Estonian Rally Champion Ott Tanak Debuts at ARA National Championship with Toyota

Estonian Rally Champion Ott Tanak Debuts at ARA National Championship with Toyota

Ott Tanak will make his American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship debut at the Overmountain Rally Tennessee, scheduled for 18-19 September, piloting a factory-backed Toyota GR Corolla Rally RC2 car. The 2019 world rally title winner will partner co-driver Martin Jarveoja for the gravel event, alongside reigning ARA manufacturers’ champions Seth Quintero and Topi Luhtinen.

This ARA appearance is part of Tanak’s expanded role with Toyota, where he has transitioned to a test and development driver position following his departure from Hyundai Motorsport at the end of 2025. The Estonian has contributed to the development of Toyota’s 2027 WRC car ahead of regulatory changes, including a non-competitive entry at Rally di Roma Capitale in Italy’s 0-B category to gather data for potential WRC inclusion next season.

Toyota WRC team principal Jari-Matti Latvala previously showcased the GR Corolla RC2 at the Olympus Rally in April, where he secured victory. Tanak’s recent participation in the ARA aligns with his ongoing collaboration with Toyota’s technical team, with plans to test the GR Corolla RZ in the WRC 2027 era.

[Image caption: Jari-Matti Latvala previously ran a Rally2 Toyota at the Olympus rally]

“Ott Tanak and Martin Jarveoja will participate in the ARA National Championship round at Overmountain Rally Tennessee,” stated Toyota in a release. “Their involvement supports the team’s technical understanding of local gravel conditions, potentially shaping future WRC events in the United States.”

Tanak, who made a return to WRC activity at Rally Finland earlier this season, remains focused on supporting the team’s development efforts. “This season is very busy for everyone, and I’m helping where needed,” he remarked. “I’m satisfied with my current role, enjoying the driving and working with exceptional professionals at Toyota.”

“There’s no pressure, but there’s ample opportunity to drive. Preparing something from a blank page is exciting. The technicians at Toyota are exceptional, and developing a new car from scratch is both challenging and rewarding,” Tanak added, avoiding speculation about his 2027 racing schedule. “Let’s see what the future holds.”

– The Motorsport.com Team

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