Rally racing will once again take center stage on the island of Lubang in Occidental Mindoro as it hosts the opening round of the 2026 Philippine National Rally Championship (PNRC) from March 27 to 28. Organized by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), the event marks the return of top rally teams to Lubang, following the event’s successful debut on the island last year.
The two-day motorsport event will use the challenging road networks of Lubang and nearby Looc, turning the normally quiet island communities into the focal point of local rally competition. Proven to be a true test of man and machine, drivers and co-drivers with their race-ready vehicles will tackle a demanding set of special stages that showcase the rugged character of the island’s terrain.
The 2026 Rally of Lubang will feature 12 special stages covering more than 90 km. The route combines daytime and nighttime sections that pass through coastal roads, mountainous terrain, and rural routes, creating a diverse course that will surely challenge both driver skill and vehicle durability.
Adding to the difficulty, the rally will run as a blind event. Teams will not be allowed to make reconnaissance runs or stage assessments before the actual competition. Instead, competitors must rely only on the official road book provided by the organizers to navigate the course. The format emphasizes driver and co-driver teamwork, understanding pace notes, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing road conditions.
Of note, more than 20 rally teams have already registered for the Lubang opening round. Competitors will run across several vehicle classes ranging from production cars to more extensively modified rally machines designed for competitive performance.
The rally is being staged with the support of local government units (LGUs), including the Municipal Government of Lubang, led by Mayor Michael Orayani, and the Municipality of Looc, headed by Mayor Marlon dela Torre. Their cooperation was seen by the organizers as instrumental in bringing the spirit of rally racing back to the island of Lubang for the second time around.
Finally, AAP officials overseeing the event include Motor Sport Committee Chairman Mandy Eduque and AAP Chief Executive Officer Mark Desales, who will supervise the rally’s organized and safe operation.
Autocar’s Take
Bringing the Philippine National Rally Championship back to the island of Lubang is a smart move for the sport. Unlike circuit racing, where drivers run around a closed, purpose-built track, rally racing thrives in open environments where terrain and unpredictability play major roles, and Lubang’s mix of coastal, mountainous, and rural roads offers exactly those.
The blind rally format also adds an extra layer of excitement. In many rally racing events, participants make pre-race stage runs to memorize the course, spot potential hazards, and mark crucial areas where more precise braking, acceleration, gear shift, and cornering inputs are needed. Without pre-race runs, drivers and co-drivers will have to rely on skill and teamwork, as the course-familiarity aspect is removed.
Beyond the competition itself, events like this help bring attention and uplift tourism in smaller communities outside major cities.
