This week’s Southern Ohio Forest Rally marks the return to the sport for rising star Casen Pedersen.
After graduating from DirtFish, the Lexus IS 250 driver began his career on a high with a stunning seven-minute L2WD class win at last year’s Oregon Trail Regional Rally. That was only his second ever start in the sport.
An accident on his next outing, the Southern Ohio Forest Rally, combined with the need to focus on his studies, forced rallying to the back seat for a while. Now, he’s graduated from college and he’s ready for the stages again.
“It’s so nice to be back in a race car,” he told DirtFish ahead of the start of round five of the ARA National Championship, presented by Kubota. “I’m excited about this. Testing went well, but it is a little intimidating after being out of the car for eight months. Once you get the gloves and the helmet back on, the rush is there after three or four corners – it’s like riding a bike.
“I should have come back out to DirtFish last week to prepare for the test – it’s been way too long. I’ve got to get out to see you guys again, your place is great!
“The plan for me is to get comfortable with the car, to try to set a decent pace and just see how it goes. I want to get into the groove again. I don’t want to set expectations too high. I’m have three events planned at the moment: Ohio, Ojibwe and Overmountain. I’ve never done either of the last two and I have a little revenge to get back here [after the crash last year]. I want to be part of something back here on Saturday night.”
Southern Ohio Forest Rally kicks off with the Yoctangee Park street stage in Chillicothe on Thursday night, with two more days and 113 competitive miles on the loose through Friday and Saturday. McArthur hosts Saturday morning’s parc exposé.
Subaru star Brandon Semenuk is chasing a fifth straight win this season aboard his factory WRX, while his nearest rival Conner Martell is running a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 for the first time.
Conner Martell drives a 2C-run Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 in Ohio this week
“This is the kind of opportunity every driver hopes for,” said Martell. “Getting time in a Rally2 car has been a goal of mine, and to do it with a team like 2C – with all their experience and success – is an incredible step. I’m excited to keep learning, improving, and pushing at the front of the field.”
French squad 2C is no stranger to the ARA, having run Ken Block’s Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC to second overall in the 2022 ARA standings.
Another interesting name to look out for this week is 20-time X Games medalist Bucky Lasek, who’s back in ARA action for the first time in three years. The pro skateboarder is driving a L4WD Subaru Impreza.
