Lia Block will fight for the 2026 American Rally Association National Championship in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2, starting from this week’s Rally in the 100 Acre Wood.
The 19-year-old became the youngest ever winner of the ARA’s Open 2WD title in 2023, but in 2024 and ’25 made a switch to single-seater racing, representing Williams in F1 Academy.
This year, however, she’s back where she belongs, starting her rallying comeback with a drive to what was second place on the road (before disqualification for outside assistance) at February’s Sno*Drift Rally.
That Rally3 outing was a one-off, as she and co-driver Alex Gelsomino will step up to Rally2 for the rest of the eight-round calendar.
“I’m stepping up to the RC2 class in a Hyundai Rally2 car, which is very exciting for me,” Block told DirtFish.
Lia tesing her new ride for 2026: a Hyundai i20 N Rally2
“Obviously a big step up from the 2023 championship and the Rally3 car, but I believe in myself and my ability to learn new cars and new disciplines very quickly, so I’m just really excited for the road ahead.”
Lia’s late father, Ken Block, raced a Hyundai in his last full rallying season, fighting Subaru Motorsports USA’s Brandon Semenuk all the way in an i20 Coupe WRC.
Lia’s sights are firmly set on claiming the title her dad narrowly missed out on.
“I think it’s very, very possible to be fighting for the championship and that’s what I will be working towards,” she said. “Obviously, as you know, rally is a very unpredictable sport and things can happen two corners from the finish, and I learned that already this year!
“I think I’ve already showed my talent in rally by winning the rear-wheel-drive championship in 2023, but the overall championship is definitely what I’m going for, and of course it’s a big deal.
“I think this year won’t have a lack of competition, and I think that’s going to be the most difficult part. But I really, really do look forward to it. It’s about restating myself in the world of rally.
Block doesn't feel she has much to prove, but is determined to at least fight for the title
“So I’ll just be taking it as a learning opportunity every time I’m back in the car and having fun because I think that’s the most important thing, and definitely what I’ve missed from rally in the previous years.”
Block will proudly carry DirtFish Women in Motorsport stickers on her i20 N Rally2 for 2026.
She smiled: “I’m super proud to represent everything that that stands for. As a female in motorsports it is a difficult time for us. It’s not necessarily that we can’t be at the top of the sport, but it’s about helping each other get there and encouraging other females, young girls to get into the sport in general.
“So I’m very excited to be working alongside DirtFish this year and helping that initiative.”
