Canadian Rally Champion Semenuk to Make WRC2 Debut at Rally Latvia
Brandon Semenuk, the two-time American rally champion and Subaru Motorsports USA works driver, is set to make his FIA World Rally Championship debut next month. The 33-year-old Canadian will be joining the new-for-2023 Tet Rally Latvia, set to take place around the Liepāja region.
Semenuk will be competing in the WRC2 class, piloting a private Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 machine in a bid to gain more experience for his American Rally Association (ARA) campaign. Speaking to DirtFish.com, the Canadian driver expressed his excitement about the opportunity, acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead.
“This is something I’ve been thinking about for a while, competing in Europe is obviously going to be different to what I’m used to. Latvia is a good event, it’s obviously new to the WRC, so it does bring a little more of a level playing field,” Semenuk said.
Despite the unfamiliar terrain, Semenuk is aware of the fierce competition he’ll be facing, noting that “the national championships are really strong and we know that a lot of these WRC crews [competing in WRC2] have done events out that way already.”
However, the Canadian’s focus remains on learning and development:
“I want to learn and to get the experience. Regardless of where I sit on the times and I really don’t expect a whole lot, it would be nice to find progress throughout the event. And to leave with a bit of an understanding of where I still need to develop as a driver and find more speed,” he added.
Semenuk will be co-driven by his regular partner, the Englishman Keaton Williams, who has previous experience with Toyota machinery, having co-driven for the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Japanese driver Takamoto Katsuta in the 2021 Renties Ypres Rally Belgium.
As the 2023 FIA WEC championship season approaches, this exciting news from the world of Dakar Rally showcases the growing talent and ambition of Canadian rally drivers like Semenuk, who are seeking to make their mark on the global stage. Fans of motorsports can look forward to following Semenuk’s journey as he takes on the challenge of the Tet Rally Latvia in the WRC2 class next month.
The 2023 Tet Rally Latvia is scheduled to take place from 17-22 July, and the official entry list will be published in due course.
🔗 Source