Overmountain Rally - Penultimate Round of 2026 ARA National Championship
With the 2025 American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship season wrapped up at the final event in Michigan, the Appalachian Rallysport team has already begun planning for the third installment of the Overmountain Rally Tennessee. The 2026 rally (September 18-19) will once again be headquartered in Newport, Tennessee and will feature the technical gravel stages of the Cherokee National Forest with Newport Speedway as Rally HQ and service area.
“We’ve received strong support from the local community in Cocke County, and I’m very happy to be keeping the rally in Newport again next year. One of the major consistencies in competitor feedback last year was the request to simplify movement and shorten recce schedules. Basing the event in Newport this year solved those issues.”
- Dave Matheson, Chairman
The 2026 rally will conclude at Newport Speedway on Saturday night, and will feature the now famous head-to-head super special on the high-banked short track followed by the podiums and afterparty.
“One of the things we felt like we missed this year was the party atmosphere at the finish of the rally. We’re working with the speedway to not only create a fun and exciting finish, but a one-of-a-kind afterparty under the lights on Saturday night. We’re also looking at new ways to bring the rally out to the community in a free and family friendly environment. There will be quite a few changes to event format for 2026 to accomplish both of these goals.”
-Dave Matheson, Chairman
With over two hours of competition for all finishers in 2025, the Overmountain Rally differentiates itself from all other events in the ARA National Championship. An average speed of 44.1 mph for the overall winners Conner Martell and Alex Gelsomino in a Rally2 Skoda Fabia RS is confirmation that Overmountain is the most technical event on the ARA calendar. Regional competitors Gabe Jocobsohn and Jason Hack averaged 38 mph en route to the overall regional category win.
Photo by: Cooper Page
“We read every comment on our competitor and volunteer surveys, and we’ll make some changes for next year based on participant feedback. Rest assured the 2026 rally will once again offer technical Appalachian stages, stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and over two hours of intense competition. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back again next year.”
-Andrew Frick, Clerk of the Course
Calculations based on event participation data provided by the ARA series promoter showed that the 2025 Overmountain Rally generated over $500,000 in direct impact in Cocke County. This came in the form of hotel rooms, cabin rentals, food, fuel, and other necessities for the 50 national championship rally teams and hundreds of volunteers and fans in attendance.
Photo by: Octane ATL
“We are planning to push harder on promotion next year. The economic impact numbers are great, and bringing in a higher number of out-of-town fans for multiple days of rally action will really drive this number up. We’ve been building slowly, and it’s time to start showing the world how much this event has to offer!”
-Dave Matheson, Chairman
Photo by: Octane ATL
The Overmountain Rally Tennessee™ is wholly owned and operated by Appalachian Rallysport LLC, sanctioned and insured by United States Auto Club (USAC)/ American Rally Association (ARA) and promoted by Rally Forward LLC.