The fields are taking shape ahead of the Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally, the first Endurance round of the year, with 21 rally crews entered for the fourth round of the EROAD Australian Rally Championship (ARC) which will travel in and around the forests of Heyfield on 24-26 August.

Reigning champions Harry Bates and Coral Taylor in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Yaris are alongside current championship leaders and Hyundai stars Hayden Paddon and John Kennard, while fellow title contenders Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin round out the top three seeded crews entering the event.

With the second half of the season kicking off in regional Victoria, The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally is likely to play a pivotal role in the overall title fight.

Clerk of Course Andrew Roseman expressed organisers are super excited to be able to welcome the EROAD Australian Rally Championship back to Victoria.

“The ARC has had an awesome year so far and although there are few notable names missing from the entry list, there are some really strong crews entered in this event,” Roseman said.

“Having a strong field in the WOLF Production Cup is massive and it’s certainly going to make for entertaining viewing – especially when it comes to some of the night stages on Saturday evening.”

Crews likely to have a say in that battle between the top three seeded crews include the likes of Alex Rullo and Steve Glenney in the sole IntelliSpatial Fleetcare Racing Hyundai i20N Rally 2 for the round, and Ezi Up Tyre Repair Kit’s Troy Dowel and Bernie Webb in the Toyota GR Yaris AP4.

WOLF Production Cup leaders Clayton Hoy and Erin Kelly in the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6 and fellow class title rivals Bodie Reading and Brad Jones in the Les Walkden Rallying Subaru Impreza headline the popular class.

Joining title contenders in the WOLF Production class are 2025 regulars cross-entered in other Cups, such as ARC Junior Cup leader Jackson Long and co-driver Damien Long, 2WD Cup leaders Tony Sullens and Kaylie Newell, and 4WD Cup leaders Shane and Sylvie Garner.

The Cup also has a host of crews making their first appearances for the year, including Kevin Millard and Patrick Hughes of Portland Conveyor Services and DT Electrical’s Danny Traverso and Anthony Carr – both of whom are behind the wheel of Mitsubishis.

Following their runner-up finish at Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland, Tony Oates and Anthony Staltari lead the charge for the 2WD Classic Cup, while Molly Spalding and Matt Dillon will be looking to recreate their 4WD Classic Cup podium last month.