SEVENTY crews will contest the 2026 Lance East Exotics Tarmac West, the biggest field since 2014 for Western Australia’s premier tarmac rally, held in Perth and hills districts from September 17 to 20.

The stages will be held in Whiteman Park, Ellenbrook, Parkerville, Kalamunda, Toodyay, Maryville Downs, Bullsbrook, Malaga and in the heart of Perth’s CBD.

Sixteen of the 70 crews are rookies competing at Lance East Exotics Tarmac West for the first time, making up 23 per cent of the field, a strong sign of new blood coming into the sport.

The entry list spans six decades of motoring, from a 1964 Ford Anglia to a 2024 BMW M4, with classic Datsun 240Zs and Ford Escorts lining up alongside modern Porsches, from a 1988 944 Turbo S to a 2023 992 RGT, and two Teslas.

“Getting 70 crews on the start line is a big deal, but what is most encouraging is that nearly a quarter of the field is competing in their first Tarmac West, and that tells us the sport is growing,” Tarmac Events WA director Ross Tapper said.

“Rallying can look intimidating from the outside, but categories like TSD and the Rookie Rallye give newcomers a genuine way into the sport.”

From spinning balls to spinning wheels, one rookie competing in the Time Speed Distance (TSD) category is ex-Australian cricketer Brad Hogg, with co-driver Lachlan White.

Introduced in 2024, Tarmac West’s TSD category is for those who like spirited driving. Designed for standard road cars, the category requires only a helmet and an Australian Auto-Sport Alliance General Speed Licence to qualify for entry.

TSD competitors need to complete each stage as close as possible to the time allowed and are penalised for an early finish more so than finishing late.

Mr Hogg said he is grateful for the opportunity and thanked GMW Racing for supporting him by providing a 2016 BMW M140i.

Family runs deep on the entry list, with 15 crews, 20 per cent of the field, sharing a surname, including father-and-son, brothers, cousins and husband-and-wife pairings. The Hawily and Moltoni families are each fielding two cars.

There are six categories in Lance East Exotics Tarmac West: the main T200, the T185 Modified Classics, which is new this year, T165 where drivers are restricted to 165km/h, T130 with a 130km/h speed restriction, TSD, and the 2Day Rallye for those who only want to compete on Saturday and Sunday.

Defending outright champion Bryce Moore is absent from the Tarmac West entry list, but his winning car, a 2022 Toyota Supra A90, is not.

The car that finished fastest last year will be driven by 22-year-old rookie Anthony Jewell with experienced co-driver Rachael Ferrante, their entry supported by Ayani Car Collective and GMW Racing.

Mr Jewell, who is making a name for himself in circuit racing, has never done a tarmac rally, but has a feel for the car having competed in short-format rally sprints. He will be in the T165 category and looking for a class win.

In the same GMW Racing team but in the top T200 category, Mark Cirillo is driving his 2024 BMW M4 with Daymon Nicoli calling pace notes.

In March, Cirillo and Nicoli finished equal first at Lance East Exotics Tarmac South West in Pemberton and the duo are hoping to repeat their winning result in WA’s premier tarmac rally.

Rally drivers will race the clock along about 215km of closed roads over four days. Forrest Place hosts a ceremonial start and the rally action includes spectator favourites in Ellenbrook (Thursday evening, September 17), Malaga (Sunday morning, September 20) and in the City of Perth (Sunday afternoon, September 20), as well as tight technical stages that require deft driving, and long flowing stages where drivers can really find their rhythm.

The rally weekend culminates with the Celebration of Motorsport at Langley Park on Sunday, September 20, which drew a record 45,000 spectators last year, who marvelled at 600 vehicles on display alongside the rally’s final sprint-style stages in the City of Perth.

To be kept up to date with Tarmac West events, visit their website.