Martin Road - WCR 648

Trail Overview

Martin Road, or Washington County Road 648 is a gravel-dirt mixed road going through rural Washington County land and portions of the Potosi Unit within Mark Twain National Forest. The road features a unique use as an official Rally Stage in the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood (Spring-March) and the Show-Me Rally (Fall-November), and it closes on the days of these two events annually. The road features all the main Missouri rural road core elements, a curvy road through the woods and property lines of the Trace Creek Branch ridge top, only to rapidly change elevation on an eroded hill, landing in the valley, where the road parallels a branch of the Cubb Creek, occasionally using the creek bed as road, and crossing via low water bridges, before ending where the branch creek converges with the main Cubb Creek. The road supports access to one Forest Service road and has an intersection with the Ozark Trail, both are found on the western ridge top portion. Come drive the scenic stage that the Rally tears through, just at a normal-day safe speed! Rally in the 100 Acre Wood action photos provided by Brad Plant Photography.

Photos of Martin Road - WCR 648

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Difficulty

Martin Road is given a base rating of 2/10 for one steep graded hill mid way through the track, having mild forms of erosion in the path, and the two shallow water crossings found on the track, amounting to a 3-6 inch splash in normal conditions. It is safe to expect all the normal gravel road complications of washboards, mounding, and potholes. The difficulty could increase due to lack of maintenance or extreme wet and inclement conditions.

History

Founded in 1977, the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood has been a driver favorite since its inception. Sweeping turns and fast straights make this one of the fastest rallies on the calendar. Commitment and confidence are key. One of the most important places to commit? The rally's famous cattle guard jump that sees cars fly over 100 feet. 2025 marks the 30th running of this historic event, and the event is third as a part of the American Rally Association National Championship Series. In recent years, downtown Potosi has shut down part of North Missouri Street after the Rally to allow fans to get up close and personal with the competition rally cars parked along the strip; sometimes drivers are known to show and mingle with fans. Notable Stats: Ken Block won here 7 times, and the closest margin of victory was 7 seconds in 2007.

Technical Rating