Shift Up Now Athlete Madelyn Tabor trailed the championship leader by only two points to close out an exceptional 2026 American Rally Association National Championship season with a fourth-place L4WD class finish at the Lake Superior Performance Rally (LSPR) on October 9– 10, 2026.
Driving the No. 209 Madelyn Tabor Racing / Matrix Motorsports Ford Fiesta Rally 3 nicknamed “Jellybean,” Tabor is supported by Shift Up Now, WIMNA, Steven Redd Racing, Tabor Accounting Group, and Fox Marquette Ford.
LSPR, based in Marquette, Michigan, was the eighth and final round of the ARA national championship. Known as one of the most demanding events on the calendar, it brings competitors to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for fast forest roads, sandy surfaces, changing grip, and unpredictable fall weather.
Tabor entered the season finale leading the National L4WD championship after earning max points and her first-ever L4 class win at Overmountain Rally Tennessee.
Tabor and teammate Sophia McKee completed pre-event recce on Thursday, ahead of the competition, giving them the opportunity to write and refine their pace notes for LSPR’s Upper Peninsula roads. Compared to the tight, rocky roads of Overmountain, LSPR presented a different challenge: fast forest roads, sandy surfaces, rhythm changes, and weather-dependent grip.
The race began on Friday under sunny skies over the very fast, flowy Upper Peninsula roads. Early in the first loop, the No. 209 team developed a mechanical issue inside the car when a nut backed out and caused the shift linkage to become loose. Tabor and McKee sourced a replacement nut from another competitor, but that one also backed out. To keep the car going, a zip tie was added to hold the shift linkage in place before the final stage of the first loop as a temporary fix.
The third stage of the first five-stage loop was canceled, and despite the shift-linkage issue, Tabor and McKee continued to manage the car and work through the day with the championship picture still in mind.
The second loop brought another major challenge: dust. Visibility issues caused significant time loss and made it difficult to attack the roads with confidence. As conditions worsened, and with safety in mind, the final two stages of the five-stage loop were canceled.
On Saturday, the duo continued the race, focusing on clean execution, trusting the notes, and using the more technical road character to rebuild confidence and speed. The tighter Saturday stages suited their approach better, allowing them to find flow and continue pushing within the limits of the rally and the car.
The final Power Stage, SS16 Al’s Playground, was 7.73 miles. Tabor and McKee set an SS16 time of 7:42.6, finishing 11th overall on the Power Stage and 3rd in LN4/L4WD power-stage position.
Ultimately, “Jellybean" crossed the finish line with a total time of 1:31:26.4, placing Tabor and McKee 16th overall and 4th in National L4WD.
When the numbers were calculated, Tabor ended the season with 95 points, just two behind the ARA championship winner.
“I’m obviously disappointed we weren't able to secure the championship here, and to lose it by two points certainly stings,” said Tabor, “but I am still proud of what we were able to accomplish here at the Lake Superior Performance Rally.
“It’s been an exciting year filled with growth and so many amazing things to celebrate! This season has been all about learning, building, and continuing to grow with the Rally3. We earned our first L4 class win, fought for the championship until the final round, and proved that this program belongs in that fight.
“Huge thank you to Sophia, the entire Tabor Racing Team crew, Matrix Motorsports, Shift Up Now, WIMNA, Steven Redd Racing, Tabor Accounting Group, and Fox Marquette Ford. Being the first rally athlete recognized and funded by Shift Up Now means so much to me, and their support has helped make this year of development possible. We gained a lot this season and I’m excited to keep building from here."
