Rally Estonia Returns with 53 Crews for WRC Action in South Estonia
Rally Estonia, round nine of the 2026 World Rally Championship, begins Thursday in South Estonia with 53 crews from 23 countries competing over 18 special stages covering 301.8 kilometers.
The 2026 Rally Estonia takes place from Thursday to Sunday on roads around Tartu, Otepää, Elva, and other locations in South Estonia. This year's event marks the ninth round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) season, featuring 53 crews representing 23 nations. Competitors will tackle 18 special stages with a total competitive distance of 301.8 kilometers.
Before the main rally action begins Friday afternoon, events are held in Tartu, including at the Estonian National Museum (ERM). On Friday evening, a free Red Bull Drift Show in Elva will feature Oliver Randalu and Michael Reiljan driving 2,000-horsepower BMW drift cars. The duo will perform two runs on the 1.7-kilometer city stage and a tandem drift in front of Elva railway station. They will also rate the rally drivers' drifting skills, with the highest-rated driver winning a Panasonic television.
Prior to the first special stage at 7:35 p.m. Friday, five historic rally cars—including the legendary LADA VFTS and Ford Escort WRC—will also run the stage.
The full schedule includes Thursday's opening ceremony at Tartu Town Hall Square with a concert by NOËP, followed by a Rally1 demonstration run. Friday features early morning shakedown, then special stages throughout the day. Saturday and Sunday host the bulk of the competition, ending with the ceremonial finish and awards on Sunday afternoon at Kääriku Sports Center.
Weather forecasts indicate mostly sunny conditions with possible occasional showers.
Eight Estonian crews are competing, including Robert Vires (Škoda), Romet Jürgenson (Ford), and Egon Kaur (Toyota).
In the championship standings, Elfyn Evans (Wales) leads the drivers' table with 162 points, 11 ahead of teammate Takamoto Katsuta (Japan). Toyota drivers occupy the top five spots, with the first Hyundai driver, defending champion Thierry Neuville (Belgium), in sixth place.
