BRASELTON, Georgia (November, 2024) -- Rally car manufacturer JRD Rallysport USA is set to launch an American-built Rally2 contender dubbed the ARC2 car. The vehicle will be eligible to compete in the American Rally Association RC2 class and will be ready to hit the stages late in 2025.
Built to a mixture of FIA RC2 technical specification and ARA Open Class regulations, the vehicle serves a growing need for cars that are as fast and spectacular as their European counterparts, but at a purchase and maintenance cost more suited for the American market. “We are excited about the opportunity to help form the future of American rally,” said JRD Rallysport USA founder Johan Ragnarsson.
Two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm will join the JRD team as its foremost development and test driver. “Grönholm’s experience will make sure our American made rally car makes no compromises when it comes to performance,” said Ragnarsson. “As one of the best drivers in the world, Grönholm will bring immeasurable value to the program.” “Bringing quality rally cars to drivers makes for great competition and is essential for the growth of the sport,” said Grönholm. “I’m excited to work with JRD to support the development of this new class of vehicle designed specifically for American rally.”
The car will be fitted with a spec engine prepared to match the FIA Rally2 cars by Horse Powertrain/Aurobay/T-Engineering.
The leading American sanctioning body for the sport of stage rally, the American Rally Association is working closely with JRD to develop the class. “We have been working on this concept for several years with JRD. We are looking forward to the creation of a car built and designed within the USA following the Rally2 theory; a top-level car at an obtainable price to promote close competition within the ARA Championship” said Preston Osborn, American Rally Association competition director.
Longtime contenders on the American stage rally circuit, JRD has built and supported many rally cars in the series. Its partner vehicles and drivers have together won five national championships in stage rally, while also racking up numerous circuit racing victories as the prototype division of the Panoz motorsports organization.
American stage rally has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with strong fields and exciting competition.
Pricing and detailed specifications for the vehicle will be made available in the coming months.
About JRD: JRD Rallysport USA is part of race and rally car design and manufacturing company,
JRD Engineering Group in Braselton, GA. JRD is the team behind five national rally championships while also racking up numerous circuit racing victories as the prototype division of the Panoz motorsports organization. For more information about JRD and the ARC2 Spec Car, please visit www.jrdrallysportusa.com or contact us at johan@jrdrally.com
About ARA: The American Rally Association is the premier stage rally association in the United States. Owned and operated by the United States Auto Club, the ARA is the sanctioning body for the eight-round ARA National Championship, regional events, and championships throughout the United States. To learn more about the ARA and its partners, go to www.AmericanRallyAssociation.com.
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