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RSAC Scottish Rally 2026 Confirmed: New Stages, Star Entries, and Competitor Updates!

The organising team for the 2026 RSAC Scottish Rally has officially confirmed that the green light is on! The countdown to the action is officially underway, and anticipation is building for what promises to be a spectacular day of motorsport.

Here is everything you need to know about this year’s event.

The Route: 6 Classic Stages (Visited Twice)

Get ready for an incredible day in the forests. Competitors will tackle a thrilling loop of stages, with each stage being visited twice during the event:

• 🆕 Barney Water (Brand New for 2026): A fresh, unseen challenge that is bound to test every crew’s pace notes and bravery right out of the gate.
• 🌲 Glengap & Dalbeattie: The return of two absolute spectator favourites. These iconic locations are renowned for their classic forest terrain and incredible vantage points for fans.
• Scrutineering and Service held at Jas P Wilson in Dalbeattie

A Heavyweight Battle at the Front

While entries are still open, eyes are already on a massive showdown at the very head of the field. The battle for victory features some incredible storylines:

• Garry Pearson: The Duns-based driver has been in dominant form, already winning three rounds of the 2026 Scottish series in his Ford Fiesta Rally 2.
• Max McRae: Looking to steal the spotlight, McRae brings his rapid Skoda Fabia Rally 2 to the fight.
• Mark McCulloch: You can never count out the local hero! The current Scottish Rally Championship leader will be looking to use his extensive local knowledge to give him the edge over the field.

The Field is Packing Out

Over 53 crews from all across Scotland have already thrown their hats in the ring, with plenty more indicating they are on their way to the start line.

The sheer quality of the entry list reflects the event’s prestige, proudly hosting rounds for three major championships:

• Asset Alliance Group Motorsport UK Scottish Rally Championship
• HRCR Motoscope Northern Historic Rally Championship
• UK Armed Forces Rally Championship

📢 Competitor Update: Class Amalgamations

The organisers pride themselves on listening to the paddock. Following direct feedback from crews, the organisers have agreed that Classes 1, 2, and 4 will no longer be amalgamated.

Notice to Competitors: Keep your eyes peeled for an official Bulletin confirming the exact details of this change, which will be issued in due course.

Entries Are Still Open!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action, whether you’re fighting for seconds behind the wheel or catching the action from the spectator areas.

Crews Gather for RSAC Scottish Rally

Rally crews from all over the British Isles – and as far away as Australia – will be heading to Dalbeattie in a few weeks’ time for the 80th RSAC Scottish Rally, which takes place on Saturday 18 July.  The rally was first run in 1932 and has run almost every year since, with breaks for the Second World War, a fuel shortage and, more recently, Covid in 2020.

Since 1997 the rally has been supported by Dumfries and Galloway Council.  The rally base has moved from Dumfries to Lockerbie and, since 2023, to Dalbeattie, where the premises of Jas P Wilson Forest Machines play host to the start, finish, service area and Rally HQ. 

Scrutineering of the cars for safety will take place during the afternoon of Friday 17 July, and the first car will start the rally at 09:00 on Saturday 18 July.  Ahead of the crews will be 44 miles of high-speed special stages on Forestry & Land Scotland loose-surfaced roads.  There will be stages in Barney Water, Glengap and Dalbeattie forests, with spectator areas in Glengap and Dalbeattie.  The finish ceremony will take place back in Dalbeattie at 17:00.

Spectators are welcome to visit the stages at no charge, but the organisers RSAC Motorsport do ask everyone to ensure their own safety and that of others by paying attention to the directions of the marshals.  Every stage has a paramedic, rescue unit and recovery unit located at the start, and it is our hope that they will have nothing to do all day.  Volunteer marshals are always welcome, and full training will be given to those who might enjoy becoming part of the event.

The RSAC Scottish Rally is a round of the Asset Alliance Group Motorsport UK Scottish Rally Championship, the HRCR Motoscope Northern Historic Rally Championship,  and the UK Armed Forces Rally Championship.  Competitors from all these series will be competing for points which could mean prizes at the end of the season.

Although entries are still open, it is clear that there will be a battle at the head of the field between Garry Pearson, the Duns-based driver of a Ford Fiesta Rally 2 who has already won three rounds of the 2026 Scottish series, and Max McRae in a Skoda Fabia Rally 2.  Max is based in Australia but is the third generation of Lanark’s McRae rallying dynasty to compete in the Scottish Rally.  So far, the family has five victories, thanks to Max’s grandfather Jim (one win), his father Alister (two wins) and his uncle the late Colin (two wins).

Convener of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Councillor Tracey Little, welcomed the competitors, officials and spectators who will be coming to the region for the event:  “We wish everyone taking part or attending this year’s rally an enjoyable and memorable experience, and we look forward to another exciting edition of the Scottish Rally in Dumfries and Galloway”.

RSAC Scottish Rally Visits Dalbeattie Primary School

The RSAC Scottish Rally has made Dalbeattie its home over the last couple of years, and the relationship between the event and the local community continues to grow.

On 18th July, event supporters and local business Jas P Wilson will open their doors as the official base for this year’s rally. Creating a fitting partnership that reflects the strong ties the event has built in the town.

The community connection was on full display on Wednesday 24th June, when members of the organising team visited Dalbeattie Primary School to give pupils a taste of what the rally brings to their doorstep. Event Clerk of the Course, Jonathan Lord gave the children an insight into how a rally comes together, while Environmental Scrutineer Peter Clingan shared the safety knowledge that keeps motorsport running responsibly.

Local competitors Niall Cowan Jr and Mark McCulloch also attended, bringing their rally cars for the children to see up close. Niall arrived with his MG3, while Mark brought his Proton fresh from a third-place podium finish at the Argyll Rally.

The day finished off with the announcement of the children’s helmet colouring competition. With the winners receiving prizes to mark the occasion.