Subaru Motorsports USA Double Podium at Olympus Rally – Method Race Wheels

For the third consecutive time Subaru Motorsports USA managed to get a double podium finish at the cold, rain-soaked Olympus Rally. Brandon Semenuk secured a runner-up finish at Olympus which placed him second place overall in the ARA Driver’s Championship. An impressive performance for being his first full season of an American rally competition. Travis Pastrana took third place in the recent Olympus rally as well as the championship.

The 2020 rally season was heavily revised due to the pandemic and the already difficult Olympus rally had heavy rain during all eight stages on Saturday. Roads were muddy, slick and reduced visibility for all competitors. Semenuk and co-driver John Hall won two stages on Saturday despite a half-spin on SS2 and placed them in second place. While teammate Pastrana and co-driver Rhianon Gelsomino lost time from a fogged windshield when their WRX STI took water from SS5 putting them in a strong third position.

The next day the rally organizers had to revise the stages as snow at high elevations made it difficult to access two of the planned stages. The remaining stages passed through the signature Nahwatzel stage. Another strong effort from Semenuk with a pair of stage wins, but unfortunately was not enough to close the gap to rival McKenna.

Semenuk says, “It’s hard to put into words what an experience this season has been. I really feel like John and I have come such a long way since Southern Ohio where we were still learning the car and getting up to speed. Things really started to click these last few events! I know there are improvements I need to make, since I lost some time on a couple of the Saturday stages and could have had a chance to win the rally, but it’s been a huge thrill to race with Travis and this team all year. All I can think about is getting back in the car again soon.”

Pastrana says, “Not the results we wanted this season, but I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to get back to rallying full-time this year! It’s been a huge challenge for everyone to help us get back on the stages with the pandemic, and I appreciate everything the team and the organizers have done. Huge congratulations to Brandon for the success he’s had this year, I think he’s developed faster than anything could have imagined and I know this team has a lot to look forward in 2021.”

This gives the Subaru Motorsports USA team two wins and seven total podiums in the American Rally Association season. Their Subaru WRX STI race cars are equipped with 502 Rally Series wheels and you can learn more below.