STRYKER Motorsport & ARA Announce STRYKER Challenge Series Debuting in 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Salt Lake City, Utah - December 2025
STRYKER Motorsport & ARA Announce STRYKER Challenge Series Debuting in 2026
STRYKER Motorsport today announced the creation of the STRYKER Challenge, a one-make series that will be added to the American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship events beginning June 2026. The announcement marks a major step forward in bringing purpose-built, professionally supported rally vehicles to a broader field of drivers and teams, making high-level stage rally more accessible for all.
Unlike the competition classes that currently comprise the ARA National, Eastern, Central, and Western Regional Championships, which are fundamentally modified versions of production-based vehicles, the STRYKER Challenge will feature vehicles specifically designed and built for high-performance stage rally. The STRYKER Challenge promises a complete, turn-key rally program with each vehicle engineered, assembled, and supported directly by STRYKER Motorsport to ensure performance parity, predictable costs, and a level playing field for competitors.
Technical Overview of the STRYKER Rally Platform
The STRYKER competition vehicle is built on a bespoke, rally-focused chassis engineered with safety, durability, and serviceability at its core. Power comes from the acclaimed 240-horsepower Rotax three-cylinder turbo engine paired with the AWD 7-speed DCT drivetrain sourced from the 2026 Can-Am Maverick R X RC. This proven powertrain has already earned victories at both the Baja 1000 and King of the Hammers, demonstrating exceptional reliability and performance in some of the harshest environments in motorsport.
By utilizing cutting-edge technology and a widely available, mass-production powertrain, STRYKER delivers a platform that combines low operating costs with high-performance stage times, expected to slot between Rally2 and Rally3 machinery, making it an ideal foundation for a national spec rally class.
Safety remains the top priority. All STRYKER ARA-spec vehicles come equipped with:
- FIA-inspired halo seats
- Safety-glass windshields and Lexan side windows
- High-density, energy-absorbing foam in critical impact zones
- Six-point racing harnesses
- Integrated wiring for the RallySafe GPS tracking system
This comprehensive package ensures competitors benefit from professional-grade protection while maintaining a predictable and cost-effective maintenance cycle throughout the season.
The STRYKER Challenge is structured around a tightly controlled spec platform, offering a uniquely affordable entry point into high-level rallying without compromising performance or safety.
STRYKER expects between six and ten cars on the grid for the inaugural 2026 season, establishing a competitive and diverse field from the start.
STRYKER Motorsport co-founder and professional driver Cole Powelson, who has more than 20 years of motorsport and vehicle development experience, emphasized the significance of the new category.
"Competing in professional rally has been a lifelong dream of mine," said Powelson. "Launching this class is an opportunity to introduce a new, truly exciting rally car to North America while making the sport more accessible to more drivers. By lowering operational costs without compromising speed or safety and offering arrive-and-drive programs along with driver-development opportunities, we're building a pathway for the next generation of competitors."
Adding significant momentum to the program, Aaron Kaufman, a well-known fabricator, racer, and television personality (Arclight Fabrication / Gas Monkey Garage), has joined STRYKER Motorsport as Technical Director and will also compete in the inaugural season. His leadership strengthens the series’ credibility and visibility from day one.
“The STRYKER is a breath of fresh air and a glimpse at the future of American stage rally.”
-Aaron Kaufman
STRYKER also confirms the participation of Block House Racing, who will field entries and provide support throughout the inaugural season, expanding the competitive depth and continuing the legacy of the Block name in American Rally.
“I am thrilled to return to the rally stages in 2026, driving a Stryker. I am particularly excited about this new vehicle and the opportunities it presents for entry into the ARA.”
-Lucy Block
“Stryker takes a proven platform with superior capability, performance, and reliability at an affordable price point, which addresses some of the biggest roadblocks to rallying. For us, that amplifies our road map to rally in offering top-level seat time in a package that brings rallying into the 21st century. Rally Ready focuses on developing drivers end-to-end with training, vehicle storage, builds, and maintenance, and ARA competition on-site in our RallySprint series. The Stryker adds a new option offering more seat time per dollar than any other readily available option for rallying, and we're excited to get on stage both here at the Rally Ranch, and across the US in regional and national rallies with Cole, Aaron, and the whole team.”
-Dave Carapetyan – CEO Rally Ready
The partnership between STRYKER Motorsport and the ARA reflects a shared vision: expand
access to rally while elevating the professionalism and excitement of the sport. With a
controlled-spec platform, factory-level support at events, and a clear development pathway for drivers, the STRYKER Challenge is positioned to become a standout addition to the national rally landscape.
“As ARA, our mission is to preserve, promote, and grow the sport of stage rally in America,” said Preston Osborn, ARA series manager. “While the STRYKER Challenge is a departure from the longstanding tradition of our sport being all about production-based vehicles, purpose-built rally platforms are not without precedent, the most obvious being the current generation of Rally1 cars in the World Rally Championship.
“The STRYKER Challenge is an exciting concept that aligns well with our intent to enhance American Rally for everyone, including organizers, competitors, and fans. Offering a high-level arrive-and-drive option that may appeal to participants in spec series in other branches of motorsport is a great way to safely and efficiently bring more people into rally and showcase driver and co-driver skill in identically prepared cars. Meanwhile, expanding to two series at each stop on the National Championship adds to the quality and depth of the ARA show, benefitting our organizers and the fans.”
Driver and Team Enrollment for 2026 Season – Limited Spots Available
STRYKER Motorsport is now accepting limited build slots for the 2026 STRYKER
Challenge season.
Interested teams and drivers can contact:
John@drivestryker.com or Cole@drivestryker.com
About STRYKER Motorsport
STRYKER Motorsport is an American high-performance vehicle manufacturer founded in Salt Lake City, Utah. With roots in professional motorsport, advanced chassis development, and off-road racing, STRYKER builds ultra-capable on- and off-road vehicles that combine motorsport engineering with rugged versatility. The company's mission is to make world-class performance accessible while maintaining uncompromising safety, reliability, and driver engagement.
