Arctic Rally Countdown

6,300 miles in about 11 days sounds unrealistic until you meet Andy and Mercedes Lillienthal, the kind of rally couple who treats the map like a promise. They’re heading back to the Alcan 5000, one of the most iconic endurance road rallies in North America, and the goal is not raw speed. It’s precision: a time-speed-distance rally where you chase a master schedule, hit invisible checkpoints on time, and adapt when real life shows up in the lane next to you. 

We talk through what makes this year’s Alcan 5000 so intense, including long stretches of dirt and gravel, remote northern routes pushing toward the Arctic Circle and the Arctic Ocean, and the very real possibility that ferries and water crossings can change the plan overnight. Andy explains how the scoring works, why “it is not a race” matters for safety, and how their team stays competitive while driving on public roads. 

Then we get nerdy in the best way with a walkaround of their 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness setup: all-terrain tires, upgraded lights, skid plates, modest lift, recovery gear, extra fuel, and a roof-mounted Starlink system powered from the car so they can post updates without waiting until 2 a.m. Back in the studio, we also hit Jeff’s racing calendar, Mike’s “This Week In Auto History,” and a headline about Chrysler’s new minivan ad campaign that you have to hear to believe. 

If you enjoy rally driving, overlanding, road trip planning, and smart vehicle prep, subscribe for more, share this with your favorite car friend, and leave us a quick review so more listeners can find the show.

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