The 2026 Philippine National Rally Championship will kick off on March 27 to 28 with its opening round returning to the island of Lubang in Occidental Mindoro, following the successful staging of the event there last year.
Organized by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), the rally will once again use the scenic but demanding roads of Lubang and neighboring Looc, transforming the quiet island into the center of Philippine rally racing for two days.
The event is being held with the support of the Municipal Government of Lubang, led by Mayor Michael Orayani, and the Municipality of Looc, headed by Mayor Marlon dela Torre, whose cooperation helped make the rally’s return possible.
Leading the AAP officials overseeing the event are Motor Sport Committee Chairman Mandy Eduque and AAP Chief Executive Officer Mark Desales, who will supervise the conduct of the rally and its safety operations.
This year’s rally will feature 12 special stages covering more than 90 kilometers, combining daytime and nighttime runs across a mix of coastal roads, mountain sections, and rural routes that have become a favorite among competitors.
Adding to the challenge, the event will be run as a blind rally, meaning teams will not be allowed to conduct reconnaissance of the stages beforehand. Instead, drivers and co-drivers must rely entirely on the official road book prepared by the organizers to navigate the course. The format places a premium on precise pace notes, teamwork inside the cockpit, and quick adaptation to changing road conditions.
More than 20 rally teams have already registered for the opening round, competing across multiple car classes that range from production-based vehicles to more heavily modified rally machines.
The return to Lubang follows a highly successful rally in 2025, which marked the island’s debut as a host venue for the national rally championship. The combination of challenging roads, enthusiastic local support, and scenic surroundings quickly made the event one of the highlights of the season.
Last year’s rally saw strong competition across several categories, with crews battling both the demanding stages and unpredictable weather conditions that added another layer of difficulty to the event.
With the rally returning for a second year, organizers expect the Lubang round to once again showcase the excitement of Philippine rally racing while also drawing attention to the island’s growing role as a motorsports destination.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to watch the action as rally cars tackle the island’s roads during the two-day competition.
For motorsports fans, it will be a rare chance to witness a full national rally event set against the backdrop of one of Mindoro’s most picturesque island landscapes.
For more information, please contact: Olson Camacho (0917) 3324736
