2026 Boone Forest Rally Showcases the Power of Rural America

The 2026 Boone Forest Rally once again proved that world-class motorsports can thrive in the heart of Appalachia. Sanctioned by the American Rally Association (ARA), competitors from across the United States traveled to Eastern Kentucky to take on some of the most technical and scenic roads in the country while bringing visitors, tourism, and economic opportunity to our rural communities.

This year’s event began with activities in Laurel County before competitors raced through the winding roads of Jackson and Lee Counties, eventually finishing under the lights at the Appalachian Overland Triangle (AOT) in Owsley County. The spectator super stage and awards ceremony at the AOT brought together race teams, volunteers, families, and fans to celebrate another successful year of rally in Kentucky.

The Boone Forest Rally is about much more than competition. Every hotel room booked, every restaurant visited, every tank of fuel purchased, and every stop at local businesses creates an economic impact that benefits communities often overlooked by traditional tourism. Rally brings thousands of visitors directly into rural Appalachia, demonstrating that our mountains, public lands, and backroads are valuable assets capable of supporting sustainable economic development through outdoor recreation and motorsports tourism. Backroads of Appalachia remains committed to its mission of community first, racing second, using events like the Boone Forest Rally to showcase the beauty, hospitality, and potential of Eastern Kentucky.

Based on the tremendous success of this year’s event, the level of competition, outstanding community support, and positive feedback from competitors, teams, officials, and fans, we believe the Boone Forest Rally has positioned itself to become an American Rally Association National Championship event in 2027. We look forward to continuing to raise the bar and welcoming the nation’s best rally teams back to Kentucky.

The success of this event would not have been possible without an incredible partnership between local, state, and federal agencies. We extend our sincere appreciation to every volunteer fire department, county emergency management agency, EMS service, law enforcement agency, dispatch center, county road department, and the many volunteers who dedicated countless hours to ensuring a safe event for competitors and spectators alike.

A special thank you goes to North Laurel High School for graciously allowing us to utilize its facilities as the official service park. Their partnership and hospitality helped provide a first-class experience for competitors, teams, officials, and volunteers throughout the weekend.

We also thank the Daniel Boone National Forest and the U.S. Forest Service, the fiscal courts and officials from Laurel, Jackson, Lee, and Owsley Counties, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the American Rally Association, our sponsors, property owners, and every volunteer who welcomed visitors with Appalachian hospitality. Events like this simply would not be possible without your support and commitment.

Finally, congratulations to every competitor who tackled Kentucky’s legendary roads. Whether you stood on the podium or simply crossed the finish line, you became part of another chapter in the growing story of rally racing in Appalachia.
The Boone Forest Rally continues to prove that when rural communities work together, they can host world-class events that strengthen local economies, inspire future generations, and introduce visitors from across the United States and around the world to the unmatched beauty of Kentucky’s mountains.

Thank you to everyone who made the 2026 Boone Forest Rally a success. We look forward to seeing you again next year as we continue building one of America’s premier rally events right here in the Backroads of Appalachia.