Martell Takes P2 at Sno*Drift Rally, Extends ARA Podium Streak
Conner Martell kicked off his 2025 American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship campaign with a hard-fought second-place finish at the legendary Sno*Drift Rally, marking his third consecutive podium in ARA National competition.
Held in Montmorency County, Michigan, Sno*Drift has been the traditional launchpad for the U.S. rally season since 1997. Known for its challenging mix of snow and ice-covered forest roads, it remains the only true winter event on the ARA calendar—and uniquely, prohibits studded tires, making finding traction a constant battle.
Making his Sno*Drift debut, Martell and veteran co-driver Alex Gelsomino, took on the slippery conditions in the No. 21 Kubota Subaru WRX STI prepared by Vermont SportsCar. Despite being a first-time competitor at the event, Martell immediately settled into second place after Friday’s opening loop.
Saturday’s action saw Martell holding strong behind three-time defending ARA champions Brandon Semenuk and Keaton Williams. With each stage, he and Gelsomino gained confidence while navigating the notoriously unpredictable grip levels.
The duo closed out their first Sno*Drift together with a blistering run on the bonus-points paying Power Stage in deteriorating visibility from heavy snow. They finished just 2.8 seconds off the fastest time on the 10-mile stage, sealing a second place overall finish and launching their 2025 season with momentum.
Martell on His First Sno*Drift Experience
“I learned a lot,” Martell said. “It was a lot tougher than I anticipated it being. On the first pass, there’s decent grip, and then on the second pass, it’s just so inconsistent. We had a few mistakes, more than I would have liked, but we’re still learning.”
“We lost the Power Stage by only two seconds, so I had a pretty good push at the end and I felt good with the drive. So hopefully we can carry that into the 100 Acre Wood Rally and try to give Brandon (Semenuk) a little bit more pressure.”
Gelsomino on the Team’s Performance
Gelsomino was pleased with the result, marking his own career-best finish at the Sno*Drift Rally.
“I think it’s actually my best finish at Sno*Drift,” he said. “I’m pretty stoked about it. I’m a bit bummed because we had a push on the Power Stage and then we lost by only 2.8 seconds in 10 miles. There were some sections where we couldn’t commit due to visibility in the snow, but it was the same conditions for our competitors, so well done to those boys.”
“Conner did a phenomenal job for his first time here and kept it on the road. He had a couple of spins here and there, but I think it was important to finish and gain all the experience necessary.”
“Big thanks to our team and Kubota for their support. Thanks to all the volunteers who braved the cold here and the snowy conditions, and I’ve never seen this many spectators here, so well done to the ARA and to everybody that’s running this because they did a good job.”
Fans can follow Martell and Gelsomino’s journey online at @connermartell21 and @alexgelsomino. For the latest stage results and ARA news, follow the ARA series at @ara_rally or visit www.americanrallyassociation.org. For more information about Kubota, visit www.KubotaUSA.com.
About Conner Martell:
Conner Martell is a 27-year-old rally driver and a rising star in the motorsport world with a versatile background in rallycross, stage rally, and circuit racing. Martell dominated the 2018 ARX2 rallycross season, claiming the championship, before competing in the high-tech Nitrocross Group E category. Over the past two seasons, he has shifted his focus to stage rally, earning victories at the Boone Forest Rally in 2023 and 2024, along with podium finishes at the Lake Superior Performance Rally. When not racing, Martell serves as a test and development driver for Vermont SportsCar and enjoys outdoor adventures in his home state of Vermont.
Good article and great photos. Congratulations to Conner & Alex, Brandon and Williams!