Semenuk happy to help Pastrana find speed

Brandon Semenuk is ready to help team-mate and rival Travis Pastrana re-find the form and the speed which carried him to six American titles earlier in his career.

After a tough couple of rallies back in a full-time ARA program, Pastrana revealed his frustrations to DirtFish and admitted he would need Semenuk’s help. The 40-year-old is candid enough to admit the Canadian is the biggest rival he’s faced in his career.

“I mean [David] Higgins was amazing,” Pastrana told DirtFish. “He was somebody that I aspired to get to his level, but these guys are flat-flying and it’s going to take a lot to beat [him]. He’s the best rival [I’ve competed against].”

Semenuk admitted the roles were reversed from when he first arrived at the top level of American rallying. He said: “I came into the Subaru team and he basically gave me three years of his advice and his input and shared data with me. I would not be here if it wasn’t for Travis, so I feel like my speed has really come from him. And he’s putting me in a position to push, like always knowing that, every stage, he’s never going to let me win – he’s going to make it hard on me.”

Semenuk said he fully expected Pastrana to be back up to speed this season, adding: “I’ve had more time in this car, he was out last year, so maybe I’m a little fresher with the championship. I know his speed will come around, but, obviously, if there’s something he needs, you know, we’ve been sharing data and I’m happy to do that. He hasn’t reached out, but whatever he needs – you know I don’t want to be the dude to impose and put things in his head. He’s an amazing driver, I know he knows what to do and I think it might just be a bit of a time in the car and he’ll be back.”