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American Rally Association 2018 Season: Here's Who and What We Know So Far!

We have a lot of old faces returning to the ARA 2018 season, and a whole bunch of new faces! Here's who and what we know so far!

3y ago
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We have a lot of old faces returning to the American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship Series 2018 season, and a whole bunch of new faces! Here's who we know so far!

Newcomer: Aaron Kaufman of Arclight Fabrication Co.

Aaron Kaufman, formerly lead mechanic of Gas Monkey Garage. (Photo courtesy of: https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2018/march/aaron-kaufman-arclight-shifting-gears-gas-monkey-fast-n-loud/)

Aaron Kaufman, formerly lead mechanic of Gas Monkey Garage. (Photo courtesy of: https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2018/march/aaron-kaufman-arclight-shifting-gears-gas-monkey-fast-n-loud/)

Aaron Kaufman is the former lead mechanic of Gas Monkey Garage and now owns and operates Arclight Fabrication Co. located in Dallas, TX. Rumor has it that he will be premiering a GC chassis Subaru Impreza 2.5RS. He will be driving *exclusively* at Olympus Rally. Aaron will not be running the entire ARA circuit unfortunately. He is reportedly having plans to be a guest spectator at Oregon Trail Rally (OTR).

Returning Head Hoonigan In Charge: Ken Block #43

Ken Block #43 with his GYM3 Ford Fiesta built by Hoonigan Racing Team.

Ken Block #43 with his GYM3 Ford Fiesta built by Hoonigan Racing Team.

Returning podium finisher of the Rally America (RA) series, and the "Head Hoonigan In Charge", Mr. Ken Block makes a return after his absence since the 2015 Rally America circuit where he finished top 3 overall for the Open 4WD class. It's been confirmed by multiple sources that KB will be debuting a 1991 Ford Escort Cosworth Groupe A class for a select events.

Photo Courtesy of Instagram @kblock43

Photo Courtesy of Instagram @kblock43

New ARA Contender / Returning Red Bull GRC Podium: Chris "Atko" Atkinson #55

Photo Courtesy of Subaru Rally Team USA / Vermont Sportscar

Photo Courtesy of Subaru Rally Team USA / Vermont Sportscar

He's from the land down under, Australia. Chris "Atko" is returning to stage rally after a long overdue hiatus from Subaru World Rally Team (and brand new to ARA), this will be his inaugural season with ARA. In the recent past, he has driven with Subaru Rally Team China for Rally China with a built and prepped Subaru Crosstrek XV from Vermont Sportscar, in addition to previously driving during the Red Bull Global RallyCross (GRC) in the Subaru WRX STI platform. He will be competing in the Open 4WD class with a Subaru WRX STi backed by Subaru Rally Team USA / Vermont SportsCar.

Returning Podium Finishers: David Higgins & Co-Driver Craig Drew #75

Photo Courtesy of Instagram @davidhiggins75

Photo Courtesy of Instagram @davidhiggins75

Returning champions of Rally America (RA) circuit, David Higgins and co-driver Craig Drew #75 are at no surprise, one of the top contenders returning to stage rally in the United States. This legendary duo has podiumed at pretty much every event competing in the Open 4WD class as well, backed by Subaru Rally Team USA and Vermont Sportscar. They're a legend in our time and my bets are in that Higgins / Drew will certainly podium, if not win the most points overall for ARA 2018.

Image Courtesy of Subaru Rally Team USA / Vermont Sportscar

Image Courtesy of Subaru Rally Team USA / Vermont Sportscar

Returning ARA Champion: Travis Pastrana & Co-Driver Robbie Durant for Selected

Travis Pastrana at CTTC 2017 -- FTD and New Record for Mt. Washington Hillclimb. Photo Courtesy of @RacedInAnger / Andrew Pascarella.

Travis Pastrana at CTTC 2017 -- FTD and New Record for Mt. Washington Hillclimb. Photo Courtesy of @RacedInAnger / Andrew Pascarella.

Travis Pastrana #199 this year will be taking a partial hiatus from ARA to primarily focus on his Nitro Circus world tour series and probably more time with the family. He will be driving select events during the 2018 ARA season, but not the entire season. Travis Pastrana, and his co-driver Robbie Durant won the inaugural season of the ARA circuit in 2017 for the Open 4WD class. We certainly hope Travis returns for the full 2019 ARA circuit season.

Travis Pastrana #199 of Subaru Rally Team USA

Travis Pastrana #199 of Subaru Rally Team USA

New ARA Contender / Returning Red Bull GRC Podium Finisher: Patrik Sandell #18

Photo Credit: Patrik Sandell #18 via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/patriksandell18/photos/a.10151590627328179.1073741826.339050973178/10155859382153179

Photo Credit: Patrik Sandell #18 via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/patriksandell18/photos/a.10151590627328179.1073741826.339050973178/10155859382153179

Patrik Sandell #18 will be joining the 2018 ARA season for the first time for select events, much like Chris Atko #55. He has historically been driving the Red Bull Global RallyCross championship and has podiumed many times for various teams and factory-backed sponsorships in the past. I am certain we will see greatness from Patrik.

Photo Source: Patrik Sandell via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/patriksandell18/photos/a.466448243178.279161.339050973178/10155506597343179)

Photo Source: Patrik Sandell via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/patriksandell18/photos/a.466448243178.279161.339050973178/10155506597343179)

What is your bets? Who is missing? Who should be here for the ARA season? Who did I forget?

Source: Vermont SportsCar vtcar.com/2018-02-15/7288/

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Comments (9)

  • Travis is not MIA for the entire 2018 season. Also, you missed Patrik Sandell... The press release.... vtcar.com/2018-02-15/7288/

      3 years ago
  • Hi congratulations - your post has been selected by DriveTribe USA Ambassador for promotion on the DriveTribe homepage.

      3 years ago
  • FY Racing needs to make a return.

      3 years ago
  • Also... Aaron Kaufman is entered for the Olympus Rally, not OTR

      3 years ago
  • Aaron Kaufman will not be racing at OTR but will be a spectator. He is registered for Olympus Rally in May.

      3 years ago
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