THE HISTORY
Rally in SOUTHERN Ohio
Southern Ohio Forest Rally: A Legacy of American Stage Rally Racing
Ohio has been a cornerstone of American national championship stage rally events, hosting 32 separate rally events since its formal entry into the MONY Series in 1968. The state played a pivotal role in the SCCA Pro Rally Championship, setting the stage for decades of thrilling rally competition.
In 2017, the Southern Ohio Forest Rally (SOFR) revived many of Ohio’s historic rally stages, making its Rally America debut. By 2018, even more legendary rally roads returned, including the iconic Tar Hollow State Park stages, further cementing Ohio’s place in U.S. rally history.
By 2019, SOFR transitioned to the American Rally Association (ARA) under USAC Racing, expanding its reach and competition level. Working closely with the Ohio Forestry Department, SOFR added the Shawnee State Forest stages to the event. Additionally, in collaboration with the City of Chillicothe, the infamous City Park Stage in Yoctangee Park made a triumphant return, bringing high-speed action to downtown Chillicothe.
Despite the challenges of 2020, SOFR successfully executed a one-day rally event, ranking as one of the largest stage rallies in North America that year.
With a deep-rooted history, legendary rally roads, and a commitment to growing the sport, the Southern Ohio Forest Rally continues to be a premier event in U.S. rally racing. Whether you're a rally driver, co-driver, or motorsports enthusiast, Ohio’s rally heritage and the SOFR experience are second to none.
Only ten drivers have taken overall victories in Ohio, led by John Buffum and Paul Choiniere with five apiece. The battles between Buffum and three-time event winner Rod Millen defined the Ohio stage rally scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with the two drivers finishing 1-2 on five occasions (Buffum came out on top four times).
“The roads in the Ohio forest, dating back to the 1980s, were some of the best in America. Smooth and twisty, they were awesome for a driver!”
PREVIOUS SOUTHERN Ohio Event Winners
1968: Stan Crews/Suzanne Crews
1970: Dave Kuehne/Len Potts
1971: Dick Zwitzer/Gail McGuire
1972: Dick Zwitzer/Gail McGuire
1973: Scott Harvey/Wayne Zitkus
1974: Jim Walker/Terry Palmer
1975: John Buffum/Vicki Dykema
1976: John Buffum/Vicki Dykema
1977: Ralph Brooks/Dick Messal
1978: Jim Walker/Virginia “Ginny” Reese
1979: Rod Millen/Mark Howard
1980: John Woodner/Virginia “Ginny” Reese
1981: Rod Millen/Bob Kraushaar
1982: John Buffum/Doug Shepherd
1983: John Buffum/Doug Shepherd
1984: John Buffum/Neil Wilson
1985: John Buffum/Tom Grimshaw
1986: John Buffum/Tom Grimshaw (Tulip 200)
1986: Rod Millen/Harry Ward
1987: John Buffum/Tom Grimshaw
1988: Paul Choiniere/John Bellefleur
1989: Rod Millen/Tony Sircombe
1990: Paul Choiniere/Scott Weinheimer
1994: Paul Choiniere/John Buffum
1995: Paul Choiniere/Jeff Becker
1996: Paul Choiniere/John Buffum
2017: Arkadiusz Gruszka/Lukasz Wronski
2018: Piotr Fetela/Dominik Jozwiak
2019: Adam Kimmett /Dominic Adams
2020: B. Mckenna/L. Jordan
2021: B. Mckenna/L. Jordan
2022: K. Block/A. Gelsomino
2023: B. Semenuk/K.Williams
2024: B. Semenuk/K.Williams
2025:
RALLY LEGENDS
Ken Block - Remembering a legend
Professional rally driver and head hoon in charge of Hoonigan. Ken’s first SOFR event was in 2020 during the COVID pandemic and with a broken toe. Ken brings an entirely different driving style to rally with his Gymkhana skills and flat-out speed. He brings lots of wins and podiums. Finishing 2nd place in 2020.
Travis Pastrana
Getting his start at a young age on a dirt bike, quickly showing his talent and speed through motocross and X-Games. Travis is a true action sports hero. with his recent 2020 Gymkhana YouTube video with Vermont SportsCar. Including years in the car for stage rally, Travis always puts on an amazing show. This Red Bull superstar has multiple event wins and podiums. Travis’s first SOFR experience, in 2020, sadly did not end well with his car being a total loss from a car fire.
Photo Credit: Marc Sheridan
John Buffum
The most successful American stage rally driver of all-time, with 11 national championships and 117 event victories to his name, Buffum has won in Ohio as both a driver and navigator. Since hanging up his driving gloves, he has served as both a team owner and mentor to many of the sport’s biggest stars, including Travis Pastrana.
Rod Millen
One of the most accomplished international racing drivers in the world, Millen’s triumphs range from multiple SCCA Pro Rally titles, to setting records at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, to victories in off-road trucks, rally raid, and even the 24 Hours of Daytona. Millen’s sons Rhys and Ryan have followed in his footsteps.
Paul Choiniere
The dominant figure in American stage rally at the end of the last millennium, Choiniere won eight SCCA Pro Rally championships from 1990 to 2000. After taking his first win in the state in 1988, he won the last four major stage rallies to take place in Ohio while driving for Audi (1990, 1994) and Hyundai (1995, 1996).
Images on this page were provided by rally historians and past competitors R.W. Graves and Tim Shannon. Click their names for the broad history of rally in southern Ohio.