The forests in Ohio will be alive to the gorgeous sound of a BDA, as 2020 American Rally Association National champion Barry McKenna brings his Ford Escort Mk2 out for this weekend’s Southern Ohio Forest Rally.
McKenna normally pilots a modified version of the last generation of Ford Fiesta WRC, last appearing on the 100 Acre Wood Rally earlier this year where he was narrowly beaten by Subaru’s Brandon Semenuk in an epic contest.
But with the Fiesta not quite ready in time for SOFR, the Irishman has elected to use his historic-spec Mk2 instead.
“Using the Escort was a last minute idea,” co-driver Leon Jordan told DirtFish.
“We had thought about going in the Open class car but we are still waiting for a few small parts, so we thought why not!
“We always enjoy Ohio and with the technical stages it sure will be different, but it’s all about enjoying it which I’m sure we will.
“The car is an historic spec car built by Ryan Loughran at RLA,” Jordan added, “which Barry used to compete in the RAC back in 2019.
“As for plans going forward? We don’t make them! But we hope to be in NEFR [New England Forest Rally] and who knows, if we enjoy the Escort you wouldn’t know what you could see there…”
McKenna is the only driver to win Southern Ohio Forest Rally more than once, taking victory in 2020 and ’21.
This year he will do battle in the Open 2WD class, against rivals such as Seamus Burke (Escort) and Lia Block (Subaru BRZ).
