The American Rally Association Launches National Rally Training Center

Similar to many racing disciplines, rallying isn't as popular in the U.S. as it is in Europe or Asia. However, this doesn't imply that groups such as the American Rally Association are willing to accept slow progress as an norm for one of the more approachable types of motorsport.

Instead, the American Rally Association (ARA) is investing where it counts, with the official announcement of a significant financial commitment aimed at expanding the sport. Specifically, a National Rally Training Center will shortly open in Booneville, Kentucky, concentrating on event planning, licensing, insurance, and all the other operational challenges involved in staging a successful competition. While it might lack the excitement of handbrake turns or deciphering the Jemba notes, the true champions of local motorsports are frequently the unassuming coordinators.

The ARA National Rally Training Center will serve as our operational hub, allowing us to exchange information, train skillfully in safe conditions, and maintain a top-tier rally team capable of managing events as the sport grows. We appreciate Erik Hubbard from Backroads of Appalachia, along with the Appalachian Regional Commission and local leaders, for acknowledging the current economic influence of ARA rallies in numerous small communities nationwide and envisioning the advantages they can offer to the Appalachian area,” stated Lance Smith, founder of Rally Forward, promoter of the ARA, and president of Vermont Sports Car, in a statement.

The facility is involved in a collaboration with Backroads of Appalachia and the broader Appalachian Overland Triangle (AOT) initiative. This program aims not just to organize additional racing events, but also to boost visitor numbers within Appalachia. Motor sports serve as the American Rally Association's method for attracting visitors from outside the region, supported by a $7.4 million funding allocation; however, the alliance also focuses on generating long-term employment opportunities in the area. In either case, rally fans can expect an increase in the number of races held annually.

The facility will occupy 200 acres within Owsley County and include a 1.4-mile off-road track designed for OEMs along with team testing and practice sessions. This test site holds special significance since many independent racing teams require strong connections to gain entry into suitable training locations. Without such access, several teams often take risks by practicing on public highways prior to races. Moreover, a building spanning 60,000 square feet will serve as ARA’s newly established national training hub, where core instructional activities will happen. The same space will also support ARA's ongoing effort to map all publicly accessible roads in the region, developing a comprehensive list of rally-prepared routes.

Ara is an ideal collaborator and key tenant for the AOT initiative," stated Erik Hubbard, the founder of the BoA and coordinator of the Boone Forest Rally, which is classified as an ARA 'Super Regional' competition located in McKee, Kentucky. "This area boasts some of the finest routes in the nation for rallying, and Ara has already demonstrated a successful history of connecting with and assisting local and rural areas via their gatherings.

This statement aligns with Smith's statements to Road & Track Back in 2024, emphasizing the growing enthusiasm for motorsports demands significant financial backing and assistance from both carmakers and regulatory authorities, according to Lance. Many rally teams resemble an informal group of friends rather than a well-organized, professional squad—one aspect that makes rallying appealing to numerous participants—but Smith aims to provide these grassroots teams with additional outside resources as well.

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