Lia Block and co-driver Rhianon Gelsomino, the female duo recently won the 2023 American Rally Association (ARA) Open 2WD title with two races to spare.
At age 16, Lia is the youngest person to ever win an ARA national championship. Driving a Subaru BRZ, she and Gelsomino generally dominated every race they were in with four first-place finishes in five events.
This was her first full season with ARA and her first running a rear-drive car. Prior to this year, she ran seven ARA events, all in a front-wheel drive Ford Fiesta.
The performance was strong enough to secure the O2WD title early, and the ladies aren’t done yet. They’re currently fourth in overall ARA standings, and with the 2WD championship secured, they are closing out the 2023 ARA season finale by racing in the top 4WD category.
Using her dad’s 4WRD Escort Cosworth, Lia Block’s four-wheel drive rally debut was done after the Escort Cosworth stopped with an engine problem on the Lake Superior Performance Memorial Rally.
Running fourth overall after three stages, the car refused to fire going into the loop’s final test.
