The ARC’s Guide to Adelaide Hills Rally

The EROAD Australian Rally Championship (ARC) heads to South Australia this weekend for the fifth round of the 2026 season, with the Adelaide Hills Rally set to deliver the championship’s final Sprint event of the year.

Based in Mount Barker and the surrounding shire roads of the picturesque Adelaide Hills, the event marks the ARC’s penultimate round of the season and comes with the championship battle tighter than ever following a dramatic Subaru Wilderness Rally Tasmania.

Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin arrive in South Australia as the new championship leaders after taking victory in Tasmania, while Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall sit just 12 points behind after finishing second.

Harry Bates and Coral Taylor have dropped to third in the championship following their retirement in Tasmania, leaving the reigning champions 58 points behind Pedder and Macneall and a mountain to climb.

With just two rounds remaining, the pressure will be on all three crews, but particularly Harry and Taylor, who will be looking to make up valuable ground this weekend and cannot afford another costly result.

The three-way championship fight will headline a strong ARC field, with Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin looking to extend their lead aboard their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, while Pedder and Macneall will be aiming to continue their consistent run in the Pedders Rally Team protected by Famous Insurance Skoda Fabia Rally2.

While there is undeniable pressure in the outright championship battle, the WOLF Sports Cup is also set for a fascinating contest.

ARC regulars Josh Redhead and Ray Winwood-Smith have endured a mixed campaign in 2026 with two victories and two retirements, but they will need to be at their best if they are to chase down current leaders Toby Price and Ben Searcy – a task made even harder due to the return of Clayton Hoy and his new co-driver, Brad Jones.

Hoy will be making his first national-level appearance since last year’s Adelaide Hills Rally, where he won a stage outright, finished fourth overall and claimed WOLF Sports Cup honours.

The battle between the two Mitsubishis will be one to watch during the 22-stage rally.

View the full entry list here.

KEY DETAILS

Being the final Sprint event of the year means crews will be battling for points across two separate Heats, with 50 points up for grabs for each Heat win and two sets of additional Power Stage bonus points.

Crews will tackle 22 special stages and approximately 170 competitive kilometres across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the event’s major new feature coming on Friday night – the introduction of the Autobarn MMM Super Special Stage.

Taking place at the Southern District Car Club and Mid Murray Motorplex, crews will go head-to-head in a Race-of-Champions-style side-by-side format under lights in what will be a fascinating affair.

Made up of short and long forms of a roughly 3.5-kilometre circuit, the Super Special will run twice on Friday night and see the ARC field compete in a different environment from its traditional forest stages – the first of which will be broadcast on Kayo Sports and the regular streaming services from 5:30pm ACST.

The Autobarn MMM Super Special Stage kicks off the event in style, with the first two stages forming part of Heat 1, which will include a further 78 competitive kilometres on Saturday over 10 stages. Sunday’s Heat 2 will be made up of a further 86 competitive kilometres, spread over 10 stages.

Before the action officially gets underway on Friday night, the MSS Safety Rally Show and Street Party will take place on Thursday night on Gawler Street in Mount Barker.

The Rally Show will give fans the opportunity to get close to the cars and crews before competition begins, with the traditional Friday Rally Show moving to Thursday this year following the introduction of the Super Special Stage.

Galvanize Insurance Rally Central at Summit Sport and Recreation Park will serve as the central hub throughout the weekend, with fans able to see crews and their cars between stages.

STAYING IN THE LOOP

Fans will be able to follow the Adelaide Hills Rally across the EROAD Australian Rally Championship and Speedcafe digital platforms, as well as Kayo Sports throughout the weekend.

Friday night’s Autobarn MMM Super Special Stage will form the first major live broadcast opportunity of the event, with the action also available across the ARC, Speedcafe and Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia live streams.

Saturday’s live coverage begins with Bugle Rangers 1 (SS5) from 8:50am ACST, before Kuitpo 1 (SS10) from 1:40pm ACST.

The afternoon action continues with Kuitpo 2 (SS14) from 4:30pm ACST, which will also feature on Kayo Sports.

Sunday’s live coverage begins with Callington Back 1 (SS20) from 2:00pm ACDT, with the stage also featuring on Kayo Sports.

Fans can also stay up to date with live timing and results throughout the weekend via the Subaru Results Hub, while the ARC and rally social media channels will provide interviews, highlights and updates from the Adelaide Hills.

Watch via the ARC YouTube Page

SPECTATORS

The Adelaide Hills Rally will offer fans several opportunities to experience the action from dedicated spectator locations across the weekend.

Friday night’s Autobarn MMM Super Special Stage will provide the most unique viewing experience of the event, with fans able to watch the ARC crews compete side-by-side at the Mid Murray Motorplex.

Tickets for the Super Special are priced at $22.49, while access to the dedicated spectator stages across the weekend is free.

Saturday will feature two spectator points, with Signal Flat providing fans with an opportunity to watch the cars in the morning before the action moves to Kuitpo in the afternoon.

The Kuitpo stages will also feature prominently in Saturday’s live coverage, with Kuitpo 1 (SS10) and Kuitpo 2 (SS14) providing two opportunities to see the ARC field in action.
Sunday’s spectator action will move to Charligate West before crews head to Red Creek for the afternoon stages.

In total, eight stages across four viewing points will be available to spectators throughout the weekend.

Fans are also encouraged to make their way to the MSS Safety Rally Show and Street Party on Thursday evening, while Galvaniize Insurance Rally Central at Summit Sport and Recreation Park will provide further opportunities to see the crews and cars throughout the event.

The Adelaide Hills Rally will conclude on Sunday afternoon, with the championship battle then heading into its final round of the season in Gippsland with everything still to play for.

Read the full Spectator Guide here.