The 2026 US rally championship season concluded with a truly heartbreaking twist for Lia Block, as a commanding championship lead evaporated during the final stages of the Lake Superior Performance Rally. Heading into the championship showdown, the talented contender held a 17-point advantage at the top of the standings over her closest rival, Toyota driver Quintero.
However, once dropped scores were factored into the equation, the actual gap narrowed down to a razor-thin five points. This left zero margin for error as Block prepared to battle through the rough gravel stages behind the wheel of her Hyundai i20 N Rally2, aiming to secure a milestone title in the highly competitive American rallying scene.
Throughout the weekend, the overall victory pace was dictated from the front, leaving Block and her rivals fighting to manage gaps as time differences stretched across the demanding forest roads. Even as the rally entered its final moments before the decisive Power Stage, Block remained firmly on track to defend her championship lead and claim the ultimate prize.
Disaster struck on the absolute final test of the rally where bonus points were up for grabs. Block suffered a devastating puncture followed immediately by a second tire failure, costing her a vital 58 seconds and dropping her down to sixth place on the stage, agonizingly close to securing the remaining bonus positions.
With Block missing out entirely on bonus points, her championship rival capitalized by claiming four points for finishing second on the stage. That dramatic swing was enough to hand the 2026 US rally title to Quintero by a mere two points, delivering a historic first championship for the newly developed Toyota GR Corolla Rally RC2.
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