Lia Block makes tarmac debut in Lancia Rally4 in France

Lia Block will compete in her first rally outside America and make her asphalt debut at next week's Rallye National d'Automne Charente-Maritime in France. The 20-year-old will drive a Team FJ Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF on the 10-stage event, which runs inland from La Rochelle, with Alex Gelsomino again co-driving.

Block will face a packed SMRC4 class, with 13 other Rally4 drivers chasing the win. The Friday-Saturday rally covers 87 stage miles across four loops. Her last outing came at the Lake Superior Performance Rally, where she came within two points of the ARA National Championship title.

Block has previous experience on tarmac from two years in F1 Academy, but her time on asphalt stages has been limited to occasional spectator stages on ARA rounds. She is expected to test the Ypsilon for the first time on Tuesday, ahead of the Friday start in what are expected to be challenging weather conditions.