Aussie co-driver, Rhianon Gelsomino, and American driver, Travis Pastrana, finished second in last weekend's Show-Me Rally.
Driving for Subaru Motorsports USA, the pair won two stages and led the rally early, but then dropped behind team-mate Brandon Semenuk after suffering two punctures.
Semenuk brought home his first-ever U.S. rally win in only his third event in the blue and gold WRX STI, showing impressive pace throughout the weekend.
Show-Me Rally, joining the ARA national calendar in the place of March’s cancelled 100 Acre Wood Rally and featuring many of the same stages, brought dry, dusty conditions that hampered both grip and visibility on the famously quick Missouri roads.
"Incredible feeling to get the win this weekend!” said Semenuk after the rally.
“Of all the events this year, this was the one where I expected to feel the least comfortable since I’ve never done 100 Acre Wood. These stages have some really fast sections and the dust was a challenge, but you have to be clean and trust the car to find grip.
"The techs did an awesome job in service today too, they gave us the advantage in the afternoon to take the win.”
Rhianon Gelsomino finished in second place with Subaru driver Travis Pastrana.
"Great battle this weekend, and nice to be on the podium again!” Pastrana said.
“This has never really been my event since the roads don’t really suit my driving style, so after the Friday punctures I had to be a little less aggressive today and focus on bringing the car home.
"Not as fun as going flat out for the win, but I couldn’t be happier for Brandon. He was super quick all weekend and he and John did everything they needed to win.”
Subaru Motorsports USA will return at November’s DirtFish Olympus Rally in Washington state, aiming for a third straight win to close out the ARA calendar.
Barry McKenna, driving a Ford Fiesta WRC, claimed enough points at the event to clinch the American Rally Association title.
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