CIRCLEVILLE, OH — July 14, 2025 — Local rally drivers Mike Cessna and Jamie Lambert of Circleville, Ohio, have made motorsports history by securing the first overall win in a two-wheel drive vehicle at the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally (STPR) in over four decades. The victory came during a jam-packed American Rally Association (ARA) summer doubleheader that featured more than 200 miles of competition and 40 teams across Pennsylvania and Missouri.
Driving a 1998 BMW M3 in the Open 2WD (O2WD) class, Cessna and Lambert stunned the rally world by not only winning their class, but outpacing every four-wheel drive team in the field to claim the top podium spot—something no two-wheel drive team has accomplished at STPR since 1981.
“What an incredible race!” Cessna posted on social media after the event. “We did something at STPR we thought we could only dream of doing.”
From Penalty to Podium
The team’s journey wasn’t without challenges. After leading early stages, Cessna and Lambert were hit with a 90-second penalty for speeding on a transit road, briefly dropping them from the top three. But a mechanical retirement from another leading team and a dominant performance in high-speed forest stages allowed the Ohio duo to claw their way back into the overall lead by stage eight.
They held onto that lead through the final day of competition, conquering the grueling “Waste Management” stages, tight hairpins, and even the infamous Waste Management Jump.
“To say we are beyond thankful is an understatement,” Cessna said. “This is a win for everyone who’s helped us along the way.”
A Family and Community Effort
Cessna gave heartfelt thanks to his wife, Lacey, who stayed home with their five children during the race, and his brother Rick, a regular presence at nearly all of his rally events since 2019. He also credited the dedication of his extended family, crew, volunteers, and sponsors including Dress Right Dress, LIQUI MOLY, SKI, Fleet Force, Bella Freight, Ava Logistics, and HOTSHOT107.
“We hope we gave you what you came to watch—some edge-of-your-seat action,” Cessna added.
A Rally to Remember
Other winners from the STPR included James Pryzbylkowski and Ethan Curtis, who took second overall and first in Limited 4WD; and Andrew Williamson and Julia Stewart, who placed third overall and first in the Naturally Aspirated 4WD class. Meanwhile, the Missouri Ozark Rally saw Ryan Rethy and James Dallman dominate the NA4WD class, claiming their second major win of the season.
But it was the Circleville duo of Cessna and Lambert who stole the show, proving that with grit, teamwork, and passion, even the oldest records can be broken.
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