Looking Back at Ojibwe Forests Rally: X Shift Gearboxes in Action with AZE Rally Team

This summer, AZE Rally Team took on the legendary Ojibwe Forests Rally in Minnesota, a key round of the American Rally Association (ARA) championship.

The journey was intense: a 24-hour tow from Canada, followed by two challenging days of racing on August 22–23. But with the AZE002 rally car equipped with a freshly revitalized engine and X Shift sequential gearbox, the team was ready to face every gravel stage.

Behind the wheel, Vincent Trudel delivered both speed and precision, while co-driver Glen Ray delivered flawless pace notes across Minnesota’s fast, flowing roads.

The rally was a true test for both driver and equipment. Long, high-speed straights and technical corners pushed the drivetrain to its limits — and once again, X Shift gearboxes proved their reliability and performance, delivering smooth, precise shifts and enduring the punishing conditions without compromise.

The crew delivered an impressive performance, finishing 6th overall and claiming 3rd place in the L4WD class.

For X Shift, this event highlighted what we’ve always known: our gearboxes are built to perform in the most demanding environments, helping drivers compete at their best — whether in Canada, the U.S., or anywhere across the globe.

The Ojibwe Forests Rally was a milestone in AZE Rally Team’s season, and a proud moment for X Shift Gearboxes, showing that reliability, precision, and strength truly make the difference on rally stages.