ACT

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) doesn’t have its own standalone “ACT Rally Championship” in the same way that Queensland (QRC) and New South Wales (NSWRC) do. Instead, rallying in the ACT is primarily centered around events that are part of the national Australian Rally Championship (ARC) and a regional series.

Here’s what you need to know about rallying in the ACT:

Key Aspects of Rallying in the ACT:

  • Rally of Canberra: This is the most significant rally event held in the ACT and is a prominent round of the Australian Rally Championship (ARC). It attracts top national and sometimes international competitors.
    • The Rally of Canberra has a long history, with the modern version starting in 1988. However, the ACT has a history of hosting rally events dating back to the 1970s, including the Castrol International Rally.
    • The stages are typically held in the forests surrounding Canberra, such as the Tidbinbilla and Kowen forests, known for their challenging and scenic roads.
  • ACT Regional Rally Series: There is also a more local series known as the ACT Regional Rally Series, which provides an opportunity for grassroots competitors to participate in rallying. Events in this series may be run by local car clubs like the Brindabella Motor Sport Club (BMSC).
  • Part of National and NSW Championships: The Rally of Canberra often serves as a round for both the Australian Rally Championship and the New South Wales Rally Championship. This means competitors from both championships may participate in the Canberra event.

🗓️ ACT Rally Championship – Expected 2026 Calendar

Rally of Canberra

  • Date: Saturday 7 November 2026
  • Location: ACT / Kowen–Pierces Creek forests
  • Status: Confirmed event, expected ACT championship round

Mini Eden Rally

  • Date: March 2026 (TBC)
  • Location: Eden, NSW
  • Status: Traditionally an ACT round

Bega Valley Rally

  • Date: June 2026 (TBC)
  • Location: Bega Valley, NSW
  • Status: Long‑standing ACT points round

Rally of the Bay

  • Date: 25 July 2026
  • Location: Batemans Bay, NSW
  • Status: Shared ACT / NSW round

Narooma Forest Rally

  • Date: 27 June 2026
  • Location: Narooma, NSW
  • Status: Expected ACT championship round

Monaro Stages

  • Date: October 2026 (TBC)
  • Location: Bombala / Cooma region
  • Status: Traditional ACT season finale

2025 Season:

  • The 2025 Rally of Canberra was held from March 21st to 23rd and was the opening round of the 2025 Australian Rally Championship.
    • The event featured over 220 competitive kilometers across 16 stages.
    • Canberra local Harry Bates and his co-driver Coral Taylor, the reigning ARC champions, were strong contenders.
    • The event also saw entries from competitors in the NSW Rally Championship and the ACT Regional Rally Series.
  • Other events that might be part of the ACT Regional Rally Series in 2025 include:
    • Mini Eden Rally: March 29th
    • Bega Valley Rally: June 7th-8th (This is also a round of the NSW Rally Championship).

History:

  • The Canberra region has a rich history in Australian rallying. The forests around the ACT have been used for rally events for many decades.
  • The Canberra 500 Rally was part of the inaugural Australian Rally Championship in 1968.
  • The ACT also hosted the Don Capasco Rally in the 1970s, an event aiming to bring European-style rallying to Australia. This later evolved into the Castrol International Rally, which attracted international teams.
  • For a period, the Rally of Canberra was also part of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).

To get the most specific details about local ACT rally events and the regional series, it’s best to check the websites of local car clubs like the Brindabella Motor Sport Club (BMSC) and the official Motorsport Australia website.

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