The 2023 Green APU American Rally Association season continues this weekend with the third round, the Olympus Rally.
National Championship Rundown
Reigning ARA champion Brandon Semenuk’s championship defense has gotten off to a strong start. As Semenuk has taken both event wins so far this season. Only one driver has been able to take any points away from Semenuk this season. As Barry McKenna would win the Powerstage at the Rally In The 100 Acre Wood last month. Lowering Semenuk’s point total at the event from 27 to 26. Semenuk currently sits 27 points above Patrick Gruszka, who sits second in the championship. Matthew Dickinson sits third in the championship, three points behind Gruszka. Barry McKenna sits fourth in the championship, one point behind Dickinson. Tom Williams rounds out the top five in the overall championship, sitting one point behind McKenna. Unfortunately, McKenna won’t be at the Olympus Rally this weekend, which should make it easy for Williams to move into fourth overall or higher this weekend.
Overall Championship Points Heading Into Olympus
B. Semenuk, 53
P. Gruszka, 26
M. Dickinson, 23
B. McKenna, 22
T. Williams, 21
RC2 Championship Rundown
Only two RC2 drivers will be competing this weekend. RC2 Championship leader Patrick Gruszka will be one of them. Tom Williams will be the other. Gruszka leads the championship by 14 points. Williams will likely look to close that gap this weekend. Williams would fail to take any points at the Rally In The 100 Acre Wood last month as he would retire with a turbo issue on day two. Kyle Tilly was registered to compete at Olympus this weekend, but he would, unfortunately, pull his entry out.
RC2 Championship Points Heading Into Olympus
P. Gruszka, 39
T. Williams, 25
K. Tilley, 17
O2WD Championship Rundown
Micah Nickelson leads the O2WD championship after taking the class win at the Rally In The 100 Acre Wood last month. Unfortunately, Nickelson won’t be at Olympus this weekend, and likely won’t be seen again until the Southern Ohio Forest Rally in June. Nick Allen sits second in the championship, 15 points behind Nickelson. Nickelson’s absence should make moving into first place easy for Allen this weekend. As only three other drivers will be competing in the O2WD class this weekend. Those drivers are Lia Block, Michael Hooper and Tim O’Neil. All three drivers will likely look to keep Allen out of a top-three finish this weekend. Lia Block sits third in the championship, 15 points behind Allen.
O2WD Championship Points Heading Into Olympus
M. Nickelson, 47
N. Allen, 32
L. Block 17
T. O’Neil 14
LN4 Drivers Championship Rundown
Matthew Dickinson leads the LN4 Drivers Championships, sitting 30 points above Vincent Trudel and Javier Olivares who both sit tied for second overall. Dickinson has taken both class wins so far this season, as well as three points on the Powerstage at the Rally In The 100 Acre Wood last month. Vincent Trudel will return to the ARA this weekend, after missing 100AW. Javier Olivares will also be at the event this weekend. Jason Bailey and Ele Bardha will also be at the event this weekend looking to move their way up the championship rankings.
LN4 Championship Standings Heading Into Olympus
M. Dickinson, 47
V. Trudel, 17
J. Olivares, 17
No McKenna
Barry McKenna will miss the Olympus Rally this weekend. McKenna has been the only driver so far this season to challenge reigning ARA Champion Brandon Semenuk. As McKenna would manage to take nine out of 17 stages at the Rally In The 100 Acre Wood last month, including the powerstage. McKenna would retire from the Olympus Rally last season. After a DNF on SS11 would end his rally early.
Photography Credits:
© Matthew Stryker, Subaru.com/motorsports, 2023
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