Krista Skucas

Krista Skucas is a North American rally co-driver who’s made her mark navigating some of the continent’s most demanding stages, from battling alongside motorsport legends to piloting a Ferrari-powered Subaru through picturesque chaos.

EARLY YEARS

Krista Skucas grew up in Portland, Oregon, surrounded by cars in the most practical, unglamorous way possible—her parents habitually owned old cars out of economic necessity, not passion. Still, something clicked. She became a car and motorsport lover for as long as she can remember, even if rally racing wasn’t part of her family’s DNA in any traditional sense.

Her world cracked wide open in 2007 when she caught a commercial for the Oregon Trail Rally on her local TV news. She had no idea rally racing even existed in her hometown, let alone that it was the kind of high-speed, gravel-spitting spectacle that would completely rewire her brain. That single moment sparked what would become a lifelong obsession with the sport—and a career most people don’t even know exists.

OTHER INTERESTS

When she’s not reading pace notes at triple-digit speeds, Skucas is refreshingly normal. She’s self-described as “very food motivated,” insisting that all fun things must involve great snacks. It’s the kind of detail that makes her relatable in a sport that can sometimes feel inaccessible—rally might be intense, but everyone understands the importance of good snacks.

EARLY SUCCESS

Skucas didn’t waste time once she discovered rally. By 2018, she was co-driving alongside TV personality Aaron Kaufman at Olympus Rally, navigating his over-engineered GC Impreza built for the “Shifting Gears” TV show. It was a high-profile debut that threw her into the deep end—Kaufman had just departed Gas Monkey Garage, and the rally world was watching.

In 2019, Skucas tackled the Pacific Forest Rally co-driving for her boyfriend, Sam Albert. She’s called it her favorite rally, not because everything went smoothly—quite the opposite. They had everything thrown at them, and she loved every chaotic second of it. That same year, she competed in the Canadian Rally Championship, racking up miles and experience across both sides of the border.

By 2021, she was co-driving for Derik Nelson at the Mike Nagle Regional Rally, where they dominated with a first-place finish overall in the ARA West series. It was the kind of performance that made people pay attention—clean, fast, and no drama.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2018: Co-drove with Aaron Kaufman at Olympus Rally in his custom-built GC Impreza for the “Shifting Gears” TV show.
• 2019: Competed in Pacific Forest Rally with Sam Albert, which she cites as her favorite rally despite—or because of—the challenges thrown their way.
• 2021: Secured first place overall at Mike Nagle Regional Rally co-driving for Derik Nelson in the ARA West series.
• 2021: Co-drove with Madelyn Tabor at Southern Ohio Forest Rally, piloting a Ford Fiesta Rally3 to third place in the National L4WD class and 12th overall.
• 2021: Partnered with Sam Albert at Oregon Trail Rally, debuting their monster 2004 Subaru WRX STI powered by a Ferrari V8 engine.
• 2021: Co-drove with Irish driver Aoife Raftery for the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Driver program at Olympus Rally, delivering a stunning podium debut in Raftery’s first time in an all-wheel-drive car.
• 2024: Returned with Sam Albert at Olympus Rally and Wild West Rally, continuing to attack stages in their Ferrari V8-powered Subaru.
• 2025: Co-drove with Madelyn Tabor at Southern Ohio Forest Rally, finishing third in National L4WD and 12th overall in the Ford Fiesta Rally3.

INSPIRATIONS

Skucas discovered rally by accident—a TV commercial changed everything. That 2007 Oregon Trail Rally ad didn’t just introduce her to the sport; it gave her a roadmap to a career she didn’t know she wanted. Her inspiration is rooted in accessibility—the realization that this wild, intense sport was happening right in her backyard, and she could be part of it.

REPUTATION

Skucas has built a reputation as a steady, reliable co-driver who thrives under pressure. She’s worked with everyone from TV stars to rising female drivers in programs designed to boost women’s visibility in motorsport. Her role isn’t just reading pace notes—she describes co-driving as being the manager before, during, and after the event, plus caretaker of the driver so they can focus on the one thing that matters: going fast.

She’s known for versatility, jumping between drivers and cars with ease, whether it’s a conventional rally build or something completely bonkers like a Ferrari V8-swapped Subaru. Her ability to adapt and perform consistently has made her a sought-after navigator in North American rally.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Information about Skucas’s specific plans for 2025 and beyond wasn’t detailed in available sources, but her continued presence at major ARA events suggests she’s not slowing down. She remains active in both regional and national competition, with her sights likely set on more podiums and possibly expanding her role in promoting women’s participation in rally.

REFERENCES

In Conversation with Krista Skucas – Paddock Sorority
Krista Skucas Interview | Rally Co-Driver | Motorsport – Is It Fast
Skucas Krista – eWRC-results.com
Pastrana Returns to ARA as Legendary Olympus Rally Attracts Massive Entry – American Rally Association
Oregon Trail Rally: First Look – American Rally Association
Shifting Gears with Aaron Kaufman is All About Rally – American Rally Association
Booth Earns First Overall National Victory at Southern Ohio Forest Rally – American Rally Association
ARA Doubleheader Spans 1500 Miles from Oregon Trail to Minnesota – American Rally Association
DirtFish WiM Driver Program Off to a Flying Start – DirtFish
Krista Skucas – CARS Rally
Nease and Skucas Racing Final Three CRC Rounds – CARS Rally
Rally Colorado – National Quality at a Regional Event – OpenPaddock
Mike Nagle Rally | May 22, 2021 | Krista Skucas Interview – YouTube
Ferrari V8 Subaru Rally Car FULL ONBOARD – YouTube