The Victorian Rally Championship (VRC) is the premier rallying series in Victoria, Australia, sanctioned by Motorsport Australia. It has a rich history, with the first championship event held in 1961.
Key Aspects of the Victorian Rally Championship:
- Premier Series: The VRC is the highest level of rallying in Victoria.
- History: Evolved from car trials in the early 1960s to the special stage rally format we know today.
- Events: The championship typically consists of around 5 events held throughout the year in various regional locations across Victoria. These events are organized by Motorsport Australia-affiliated car clubs.
- Supporting Series: The VRC also includes awards for:
- Victorian Two Wheel Drive Rally Championship (VRC-2WD)
- Various vehicle classes
- Clubman (for less experienced drivers in non-turbocharged 4WD vehicles)
- Novice (for very beginner drivers in non-turbocharged 4WD vehicles)
- Pathway: The VRC serves as a crucial stepping stone for Victorian competitors aspiring to compete in the Australian Rally Championship (ARC).
- Economic Impact: Rally events bring economic benefits to regional Victoria by utilizing local facilities and services.
✅ 2026 Victorian Rally Championship (VRC) – Draft Calendar
Round 1 – George Woods Rally
- Date: Saturday, 13 February 2026
- Location: Powelltown, VIC
Round 2 – Mitta Mountain Rally
- Date: Saturday, 21 March 2026
- Location: Mitta Mitta, VIC
Round 3 – Ada River Rally
- Date: Saturday, 18 April 2026
- Location: Noojee / Ada, VIC
Round 4 – Bega Valley Rally
- Date: Friday–Saturday, 1–2 May 2026
- Location: Bega Valley, NSW
- Note: Cross‑border event counting for VRC points
Round 5 – Rally of the Bay
- Date: Saturday, 16 May 2026
- Location: Batemans Bay, NSW
Round 6 – Valley Stages Rally
- Date: Saturday, 30 May 2026
- Location: Yarra Valley, VIC
Round 7 – Gippsland Rally
- Date: Friday–Sunday, 22–24 May 2026
- Location: Heyfield / Gippsland, VIC
- Note: Also Round 6 of the Australian Rally Championship (ARC)
Round 8 – Akademos Rally
- Date: Saturday, 8 August 2026
- Location: Western Victoria
Round 9 – Valley Stages II / Moyhu Region Rally
- Date: Saturday, 12 September 2026
- Location: North East Victoria
Round 10 – Sunraysia Rally / Southern Cross
- Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026
- Location: Sunraysia / Mallee, VIC
Championship Finale – Alpine Rally / Mitchel River Hinterland
- Date: Saturday, 25 October 2026
- Location: Eastern Victoria
📌 Important Notes
- This is a draft calendar and still marked as subject to change
- Cross‑border NSW events (Bega Valley, Rally of the Bay) count toward the VIC Championship
- The Gippsland Rally is a major double‑points and ARC‑linked event
- Final round allocation and points weighting will be confirmed in the 2026 VRC Sporting Regulations
2025 Season (as of May 6, 2025):
Based on the VIC Rally website, here are the confirmed and upcoming events for the 2025 Victorian Rally Championship:
- Round 1: Boisdale Rallysprint – January 18 (Results available)
- Round 2: Ada River Rally – May 10 (Noojee)
- Round 3: Bega Valley Rally – June 7-8 (Bega – this event is also part of the NSW Rally Championship)
- Round 4: Gippsland Rally (ARC Round) – August 22-24 (Heyfield)
- Round 5: Valley Stages Rally – September 20 (Yarra Glen)
- Round 6: Akademos Rally / Bog a Duck Rally – October 19 (Alexandra)
Recent Champions:
- 2022: Adrian Stratford (Driver), Kain Manning (Co-Driver) – Subaru Impreza WRX
- 2023: Justin Dowel (Driver), Tracey Dewhurst (Co-Driver) – Mitsubishi Mirage
- 2024: Adrian Stratford (Driver), Anthony Staltari (Co-Driver) – Ford Fiesta
Related Championships & Events in Victoria:
- Victorian Club Rally Series (VCRS): A more grassroots level series running alongside the VRC. Some VCRS events are also rounds of the VRC.
- Gippsland Rally: This event is a significant round of both the Victorian Rally Championship and the Australian Rally Championship in 2025.
- Alpine Rally of East Gippsland: A historic and iconic rally event, the next edition is scheduled for November 28-30, 2025.
- Tarmac Rallies: Victoria also hosts tarmac rally events, which are a different discipline of rallying held on sealed roads (e.g., Australian Tarmac Rally).
- Hyundai Excel Rally Series & Fiesta Rally Series: These are single-make categories associated with the VRC, providing a more level playing field for competitors.
For the most current information, including detailed event regulations, competitor lists, and results, you should visit the official VIC Rally website and the Motorsport Australia website.