Hazard, KY (May 2026) - JRD Motorsport has completed a grueling two-day test of the ARC2 rally car, with two-time FIA World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm behind the wheel. Organized by Backroads of Appalachia and the town of Hazard, Kentucky, the test marked a major milestone in the development of what JRD believes is the future of accessible, top-tier American rally competition.
 

Over two full days of aggressive testing, the ARC2 completed the program flawlessly - a critical benchmark for a platform designed to combine outright speed with long-term durability and affordability. Following the test, Grönholm said, “We drove the car hard for two days and had no issues or failures whatsoever. That is unusual for a brand-new car.  The car is neutral and well-balanced. It has great turn-in with no understeer and plenty of rear grip and no oversteer. I can go very fast in this car. It is like it is going on rails.”
 

Grönholm also praised the engineering effort behind the project, adding, “The JRD guys have done a good job designing and building the car,” before noting that he looks forward to future testing and that he enjoys driving in America.
 

For JRD Motorsport Director of Engineering Johan Ragnarsson, the successful test represented a defining moment for the program.

“I have to admit I was a little bit nervous having the two-time world champion in the car, so it was a great feeling seeing Marcus with a smile after his first pass,” Ragnarsson said. “Besides being fast and fun to drive, our goal has been to make the ARC2 affordable to own and race, so I’m happy to see the strength and durability of the car.”

During the visit, Grönholm was also named an honorary “Duke of Hazard” by the Mayor of Hazard, Donald "Happy" Mobelini, a tribute from local officials celebrating his participation in the test and the growing momentum surrounding the rally sport in the region.
 

The ARC2 was created to address one of the biggest challenges facing rally competition in the United States: the extreme cost and logistical complexity of importing and maintaining FIA Rally2 machinery from Europe.

JRD Motorsport engineered the ARC2 to provide comparable performance while dramatically improving accessibility for American teams through domestic manufacturing, support, and resourceful engineering.

The ARC2 features a turbocharged powertrain, advanced aerodynamic development, and extensive use of functional 3D-printed components in both metal and composite materials. This manufacturing approach allows

JRD to achieve high-end engineering precision while reducing the cost level compared to Rally2, which has historically limited access to premier rally machinery in North America.