Subaru Motorsports USA Returns to LSPR for 2026 Season Finale
Marquette, Mich. — Subaru Motorsports USA enters the final round of the 2026 American Rally Association (ARA) season at Lake Superior Performance Rally (LSPR), October 9–10, with Conner Martell and co-driver Ross Whittock returning to the Open 4WD class Subaru WRX ARA25 while Travis Pastrana continues to recover from a leg injury sustained during freestyle motocross practice.
A longtime Vermont SportsCar test driver and runner-up in the 2025 ARA National Championship, Martell brought extensive experience in Subaru rally machinery to his competition debut with Subaru Motorsports USA at last month’s Overmountain Rally Tennessee. With Ross Whittock alongside him, Martell stepped in for Travis Pastrana and ran in podium contention before a rock impact caused damage and cost the pair significant time.
Now heading to LSPR, Martell and Whittock will look to turn that promising pace into a podium result as Subaru Motorsports USA closes its 2026 ARA campaign. Known as the “Oldest, Meanest, Toughest” rally on the U.S. rally calendar, LSPR traces its roots to “Press On Regardless,” a time-speed-distance rally first held in 1949 that later became one of America’s most historic stage rallies. Today, the event sends competitors through the fall-colored forests of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on fast, technical gravel roads where conditions can change dramatically with the weather. Dry stages reward commitment and speed, while rain, mud, or snow can quickly turn the same roads into a slippery, low-grip challenge.
The 2026 route features a two-day, 16-stage itinerary covering 123.07 stage miles, including the fan-packed Mt. Marquette stage and the rally-ending Power Stage on the ‘Al’s Playground’ stage.
“It’s amazing to be back in the Subaru this weekend,” Martell said. “I’m so excited to have this car on these fast roads. It’s one of my favorite rallies so it should be a very fun and exciting weekend. Thank you again to Subaru for trusting me with this amazing car.”
“Really excited to be back with Subaru and Conner,” Whittock said. “LSPR is the complete opposite of Overmountain, so it will be good to feel the speed of the car.”
Fans can follow Subaru Motorsports USA throughout LSPR, October 9–10, on Facebook, Instagram @subarumotorsportsusa, and on TikTok @subarumotorsportsusa.
Lake Superior Performance Rally 2026 (LSPR)
DATES: 10/9/2026 – 10/10/2026
HOST TOWNS: Marquette, Michigan
TIME ZONE: Eastern Daylight Time (UTC -4)
NEAREST AIRPORT: Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport (MQT)
WEATHER: Partly cloudy. High near 60F. Low around 46F. Sunset 7:21pm.
2026 Lake Superior Performance Rally Stage Info
Total Distance: 420.64 miles
Number of stages: 16
Stage distance: 123.80 miles
Stage surfaces: Gravel
Longest stage: 12.00 miles (SS 3&8 Far Point I/II)
Highest Elevation: 1,833 ft
Recce: Open
Service Parks: Camp Sidnaw
Official Start: 1:00pm on Friday
Superspecial: None
Power Stage: SS16
Stages in darkness: None
About Subaru Motorsports USA
Subaru Motorsports USA is directed by Subaru of America, Inc., managed by Vermont SportsCar and proudly supported by MOTUL, Yokohama Tires, R53 Suspension, Triple-R Lights, Antigravity and Peplink. Follow the team online at www.subaru.com/motorsports
Follow Subaru Motorsports USA on Facebook, on Instagram @subarumotorsportsusa, and on TikTok @subarumotorsportsusa.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the the Subaru Love Promise ®, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $340 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 115,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company ® and to making the world a better place. For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.
