Subaru Motorsports USA Heads to Overmountain Rally Tennessee as Pastrana Continues Recovery
Newport, Tenn. — Subaru Motorsports USA heads to Overmountain Rally Tennessee, September 18–19, with Vermont SportsCar test driver Conner Martell substituting for Travis Pastrana in the Open 4WD Subaru WRX ARA25 alongside co-driver Ross Whittock. Pastrana continues to recover from injuries sustained late last month while practicing a freestyle motocross stunt.
Overmountain Rally Tennessee is one of the newest events on the ARA National calendar, sending competitors through the roads of Newport, Tennessee, and the Cherokee National Forest. The 2026 route features 100.92 stage miles across two days, with stages made up of 75% packed gravel, 20% dirt, and 5% tarmac.
The rally concludes Saturday night at Newport Speedway with a head-to-head Super Special Stage on the racing surface, where competitors will complete two laps with two dirt jumps before podium celebrations in the Speedway infield.
The highly competitive ARA field includes 2019 FIA World Rally Champion Ott Tanak, who will make his US rally debut alongside co-driver Martin Jarveoja, as well as four-time ARA National Champion Brandon Semenuk.
Martell has extensive experience in Subaru rally machinery as a Vermont SportsCar test driver, and has previously tested Pastrana’s WRX ARA25. The 2018 ARX2 Champion mounted his first full ARA National Championship campaign in 2025, earning six podium finishes, his first national overall victory at Overmountain, and second place in the championship before spending much of the 2026 season competing in Europe in FIA Rally2 machinery. Whittock brings additional ARA experience, including the 2022 RC2-class National Championship.
“I’m beyond excited to get the call to drive for Subaru,” Martell said. “I’m bummed for Travis and hope he has a speedy recovery. I’ve tested his Subaru WRX ARA25 several times, including recently, so I’m comfortable stepping into the car on short notice. Overmountain is special to me because it’s where I earned my first ARA National victory last year. I’m grateful to Subaru and the team for trusting me with the opportunity, and I’m ready to go chase another victory.”
Fans can follow Subaru Motorsports USA throughout Overmountain Rally Tennessee, September 18-19, on Facebook, Instagram @subarumotorsportsusa, and on TikTok @subarumotorsportsusa.
NAME: Overmountain Rally Tennessee
DATES: 9/18–9/19/2026
HOST TOWNS: Newport, Tennessee
TIME ZONE: Eastern Daylight Time (UTC -4)
NEAREST MAJOR AIRPORT: Knoxville / McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
WEATHER: Partly cloudy. High 89°F Low 66°F. Sunset at 7:35pm.
2026 Overmountain Rally Tennessee Stage Info
Total Distance: 328.89 miles
Number of stages: 13
Stage distance: 100.92 miles
Stage surfaces: Packed gravel 75% / dirt 20% / tarmac 5%
Longest stage: 15.00 miles, The Gulf of Tennessee, SS2/SS4
Recce: 9/17/2026; Leg 2-only recce morning of 9/18
Service Parks: Newport Speedway, Newport, TN
Official Start: 11:00am Friday
Superspecial: Newport Speedway Super Special, SSS13
Power Stage: SS12, Big Clifty
Stages in darkness: Yes (SSS13)
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.
