The Subaru Motorsports USA double-champion team of driver Brandon Semenuk and co-driver Keaton Williams took its first step towards a three-peat, winning the 2024 Sno*Drift Rally, with extreme sports legend Travis Pastrana placing a strong second in his return to ARA action with co-driver Rhianon Gelsomino.
Said an excited Semenuk, “The car was perfect, handling all the ruts over these grueling couple of days. It wasn’t the Sno*Drift I was expecting but the result was the same, which I can’t complain about!”
Pastrana showed just as much enthusiasm about the event: “Sno*Drift 2024 was awesome – 20 years since my very first rally. The car was amazing; it’ll take a little more time to get used to because it just does everything I ask it to with no delay. Rhi was the best she’s ever been on notes and the car is the best car I’ve ever driven. I’m looking forward to a great year!”
Though traditionally known for challenging drivers with plenty of snow and ice, temperatures climbed into the forties this year before racing began, with the unseasonably warm highs melting early week precipitation by the time the first stages began Friday evening. Drivers and teams had to contend with unpredictable tracks of mud, ice, sand, and melting snow. A huge amount of after-dark racing added another degree of difficulty to the 2024 Sno*Drift Rally while playing into the importance of stages like the fan-favorite (and fan lit) Bonfire Alley. As action wrapped up Friday night, Semenuk and Williams were in the lead with Pastrana and Gelsomino in second.
Overnight snows on Friday led to more melt and more mud for Saturday, which saw some ups and downs for the Pastrana/Gelsomino car: The team started the day by picking up a win on stage seven, its first for the year, and Pastrana’s first since returning to ARA driving. A wide left turn on stage eight saw Pastrana’s WRX ARA24 take some front-end damage but the pair recovered quickly and ended their 2024 Sno*Drift with an impressive second place finish. Pastrana’s skill and take-no-prisoners style helped overcome the gap in time spent in the WRX ARA24 between he and teammate Semenuk, and his performance proved that with time in the car, he will make a formidable challenge for the reigning champions.
With Sno*Drift in the rearview and the 2024 ARA season now officially in full swing the, Subaru Motorsports USA team moves on to the popular Rally in the 100 Acre Wood in Missouri, which takes place March 15-16, 2024.
