The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally will take on a fresh look in 2026, with organisers confirming significant changes to the season-ending round of the EROAD Australian Rally Championship (ARC).
The popular event, which returns as the championship finale in November, will feature a completely new opening-day course, a relocated Rally Central and additional spectator opportunities as part
of a major refresh.
Event organisers have introduced four new stages for day one, forming a new loop and creating two new spectator points for fans.
The changes follow challenges in 2025, when limited access to parts of the region’s State Forests forced the use of repeat stages due to road availability.
Clerk of Course Andrew Roseman said the new format would provide a renewed feel for competitors and spectators alike.
“We are pleased to confirm that we will
have a completely new course for the opening day of competition, with four new stages and two new spectator points, while day two’s similar schedule will give crews
up to 215 kilometres of competition over the two days,” Mr Roseman said.
“We have a fantastic relationship with the local forestry team and worked late last year on alternative areas that would be suitable after there was uncertainty that reconstruction works from floods and fires would be completed in time for our event. We didn’t want to have the magnitude of repeated stages ever again.
“Moving to the final round has given us
the opportunity to create a reinvigorated, fresh new look for 2026, while maintaining our event as a challenging endurance
round through Gippsland’s technical
forestry roads that are so unique to Victoria and the championship.”
Another major change for 2026 is the relocation of Rally Central and Event HQ from Gordon Street Recreation Reserve in Heyfield, where it had been based for the past four years, to West Sale Airport.
While an airport service park is less traditional for ARC events, organisers
say the move will allow the rally to
expand and better centralise activities.
Sale’s size and infrastructure are expected
to provide improved access and facilities
for teams and spectators.
“As for the new Rally Central, we are excited because the airport will allow every competitor abundant hard-stand servicing while giving our fans new opportunities to interact with the event,” Mr Roseman said.
“We see this as a growth opportunity and believe it elevates the event to provide more for competitors, sponsors and spectators. We are incredibly grateful for the support of Wellington Shire Council, who have renewed their commitment as title sponsor and provided West Sale Airport to be the home of the rally for 2026.”
More than 7000 people attended the 2025 event weekend, highlighting the rally’s growing appeal across the region.
ARC Events Director Jill Coppin welcomed the changes, praising organisers for taking a proactive approach.
“It’s fantastic to see Andrew and the Gippsland Rally events team looking at ways to improve the overall experience for competitors, spectators and sponsors,”
Ms Coppin said.
“I am confident that the introduction of
new stages and a change in the Rally
Central location will have a positive effect
on the event and give it a nice refresh, especially as it holds the prestige of being
the season finale.
“We look forward to heading there in November, seeing the new stages in action and wrapping up the 2026 EROAD Australian Rally Championship in style.”
The 2026 ARC season begins with Rally Queensland from April 17–19, before concluding with The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally from November 20–22.
