The capital of Rio Grande do Norte will welcome the opening of the rally’s 28th edition, which covers more than 1,000 kilometres across three states in Brazil’s Northeast
Natal is set to once again become the starting point of the Rally RN 1500. After more than ten years, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte returns as the launch city for one of Brazil’s most traditional rally raid events, marking the beginning of the competition’s 28th edition, scheduled to take place from April 13 to 18.
The official programme begins on April 11, with the set-up of the service park at Arena das Dunas, which will host teams, competitors and the full event structure until April 14. On April 13, the venue will also be open to the public, giving fans the chance to step behind the scenes of the rally, get up close to the vehicles and experience the atmosphere of the competition firsthand.
That same day will also feature the prologue — the opening stage that determines the starting order for the rally itself. In this short timed section, competitors face an important early test that can prove decisive in shaping their strategy for the days ahead.
In total, the rally brings together around 200 competitors, including riders, drivers and navigators, across the motorcycle, UTV and car categories. With the full caravan on the move — including support crews, mechanics, team managers, technical staff and media — the event is expected to mobilise roughly 1,000 people along the route.
In 2026, Rally RN 1500 will cover more than 1,000 kilometres of timed specials, crossing the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba and Pernambuco on a route that blends dunes, sand, trails and sections of high technical and navigational demand.
The rally gets underway in Natal, with the first special stage heading along the North Coast to Galinhos. From there, the event moves into the Seridó region of Rio Grande do Norte, with an overnight stop in Acari, before continuing into Paraíba through Monteiro and finishing in Caruaru, Pernambuco.
For Mayor Paulinho Freire, the partnership is part of the city’s broader strategy to strengthen event tourism and boost the visibility of Natal as a destination.
“Consolidating this partnership is essential to placing Natal on the map of major sporting events, generating jobs, stimulating the local economy and attracting visitors from across the country,” he said.
Natal’s Secretary of Tourism, Sanclair Solon, also highlighted the event’s importance for the destination:
“Rally RN 1500 is far more than a sporting competition of national and international relevance; it is also a powerful vehicle for promoting our city as a tourist destination. By bringing together competitors, technical teams, specialised media and visitors from different parts of Brazil and around the world, the event showcases our natural beauty, our infrastructure and our ability to welcome people well.”
Natal’s Secretary of Tourism, Sanclair Solon; Deputy Mayor Joanna Guerra; Rally RN 1500 General Director Kleber Tinoco; and Mayor Paulinho Freire during the meeting that officially confirmed the partnership to host the start of the rally’s 28th edition in the capital of Rio Grande do Norte. Photo: Demis Roussos
According to Kleber Tinoco, returning to Natal carries special meaning.
“It is a huge pleasure to be back in Natal. This is my home, my history is here, my family is here, and seeing the rally start once again from the city after so long is deeply symbolic. We are very happy about this return and extremely grateful to Natal City Hall for the partnership and support that made it possible,” he said.
With its travelling format, Rally RN 1500 connects different regions and realities along the way, bringing not only top-level competition but also a significant economic and tourism boost to every place it reaches.
With nearly three decades of history, the event has established itself as one of the most technical and demanding fixtures on the Brazilian rally raid calendar, attracting competitors from across Brazil and Latin America.
Official Press Release
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