Two-time world champion Marcus Grönholm will join JRD Motorsport for the launch of the team’s all-new ARC2 rally car in Indianapolis on Thursday.
The Georgia-based operation has been developing the car, based off a Chevrolet Sonic platform with a two-liter turbocharged engine, throughout the 2025 season. The covers come off the ARC2 at the PRI Show which runs from Thursday to Saturday – revealing a livery which caught Grönholm’s eye.
Grönholm will start testing soon, with the aim of having cars in place for the start of next year’s ARA season.
“JRD Motorsport’s livery is very well thought-out,” said Grönholm. “Seeing the Swedish and Finnish flags together is always nice, as we’re just across the water from each other. When I was in the WRC, Sweden and Finland were my two favorite rallies. I also speak Swedish as a first language. Everything about this project brings up positive feelings.
“It’s been some time since I was last in the United States as a driver, but I look back fondly on racing here at Pikes Peak and in rallycross after I retired from the WRC.
“The US motorsport vibe is relaxed, but totally professional. This atmosphere is something I enjoy very much. I hope I can make some new memories on this adventure with JRD Motorsport.”
Aimed at delivering Rally2-level performance, JRD CEO and director of engineering Johan Ragnarsson sees a big future for the car.
“Rallying in the U.S. has needed a stateside solution for quite some time,” he said. “With the ARC2, our goal is to remove a major hurdle for teams and drivers – the cost and complexity of importing competitive machinery. This livery is the first visual step, but it represents something much bigger: rally cars built here, supported here, and competing here.”
