In a thrilling return to her rallying roots, Lia Block is set to make her mark once again in American rallying. On the occasion of her 18th birthday, Subaru Motorsports USA has announced that Block will take the wheel of Brandon Semenuk’s American Rally Association (ARA) title-winning WRX at next week’s Lake Superior Performance Rally (LSPR). This exciting event marks the final round of the ARA season, and Block’s presence is sure to add an extra layer of excitement to the competition in Michigan.
Subaru’s decision to bring Block on board for this rally comes as Semenuk, the reigning three-time consecutive ARA champion, is set to participate in the Red Bull Rampage mountain bike event in Utah. The move also serves as a poetic nod to her family’s deep ties with Subaru, as her father, the late Ken Block, spent much of his early rallying career behind the wheel of a Subaru Impreza. Ken Block later returned to the brand for a season in 2021 with Vermont SportsCar.
For Lia Block, this opportunity to drive a top-tier rally car is nothing short of a dream come true. “Excited is an understatement for the feeling going into LSPR,” said Block. “Subaru and Vermont SportsCar have given me such a cool opportunity to compete at a rally in their top-level race car.” She will be co-driven by Keaton Williams, Semenuk’s regular navigator, further solidifying her position within the Subaru rallying family.
Block’s rallying journey comes full circle at LSPR, where she made her four-wheel drive debut a year ago, driving her father’s Ford Escort RS Cosworth after winning the ARA O2WD title. At just 17, Block became the youngest-ever ARA title winner. Reflecting on her roots in rally, Block noted, “Rally has always been my home. It’s my roots. My family and I have such a special history with this team, I wouldn’t want this milestone to be with anyone else.”
Despite the high expectations that come with driving Subaru’s championship-winning car, Block’s ambitions for the rally are grounded in personal growth and enjoyment. “My goal for this upcoming weekend is to have fun, go fast, and finish the rally strong and comfortable,” she said, emphasizing the importance of gaining experience in the high-performance WRX.
Although her focus has shifted to circuit racing this season, particularly in the F1 Academy as part of the Williams Driver Academy, Block has continued to showcase her off-road prowess. In September, she competed in the Nitrocross Championship’s opening races, finishing sixth in a Dodge Hornet.
As Block returns to the rallying stage, she will share the Subaru garage with her father’s former ARA rival, Travis Pastrana. With her rallying pedigree and competitive spirit, all eyes will be on Block as she tackles the challenges of LSPR in one of the fastest cars in American rallying.
Photo from Lia Block Instagram
