While Western Australia doesn’t have a championship explicitly named the “Western Australia Australian Rally Championship,” it has a strong and vibrant rallying scene with its own premier series that sometimes intersects with the national Australian Rally Championship (ARC).
Here’s what you need to know about rallying in Western Australia:
Key Aspects of Rallying in Western Australia:
- Motorsport Australia WA Rally Championship (WARC): This is the premier rallying series in Western Australia. It’s sanctioned by Motorsport Australia and organized by various car clubs in the state.
- History: Western Australia has a long history of hosting rally events, including rounds of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in Perth from 1988 to 2006, known as Rally Australia.
- Events: The WARC typically consists of a series of events held throughout the year in different locations across Western Australia, utilizing the state’s diverse terrain, including forests and open countryside.
- Supporting Series: Alongside the WARC, there are also other series catering to different levels and vehicle types, such as the WA 2WD Rally Championship and the Clubman series.
- Connection to the Australian Rally Championship (ARC): The Forest Rally in Western Australia is often a round of the national Australian Rally Championship, attracting top teams and drivers from across the country. This provides an opportunity for local WA competitors to compete at a national level.
✅ 2026 WA Rally Championship (WARC) – Confirmed Calendar
Round 1 – WARC Round 1 (Event name TBC)
- Date: Saturday 11 April 2026
- Location: Western Australia
- Notes: Season opener
Round 2 – Forest Rally
- Dates: Friday–Sunday, 22–24 May 2026
- Location: Nannup, WA
- Notes:
- Also Round 2 of the 2026 Australian Rally Championship (ARC)
- WA’s premier rally event
Round 3 – Experts Cup Rally
- Date: Saturday 20 June 2026
- Location: Collie, WA
- Notes:
- Moved from a late‑season slot to mid‑June for 2026
Round 4 – Karri Rally
- Dates: Friday–Saturday, 24–25 July 2026
- Location: Manjimup region, WA
- Notes: Mid‑winter forest gravel rally
Round 5 – Grimwade Rally (Safari in Grimwade)
- Date: Saturday 29 August 2026
- Location: Balingup / Grimwade forests, WA
- Notes:
- Traditionally one of the toughest rallies on the WA calendar
Round 6 – Warren River Rally
- Date: Saturday 17 October 2026
- Location: Pemberton, WA
- Notes: Championship finale
📌 Key Points for 2026
- The WA Rally Championship remains at six rounds for 2026
- Forest Rally continues as both a state and ARC round, attracting national crews to WA
- Major calendar change versus 2025:
- Experts Cup moved from late October to June
- Warren River Rally becomes the season finale
2025 Season (as of May 6, 2025):
The 2025 ARC Plant Hire WA Rally Championship calendar includes the following events:
- Round 1: Winvale Stages – April 12 (Bakers Hill)
- Round 2: Forest Rally – May 23-25 (Nannup) – This event is also a round of the Australian Rally Championship.
- Round 3: Grimwade Stages – June 21 (Donnybrook)
- Round 4: Karri Rally – July 19 (Manjimup)
- Round 5: Warren River Rally (Champion Autoglass) – August 9 (Pemberton)
- Round 6: Experts Cup (DCL Contracting) – October 25 (Collie)
Recent Champions (WA Rally Championship):
- 2022: John O’Dowd (Driver), Toni Feaver (Co-Driver)
- 2023: John O’Dowd (Driver), Toni Feaver (Co-Driver)
- 2024: John O’Dowd (Driver), Toni Feaver (Co-Driver)
Related Rallying Activity in Western Australia:
- Forest Rally: As mentioned, this is a significant event, often part of the ARC, held in the forests of the southwest.
- Tarmac Events WA: Western Australia also has a thriving tarmac rally scene, with events like rally sprints held at venues like Perth Motorplex.
- WA Car Club (WACC) & Light Car Club of WA (LCC): These are key organizers of rally events in the state.
For the most current information, including detailed event regulations, competitor lists, and results, you should visit the official RallyWA website (rallywa.com) and the Motorsport Australia website.