LIA BLOCK JOINS ARC FESTIVAL AT THE 2026 bp ADELAIDE GRAND FINAL

The Australian Rally Championship (ARC) has secured a major coup for its upcoming visit to the bp Adelaide Grand Final with American rally star Lia Block confirmed to compete at the Australian Rally Championship Festival.

In what will be her first-ever competitive appearance in Australia, Block will run with the Skoda Fabia Rally2 in partnership with Maximum Motorsport and Carney 4WD Central.

The daughter of the late Ken Block, Lia has gone on to establish a successful career in motorsport, ranging across a number of high-profile disciplines and competitions.

Having started racing at just 11 years of age, Block has competed in off-road racing, karting, rally, rallycross, drifting and single-seater competition, including two seasons in F1 Academy with the Williams Racing Driver Academy.

Among her standout achievements, Block became the youngest-ever American Rally Association (ARA) champion in 2023, winning the Open Two-Wheel-Drive title at just 16 years old. She has since continued to make her mark in rally, including becoming the first woman to record an outright victory in an ARA National Championship round in 2026.

Lia becomes the latest driver to join the Australian Rally Championship Festival, joining the likes of Harry and Lewis Bates, Peter and Alex Rullo, Josh Redhead, Tony Sullens, Richie Dalton and fellow Skoda driver Jackson Long.

Set to feature the fastest rally crews and cars in Australia, the Australian Rally Championship Festival will be run in a special Race of Champions-style format.

Drivers will showcase their incredible skill behind the wheel of top-spec machinery on a temporary, purpose-built dirt track, as they race one-on-one in front of the iconic Victoria Park Heritage Grandstand.

Formats and scheduling details for the ARC Festival at the 2026 bp Adelaide Grand Final will be announced closer to the event.

Access to all the ARC Festival action at the 2026 bp Adelaide Grand Final is included in all event tickets available at ticketmaster.com.au/adelaidegrandfinal

The 2026 bp Adelaide Grand Final runs from Thursday, November 26 to Sunday, November 29, with the Repco Supercars Championship reaching its season-deciding finale alongside a blockbuster program of motorsport and entertainment, including performances from Hilltop Hoods and Guns N’ Roses.

“I’m really excited to be heading down under for the Australian Rally Championship Festival,” Block said.

“This will be my first time racing in Australia, so I’m looking forward to experiencing a new rally scene and getting to know the community over there.

“A huge thank you to 4WD Central and Heatwave Visual for helping make this opportunity possible. I can’t wait to get out there, explore a bit of Australia, and meet all the teams and fans.”

Adrian Coppin, Australian Rally Championship Managing Director, said: “This is a major coup for the Australian Rally Championship and I can’t thank Lia and her team enough for accepting the invitation to compete at this event.

“Since announcing our presence at the bp Adelaide Grand Final, there has been a significant increase in interest surrounding the championship, and having someone like Lia will undoubtedly boost the championship’s status.

“She is a household name within the motorsport community and has worked hard to forge a career on her own merits – we look forward to having her representing the championship later this year.”

Shaun Bennetts, bp Adelaide Grand Final Event Director, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Lia Block to the bp Adelaide Grand Final for the ARC Festival. Lia is an incredible talent who has already achieved so much in her career, and her international profile will bring another exciting dimension to what is shaping up to be a spectacular weekend.

“The ARC Festival is all about showcasing different forms of motorsport and giving fans access to experiences they won’t find anywhere else. Having someone of Lia’s calibre joining Australia’s best rally drivers is a fantastic addition to the program.”