Reigning American Rally Association National Rally2 champion Patrick Gruszka has gained support from Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing for a two-car title assault in 2026.
Gruszka won last year’s RC2 class title in an older-generation Hyundai i20 R5, but this year steps up to the latest-spec i20 N Rally2 as he targets the overall title.
He’ll be partnered at the Revo presented by Green APU team by Alastair Scully, who drove an i20 R5 for the squad last year too.
“I’m really excited,” Gruszka told DirtFish. “Loyalty is something huge and really dear to my heart and we’ve been Hyundai ever since [we switched to RC2 in 2023], and we’re going to continue being with Hyundai so that’s the most important part. Hearing they’re going to be developing the car even further on gravel is definitely fantastic news.
Gruszka is targeting the overall title in his new i20 N Rally2
“This year is all about the overall [title]. I think there’s a good enough opportunity, especially with doing Sno*Drift and the competition sort of taking a break – typically if you look at the points and analyze it a little bit, everybody who did Sno*Drift can hold that lead for about three-four events.
“So if we can do that and maintain while the competition still figures out the car and the driver still has to figure out how rally works and to that extent, we’ll see how we can do. But it’s absolutely a game for the overall.”
One of Gruszka’s biggest contenders this season is expected to be Seth Quintero, who’ll drive a brand-new Toyota GR Corolla RC2 developed specifically for ARA. The Toyota World Rally-Raid driver will start his campaign at next month’s 100 Acre Wood Rally.
Subaru Motorsports USA is represented by Travis Pastrana, who’ll drive his Limited 4WD-spec WRX ARA25L once again in 2026.
Gruszka and Scully will fly the flag for Hyundai in America this year
“It’s an honor to be able to compete at such a high level,” Gruszka added. “We’re going to put our best foot forward and try and improve the absolute most we can to definitely be up to speed with the opposition.
“I think this year’s definitely going to be one of those years that’s exciting in the ARA and hopefully moving forward it’ll continue getting better and better.”
