5 Shocking Facts About The New England Forest Rally And Its Uncertain Future In The ARA
The New England Forest Rally (NEFR) stands as one of the most brutal and beloved events on the North American rally calendar, renowned for its high-speed, dusty, and unforgiving logging roads that challenge even the world's best drivers. As of December 23, 2025, the most crucial update for fans is the confirmed date for the next major iteration: the 2025 rally is scheduled for July 11-12, promising a return to the challenging terrain of Maine and New Hampshire.
The event, based out of the Sunday River ski resort in Newry, Maine, has a deep history, but its place in the American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship has recently seen a surprising shake-up. After a successful run as a flagship national event, the NEFR was notably absent from the 2024 National Championship schedule, a fresh development that has sparked significant discussion among the rally community. This shift highlights the ever-evolving landscape of professional stage rallying in the United States.
The New England Forest Rally: A Profile of Speed and Grit
Founded in 1994, the New England Forest Rally, originally known as the Maine Forest Rally, has cemented its legacy as a cornerstone of performance rallying in North America. The two-day event takes place primarily on the fast, loose gravel and notoriously dusty logging roads that crisscross the Maine and New Hampshire border. The terrain is famous for its high-speed sections interspersed with technical corners, demanding maximum commitment and precision from every driver and co-driver team.
The NEFR has historically been a significant round in various national championships, including the SCCA ProRally and Rally America, before becoming a staple of the American Rally Association (ARA) calendar. Its mid-July timing often means dry, dusty conditions, which add a layer of complexity to visibility and tire management, making it one of the toughest tests of the season.
Key Facts and Entities of the NEFR
- Location: Based at the Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry, Maine, with stages spanning forest lands in Maine and New Hampshire.
- Sanctioning Body: Historically sanctioned by the ARA, though its 2024 status was regional. The 2025 event is a major focus for the rally community.
- Terrain: Fast, dusty logging roads and gravel stages, known for being some of the longest in North American rallying.
- Notable Stage: The "Concord Pond" stage is frequently cited by drivers as one of the rally's most challenging and iconic sections.
- Founding Year: 1994.
The Last National Battle: 2023 Results and the Semenuk Era
The most recent national-level contest at the New England Forest Rally was the 2023 event, which delivered a spectacular display of top-tier stage rallying. The rally served as Round 6 of the 2023 ARA National Championship and saw a fierce battle for the top spot.
The ultimate victors of the 2023 NEFR National Rally were Brandon Semenuk and co-driver Keaton Williams of Subaru Motorsports USA. Their win was a testament to their skill in managing the fast, technical stages and maintaining pace against elite competition. Semenuk's victory in the Subaru Impreza WRX STi solidified his status as a dominant force in the sport, adding the NEFR title to his growing list of accomplishments.
The NEFR has a history of attracting global rally superstars. Before Semenuk’s recent dominance, the event was a proving ground for legendary figures like David Higgins and Craig Drew, who were virtually untouchable in 2018. Furthermore, the late rally icon Ken Block and his co-driver Alex Gelsomino also claimed a memorable NEFR victory earlier in their careers. Other big names who have tackled the Maine and New Hampshire stages include Travis Pastrana, Barry McKenna, Leon Jordan, and European rally grandmaster Oliver Solberg.
The Shocking 2024 Exclusion and the Road to 2025
A major point of recent discussion in the American rally community is the status of the New England Forest Rally in 2024. The American Rally Association and NEFR organizers made the decision that the event would not be included in the 2024 ARA National Championship. Instead, the National calendar spot was filled by the Overmountain Rally Tennessee.
While the NEFR still held a regional-level event, its absence from the top-tier national schedule marked a significant change. This decision was a surprise to many fans and highlighted the logistical and financial complexities of hosting a world-class performance rally event. Despite the setback, the organizers and the ARA are clearly committed to the rally's future, as evidenced by the early announcement of the 2025 date.
The 2025 New England Forest Rally, scheduled for July 11-12, is highly anticipated. The return to a likely national championship status will bring back the top teams, including Subaru Motorsports USA and other major competitors, to fight on the challenging logging roads of the Northeast. The rally’s base at Sunday River will once again become the hub for technical service, spectator viewing, and the ceremonial start and finish, drawing thousands of rally enthusiasts to the region.
Why the NEFR Stages Are So Legendary
What makes the New England Forest Rally a true bucket-list event for both competitors and spectators is the unique character of its stages. The rally is a pure test of speed and endurance, demanding a specific driving style and meticulous car setup:
- High Speeds: The roads are generally very fast, allowing for sustained high speeds that push the limits of the rally cars and their components.
- Dust and Visibility: In the dry summer months, dust is a major factor, severely limiting visibility for following cars and forcing teams to manage stage gaps carefully.
- Long Stages: The NEFR is known for featuring some of the longest special stages in North American rallying, which tests the physical and mental endurance of the co-drivers reading the pace notes and the drivers executing them.
- Technicality: While fast, the roads are not simple. They feature blind crests, sudden changes in surface, and challenging sequences of corners that require perfect pace note accuracy. The famous Concord Pond stage is often singled out for its difficulty and reward.
The rally’s challenging nature often leads to high attrition, with mechanical failures and off-road excursions being common. This unpredictability is part of what makes the New England Forest Rally such a compelling event for American Rally Association fans and a crucial part of the sport's identity in the United States. The anticipation for the 2025 NEFR is already building, promising a spectacular return to national prominence after the 2024 hiatus.
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