The premier rallying series in South Australia is the South Australian Rally Championship (SARC). It has a long and rich history, spanning over 60 years, and features a variety of events on classic South Australian roads.
Key Aspects of the South Australian Rally Championship:
- Premier Series: The SARC is the top-tier rally competition in South Australia.
- History: The championship has a significant history, with the first recorded champion in 1976.
- Events: The 2025 MRF Tyres Australia SARC consists of three main events, each lasting at least one day, with two events being run over two heats. These events take place on closed council roads in various locations across South Australia.
- Supporting Series: Alongside the main championship, there are also the South Australian Clubman Championship and the South Australian Regularity Series, catering to different levels of experience and vehicle preparation.
- Pathway: The SARC provides a platform for drivers to develop their skills and potentially move into the Australian Rally Championship (ARC). The Adelaide Hills Rally has often been a round of the ARC, allowing local talent to compete against national competitors.
✅ 2026 South Australian Rally Championship (SARC) – Confirmed Calendar
Round 1 – Shannons Rally of the Heartland
- Dates: Friday 24 – Sunday 26 April 2026
- Location: Mid North / Clare–Burra region, SA
- Format: Multi‑day event, multiple heats
Round 2 – MSS Safety Rally Barossa
- Dates: Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 August 2026
- Location: Barossa Valley, SA
- Format: Two‑day state championship rally
Round 3 – UME Adelaide Hills Rally ⭐
- Dates: Friday 2 – Sunday 4 October 2026
- Location: Adelaide Hills, SA
- Notes:
- Final round of the SARC
- Round 5 of the 2026 Australian Rally Championship (ARC)
📌 Key Points for 2026
- The SARC remains a three‑round championship, focusing on quality, multi‑day events rather than volume
- Each event counts strongly toward the title, with no drop rounds
- The Adelaide Hills Rally again serves as both an ARC and SARC round, giving SA crews national‑level exposure on home roads
- SARC runs alongside:
- SA Clubman Rally Series
- SA Rally Regularity Series
2025 Season (as of May 6, 2025):
The 2025 MRF Tyres Australia South Australian Rally Championship events are:
- Round 1: Shannons Rally of the Heartland – April 25-27 (Burra, South Australia)
- Round 2: MSS Safety Rally Barossa – August 2-3 (Rowland Flat, South Australia)
- Round 3: Rally of the Hills – October 3-5 (Mount Barker, South Australia)
Recent Champions:
- 2022: Jamie Pohlner (Driver), Adam ‘Beaker’ Branford (Co-Driver) – Mitsubishi EVO 9
- 2023: David McDonough (Driver), Steve Hiser (Co-Driver) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6
- 2024: Darren Crozier (Driver), Michelle Crozier (Co-Driver) – Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Related Rallying Activity in South Australia:
- Adelaide Rally: This is a tarmac rally event held annually, attracting a large field and running on closed roads in the Adelaide Hills and surrounding areas.
- Rally of South Australia (Rally SA) / Rally of the Heartland: This event has historically been a round of the Australian Rally Championship. The 2025 edition was the Shannons Rally of the Heartland.
- South Australian Regularity Series: Aimed at beginners, this series emphasizes accuracy and safety over outright speed, with minimal safety equipment requirements and the use of regular road cars.
- South Australian Autocross Series & Championship: These events provide an entry point into competitive motorsport on dirt or grass tracks.
- Rally Schools: There are opportunities to experience rally driving at dedicated facilities like the Rally School Adelaide in Walky Park.
For the most up-to-date information, including regulations, event details, and results, you should visit the official South Australian Rallying website (sarally.net.au)