LIA BLOCK Nearly Rewrites Rally History at Sno*Drift Before Final Corner Drama

February 10, 2026

• LIA BLOCK came achingly close to making American rally history at Sno*Drift Rally, leading the ARA National Championship opener until mechanical failure struck her Ford Fiesta Rally3 just 100 meters from victory. The 19-year-old’s near-miss showcased her return to full-time rallying after two years in F1 Academy, proving she can still wheel a rally car at championship pace.
• The youngest-ever ARA title winner delivered a statement performance by overtaking Travis Pastrana to lead an ARA round for the first time in her career. Her pace exceeded all expectations from team manager Derek Dauncey, who admitted he was “smiling” at how completely she surpassed predicted times on the challenging Michigan stages.
• Despite the heartbreak, BLOCK’s weekend validated her decision to return to rallying with championship ambitions. Her manager praised her “special” driving ability and natural feel for car placement, while BLOCK herself emphasized the importance of carrying this momentum into future rounds as she builds toward racing overseas next year.

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