The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally will have a different feel in 2026, with the new EROAD Australian Rally Championship (ARC) season-finale undergoing some major changes.
Having already adopted changes in 2025 by bringing back night stages to the ARC, event organisers have now brought in completely new stages for the opening day of competition and relocated Galvaniize Insurance Rally Central.
For 2026, the opening day has had a complete shake-up to last year, with a new four stage loop making up the itinerary, along with two new spectator points as a result.
The adoption of new stages comes off the back of challenges last year with the region’s State Forests, forcing the event to have a number of repeat stages due to the lack of availability of several popular roads.
The other major change is the relocation of Rally Central and the Event HQ, which moves from its home of Gordon Street Recreation Reserve in Heyfield, where it spent the last four years, to West Sale Airport.
While the airport is a less traditional location for an ARC Service Park, the move will allow the event to expand overall due to Sale being one of the biggest towns in the Gippsland region, while also centralising the event and keeping all major activities within close proximity of each other.
Event Clerk of Course Andrew Roseman was excited to announce the new changes for The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally.
“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 215km of competition over the two days,” Roseman said.
“We have a fantastic relationship with the local Forestry team. We worked late last year on alternative areas that would be suitable, after there was uncertainly that reconstruction works from the 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.
“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. We see this as a growth opportunity and believe it elevates the event to provide more for competitors, sponsors and spectators.
“Finally, 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 Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally for 2026.”
ARC Events Director Jill Coppin lauded Roseman for the new changes to the event.
“It’s fantastic to see Andrew and the Gippsland Rally events team getting proactive this year and looking at ways to improve the overall experience for competitors, spectators and sponsors,” 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 ARC kicks off the 2026 season with Rally Queensland on 17-19 April, while The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally sees off the year in style on 20-22 November.
Story written by Rally.com.au