COLUMBUS, OH — As the engines rev up for the 2025 Southern Ohio Forest Rally (SOFR), the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry has announced temporary forest road and bridle trail closures across several state forests to ensure safety during the high-speed racing event.
The closures will be in effect on the following dates:
- June 10–11: Scioto Trail State Forest
- June 13: Shawnee State Forest
- June 14: Zaleski State Forest
The closures will impact forest roads and horse (bridle) trails used as part of the rally stages. Visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly and consult official spectator maps available at the Southern Ohio Forest Rally website for access details and closure information.
The SOFR, running June 10–14, is part of the American Rally Association (ARA) Championship and has grown into one of the most celebrated rally events in the United States. The race returns to the rugged, twisty terrain of Ohio’s forests—terrain hailed by rally legend John Buffum as “some of the best in America.”
A Rally with Deep Roots
Ohio’s connection to stage rally racing dates back to 1968, with the state serving as a historic venue for SCCA Pro Rally events. Revived in 2017, SOFR has since expanded to include iconic routes like Tar Hollow State Park and the City Park Stage in downtown Chillicothe. In 2019, it officially joined the ARA under USAC Racing, further elevating its competitive profile.
Through close collaboration with ODNR, SOFR has integrated routes in Shawnee, Scioto Trail, and Zaleski State Forests, creating a blend of breathtaking scenery and white-knuckle driving that attracts competitors and fans from across the nation.
SOFR winners in recent years include:
- Brandon Semenuk/Kejan Williams (2023, 2024)
- Ken Block/Alex Gelsomino (2022)
- Barry McKenna/Leon Jordan (2020, 2021)
Honoring a Racing Legacy
With only ten drivers ever claiming overall wins in Ohio’s rally history, the state’s challenging courses have long been a proving ground for legends like John Buffum, Rod Millen, and Paul Choiniere. Their epic duels in the 1970s and 80s helped define the sport in America.
“The roads in the Ohio forest, dating back to the 1980s, were smooth, twisty, and awesome for a driver,” Buffum once said, recalling the adrenaline-pumping nature of the courses.
