The 2026 Kubota Olympus Rally wrapped up this past weekend in Shelton, Washington — and what a 40th anniversary edition it turned out to be. The Olympic Peninsula's punishing forest roads, expanded to a three-day format for the first time this year, produced exactly the kind of attrition, drama, and raw competition that makes American rally racing special.
When the dust settled, Jari-Matti Latvala stood on top — the 18-time WRC event winner delivering a flawless stateside debut to lead a Toyota 1-2 finish from a field of 98 cars.
Latvala in Total Control
If there were any concerns about how Latvala — one of the most decorated names in world rally history — would adapt to ARA's unique brand of high-speed American forest stages, he answered them comprehensively. Threading through more than 200 miles of tight, technical gravel over three days, Latvala's pace notes precision and car management were a cut above the field from start to finish. His Toyota teammate Quintero charged from seventh to second, locking in a dominant Toyota 1-2 finish.
Lia Block Fights Back for Third
After being forced to stop for a puncture on the second stage — losing over two minutes and dropping to 13th — Lia Block mounted an extraordinary charge through the field in her Hyundai, hauling back 10 positions to claim the final podium spot. For Block, the comeback drive at Olympus serves notice that she can run with the front of the field even when things go sideways. Third on the podium after losing two minutes to a puncture is the kind of result that gets noticed — and remembered.
The 40th Anniversary in Context
The Olympus Rally holds a special place in American motorsport history. Run on the backroads of Washington's Olympic Peninsula since 1986, it has become a cornerstone of the ARA National Championship — a place where legends have been made and careers defined. The expansion to three days in 2026 added new stages and more competitive mileage. Of the 98 starters, finishers were hard-earned.
Where the ARA Championship Stands
With Olympus in the books as Round 3 of the 2026 ARA National season, Travis Pastrana and co-driver Rhianon Gelsomino had claimed victory at Rally in the 100 Acre Wood earlier in the year. The ARA calendar spans 8 national rounds and 23 total events across 13 states. Next up is Rally Colorado, which replaces the Oregon Trail Rally this year — bringing championship competition to new roads for the first time.
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