Hi Service Group Blackbutt Rally

Welcome to the 2026 Queensland Rally Championship Season, and once again Blackbutt is hosting the first event of the season. The 2025 event we successfully tried running the event as a Rallysprint, based out of our fabulous new home at Blackbutt Showgrounds. At the end of a day of cracking competition with the lead changing hands several time, we ended up with a dead heat. That could ultimately only be separated for the purposes of the trophies by a count back on several levels. A fantastic day of competition.

For 2026 we are stepping things up a level while keeping the best ingredients. Once again, we have been welcomed warmly by the Blackbutt community and event HQ will be the Showgrounds. Many of the same roads are being used but pleasingly our friends at HQP have been busy with the spray on the Lantana and they are better than ever. So, on the basis that you can’t get too much of a good thing, for 2026 we will be running over two Heats to give just over 100km of competitive distance. It will be an event with something for everyone.

Heat 1 will be pace-noted with 2 hours allocated for Recce before the start. Crews are permitted to use their rally cars for Recce. That will lead to three passes over two stages with generous rest periods and regroup at Blackbutt between passes to allow competitors to cool down, refresh and rewrite notes. Once that is completed crews will return to Blackbutt again for service, while we turn the stages around, and join them into one long stage just over 20km. Heat 2 will commence at nightfall with 2 passes over the stage.

For 2026 we will once again be running the Regularity section. It was a popular addition to events in 2025, and we hope to continue to grow the concept. But for 2026 it will now be a Championship conducted within the QRC

Finally, I must thank those that help us make this event happen. The Blackbutt show society of course, but also Ryan Smart Contracting for his support to help us cover some expenses for our officials. This year we also welcome Hi Service Group, providers of electrical and plumbing services, especially in the area of remote off grid solutions. While you are there drop into our Rally hub near the food hall, and check out their expertise in their live display of solar/battery integrated solutions. And of course Future Auto Wynnum and Brocky who are helping out with a Southside Scrutineering venue to make a change.

I recommend the event to you all and trust we will have another day of flat out motorsport.

Peter Flynn
Clerk of the Course