Round two of the 2026 EROAD Australian Rally Championship (ARC) heads to Western Australia from 22-24 May.
The ARC Plant Hire Forest Rally will take place in and around Busselton and Nannup, as the battle for Australian rally honours continues after the season opener in Queensland last month.
A strong entry list sees more than 30 crews set to start this weekend, with 13 top-spec cars featuring Toyota, Skoda, Hyundai and Ford.
Harry Bates and Coral Taylor will lead the charge once again for team Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia, fresh off victory at the Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland and following Bates’ recent Rally Portugal debut in the FIA World Rally Championship. The pair will again be joined by Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin in the team’s second Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.
Pedders Rally Team Protected by Famous Insurance returns with its two Skoda Fabia Rally2 entries for Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall, and Jackson Long and Damien Long. Swedish internationals Tom Kristensson and Andreas Johansson make their ARC return for the first time since 2025 aboard a Skoda Fabia R5, as they look to back up their podium finish from last year.
Western Australian stars Alex Rullo and Peter Rullo also return to ARC competition for the first time this season in their IntelliSpatial Fleetcare Hyundai i20 N Rally2 cars, while ARC Plant Hire’s Eamonn McNabb and Shane Farrell will fly the flag for Ford in their Fiesta Rally2.
This year’s WOLF Sport Cup field boasts local young gun Thomas Loughton leading a strong contingent of West Australian crews chasing places, including Keith Hamilton and Frank O’Shea.
Toby Price and Ben Searcy headline the Subaru WRX Challenge, as the former returns to the event where he won his class on debut.
The second round of the 2026 ARC season, the ARC Plant Hire Forest Rally will officially begin on Friday night with the Rally Show and the Ceremonial Start before competition hits across Saturday and Sunday.
ARC crews will cover approximately 495 kilometres across the weekend, including nearly 190 competitive kilometres over 12 special stages.
Saturday’s itinerary features six stages of 100km of competitive action, while Sunday’s remaining six stages will make up approximately 90km.
Galvaniize Insurance Rally Central will once again serve as the central hub of the rally, with fans able to see crews and teams working on the cars throughout the weekend at the Nannup Recreation and Community Centre.
Saturday’s action begins with the first loop at 8:45am AWST, before crews return for afternoon runs through the same stages from 1:15pm AWST onwards. Sunday begins from 9:05am AWST, with the rally to conclude following the podium ceremony at 3:15pm AWST in Nannup.
How to Watch
Friday’s Shakedown will be streamed live from 11:55am AWST, while Saturday’s Ellis South 1 stage (SS2) and Sunday’s Lewana 1 stage (SS8) also broadcast live.
FOX SPORTS and Kayo Sports coverage will feature Ferndale 2 (SS6) on Saturday afternoon and Lewana 2 (SS10) on Sunday afternoon.
Fans can also stay up to date with live results via the Subaru Results Hub, while rally.com.au and the ARC’s social media channels will provide interviews, highlights and updates across the weekend.
On the Ground
The ARC Plant Hire Forest Rally remains one of the best spectator events on the ARC calendar.
Saturday’s spectator opportunities include viewing points at Uranium Road, Spur Road and Ewarts Road, while Sunday’s action can be viewed from Dorant Road/Cundinup-Kirup Road, Radiata Road and Gorge Road.
Fans will also be able to enjoy the Friday night Rally Show and visit the Galvaniize Insurance Rally Central throughout the weekend, with the Nannup Service Park offering plenty of opportunities to get close to the cars and crews.
