Lake Superior Performance Rally returns in October
The car of Charlie Discoe bounds through the forest during a past Lake Superior Performance Rally. (Photo courtesy Chris Heikkuri)
Spectators look over the entered vehicles at the Fox Marquette Subaru dealership lot in Marquette during a past Lake Superior Performance Rally. (Photo courtesy Chris Heikkuri)
The car of Charlie Discoe bounds through the forest during a past Lake Superior Performance Rally. (Photo courtesy Chris Heikkuri)
Spectators look over the entered vehicles at the Fox Marquette Subaru dealership lot in Marquette during a past Lake Superior Performance Rally. (Photo courtesy Chris Heikkuri)
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MARQUETTE -- The Fox Marquette Subaru Lake Superior Performance Rally returns in early October as presented by Travel Marquette.
Set for Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 8-10, one of the continent's historic motorsports traditions is back in the Marquette area for high-speed competition on its final two days.
As the eighth and final round of the American Rally Association national championship, this year's event is expected to play a pivotal role in determining the sport's top honors. With several national and class championships still undecided, competitors arrive in Marquette with season-long title battles likely to come down to the final miles of competition.
Organizers filled the rally’s maximum field of 75 entries in just a few hours, and it still has a 20-team waiting list, reinforcing the event's reputation as one of the most sought-after rallies in North America.
Familiar names that include Pastrana, Block, Gelsomino are expected to compete in top-level cars from Subaru, Hyundai and Toyota, complementing an entry list featuring local, regional, national and international teams and a diverse list of vehicles.
Traditionally held during the state's time of peak fall color, the rally combines breathtaking scenery with some of the most demanding roads in American motorsports. Organizers work closely with local and federal governments and agencies to secure stage roads that are widely considered some of the finest around.
Competitors again will tackle iconic stages, including Mount Marquette, which was featured during the 1974 World Rally Championship event, along with fan favorites such as Menge Creek, Al's Playground and the legendary Ottawa National Forest stages. These roads have challenged generations of drivers and helped establish the event's reputation as one of the toughest tests in rallying.
The LSPR has been dubbed "The Oldest, Meanest, Toughest Rally on the Circuit," while its predecessor, the Press On Regardless road rally, was first run as a time-speed distance rally in 1949 before becoming a stage rally in 1969.
In 1973 and 1974, the POR hosted the World Rally Championship.
Reverting back to a time-speed-distance rally in 1994, that's when the Lake Superior Performance Rally was born, running on many of the same roads as the POR.
The LSPR returned to Marquette in 2021 after being headquartered in Houghton for several years.
Economic impact
Beyond the competition itself, the LSPR continues to deliver substantial economic benefits to Marquette County and surrounding communities.
According to post-event economic impact surveys, the rally generated approximately $4.5 million in total economic impact in 2025, including $850,000 in food and dining expenditure, $995,000 in lodging expenditure and $413,000 in fuel purchases.
The annual influx of competitors, crews, volunteers, sponsors, media members and spectators provides a significant boost to local hotels, restaurants, retailers, gas stations and tourism-related businesses around the region.
Spectator access
The rally offers numerous opportunities for fans to safely experience the excitement of stage rally competition through designated spectator areas, service parks, public displays and a downtown celebration.
For the most up to date information on spectating, visit the LSPR website, where the full spectator guide will soon be posted at https://www.lakesuperiorperformancerally.com/spectator-guide.
Schedule
These times are estimates based on the planned schedule. Be sure to follow LSPR social channels for updates over the duration of the rally, and for more information, visit www.LakeSuperiorPerformaceRally.com.
Oct. 8 -- 6:30-8:30 p.m., Parc Expose, Fox Marquette Subaru
Oct. 9 -- 1:20 and 5:20 p.m., Carbliss spectator area, Passmore; 2 and 6 p.m., Incredible Bank spectator area, Far Point; 2:45 and 6:45 p.m., Northwood University spectator area, Bob Lake; 3:40 p.m., service, Sidnaw service area
Oct. 10 -- 9-10 a.m., Parc Expose, Berry Events Center, Marquette; 10:15 a.m., Krist Oil spectator area, Mount Marquette; 11:30 a.m., 2:15 and 4:45 p.m., Texas Roadhouse spectator area, Al's Playground; 12:50 p.m., service No. 2, Sidnaw service area; 6:15 p.m., regional podium ceremony, downtown Marquette; 7:45 p.m., national podium ceremony, downtown Marquette; 8:15 p.m., downtown block party, downtown Marquette
Story contents based on a Virtual Newsroom submission received from Chris Heikkuri.