Lia Block becomes first woman to win ARA top-class overall at Bemidji rally

During the final stage of the 2026 Ojibwe Forests Rally, Lia Block claimed the overall national victory in the top class, becoming the first female driver to achieve that feat in an American Rally Association competition. Block, driving a 2023 Hyundai i20 N Rally2 with co-driver Alessandro Gelsomino, stood on the podium alongside Def Leppard guitarist Vivan Campbell and his co-driver Michael Hordijk, who took third place after a season plagued by DNFs.

The Sanford Center Super Special, held for the first time in Bemidji’s downtown parking lot, showcased rally cars on pavement and highlighted the region’s hospitality, a point emphasized by both drivers and Rally Minnesota Chairman Scott Puttnam. Campbell recounted a recent traffic stop that illustrated the “Minnesota nice” he experienced. Block’s win follows her earlier stint in the all-female F1 Academy, a brief departure from rally before returning to her family’s discipline. The event also noted the absence of Travis Pastrana, who withdrew after a broken leg, underscoring the rally’s blend of high-speed competition and community atmosphere.