Adelaide Hills Rally 2026 entry list confirmed

The EROAD Australian Rally Championship (ARC) title fight will reach boiling point next month with the entry list confirmed for the upcoming Adelaide Hills Rally.

The strong field making the journey to the picturesque shire roads in and around Adelaide will be headlined by the three-way championship battle involving three former champions of the sport.

Headlining the entry list will be the new ARC leaders Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally 2 as they look to extend their overall championship lead at an event that has historically been good to them.

Their biggest challenge will come through the Pedders Rally Team protected by by Famous Insurance Skoda Fabia Rally2 of Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall, as well as their Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia teammates Harry Bates and Coral Taylor.

Just 12 points separates the leading Toyota and the Skoda Fabia of Pedder and Macneall, while Harry and Taylor sit a further 58 points behind – making Adelaide a crucial round for the 2024 champions.

Another notable entry for the penultimate round of the 2026 season is the return of proven WOLF Sports Cup event winner Clayton Hoy and co-driver Brad Jones.

The proven Cup winner has not contested a round at national level since the corresponding round last year – an event that saw him finish fourth outright and claim top honours in the production-inspired WOLF SPORTS Cup.

Once again behind the wheel of his popular Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6, his return sets up a mouth-watering clash with the current WOLF Sports Cup leader in Josh Redhead, who along with Ray Winwood-Smith has had a mixed run behind the wheel with two victories and two retirements.

The pressure will certainly be on the New South Welshman, with a result no lower than second place acceptable if he plans to catch current leaders Toby Price and Ben Searcy.

Other notable entries outside the regular field include current SA Rally Championship leader Bradley Clements, who makes his first national appearance since 2023 alongside co-driver Naomi Povey in a 1994 Subaru WRX, and Glenn Campbell, who is also making his long-awaited return to the ARC having not run in the championship since 2024.

ARC crews will tackle 170 competitive kilometres over 22 stages spread across three days, with Friday night’s autobarn MMM Super Special Stage the major highlight for the rally.

Adelaide Hills Rally Clerk of Course Michael Clements was excited to welcome the national championship.

“As we have seen all year, the ARC title fight looks to be going right down to the wire and our event in Adelaide is likely to play a major role in this entertaining battle,” Clements said.

“It’s very exciting knowing the title contenders will be putting on a show for the South Australian rally fans and there is plenty of positive vibes in the area ahead of the event.”

“I am also very much looking forward to seeing Clayton Hoy back at the top level and feel proud that he has chosen Adelaide to make his highly anticipated return.”

“I look forward to welcoming the best ARC crews in the country for the 2026 Adelaide Hills Rally and can’t wait to see the show they put on.”

View the full entry list here.

The 2026 Adelaide Hills Rally serves as the fifth round of the 2026 EROAD Australian Rally Championship and takes place in and around the shire rounds of Mount Barker on 1 – 4 October.