibility on dates thanks to our opportunity to run on private roads.
“Unfortunately, to host the national we will have to cancel Tour de Forest, but we will bring that event back in 2021.”
Revised 2020 ARA National Schedule as of May 22, 2020
Sno*Drift (completed) January 24
Southern Ohio Forest Rally July 18
Ojibwe Forests Rally August 28-30
Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally September 18-19
Show-Me Rally October 2-3
Lake Superior Performance Rally October 16-17
Olympus Rally November 14
