Just over a month after the Sertões Series Paraná challenge, the adrenaline returns to take over the rally world with the 2026 edition of the Sertões Petrobras. Between August 22nd and 30th, competitors will cover more than 4,000 kilometres in the 34th edition of the biggest rally in the Americas — with Mitsubishi Motors continuing its presence as the competition's longest-standing sponsor.
The route is always highly challenging for drivers and navigators, and this year the start and finish will take place in Goiânia (GO) on a "loop" course. The event will cover a total of 4,020 kilometres, of which 2,611 are timed special stages (1,493 kilometres for the Production category), across 8 stages that will also pass through Cavalcante (GO), Luís Eduardo Magalhães (BA), Mateiros (TO), Porto Nacional (TO), Minaçu (GO), Niquelândia (GO) and Goianésia (GO).
As well as being the competition's sponsor, Mitsubishi Motors makes up the majority of the grid. Nineteen of the 40 cars — across the Cars and Production categories — belong to the three-diamond brand. Mitsubishi also returns to the Sertões Petrobras with its own team, as Mitsubishi Spinelli Racing will now compete in three categories:
T1+ FIA: Triton Ultimate Racing (Driver Guiga Spinelli and navigator Paulo Fiuza) Stock: Katana R (Driver Youssef Haddad and navigator Vinicius Marcon) Classic: L200 Evolution (Driver Rodrigo Khezam and navigator Marcelo Vivolo)
Beyond the majority of the grid and its own team, Mitsubishi Motors also maintains its dominant presence as the competition's main support vehicle supplier. In total, 75 Mitsubishi vehicles will be made available to the organisation for a wide range of purposes.
One Eclipse Cross, three Triton Savana, 17 Triton Katana, 34 Triton HPE-S and 20 L200 Triton Sport will handle the rally's "heavy lifting." The vehicles will be used as trail sweepers (the last car to pass through the special stage route), for closing and controlling the special stages, transporting technical and production teams, as well as carrying event equipment and providing rescue support.
Social Projects at Sertões
Beyond the rally itself, Sertões also aims to leave a legacy wherever it passes. Promoting Brazilian culture through food and art, engaging local communities in small towns to help address gaps in healthcare and education, and reaching as many people and small businesses as possible are among the organisation's core missions.
The social initiatives include: SAS Brasil, the Menstrual Poverty project, an Arts Competition, the Rally da Educação (Education Rally), the Sabores do Sertão (Flavours of the Sertão) competition, and the promotion of Brazilian craftsmanship.
Sertões Environmental
Environmental initiatives are one of the top priorities for the biggest rally in the Americas. This starts with making the event Carbon Zero, offsetting CO2 emissions from the entire fleet and participants' air travel.
In addition, Sertões works actively to minimise its environmental impact along its routes, addressing several fronts. A network of partners has been established to carry out sustainability initiatives in a coordinated and effective way — work led by the Sertões Ambiental team, responsible for managing this "Sustainable Hub."
These initiatives have been brought together under the concept "Seven Acts to Keep Our Stage Alive," following ABNT 20121 standards.
The environmental initiatives include: CO2 emissions offsetting, waste management, environmental education, re-refining of used and contaminated lubricant oil, trail clean-up, filter donations, and environmental volunteering.
About Sertões Petrobras 2026
Total Route: 4,020 km
Total Timed Special Stages: 2,611 km
Total Timed Special Stages (Production): 1,493 km Total Support Route: 2,299 km
Stage 1 – 23/08 (Sunday) Goiânia (GO) > Cavalcante (GO) DI: 265 km | SS: 343 km | SSP: 180 km | DF: 43 km Total: 651 km
Stage 2 – 24/08 (Monday) Cavalcante (GO) > Luís Eduardo Magalhães (BA) DI: 184 km | SS: 419 km | SSP: 230 km | DF: 20 km Total: 623 km
Stage 3 – 25/08 (Tuesday) Luís Eduardo Magalhães (BA) > Mateiros (TO) DI: 22 km | SS: 511 km | SSP: 295 km | DF: 0 km Total: 533 km
Stage 4 – 26/08 (Wednesday) Mateiros (TO) > Porto Nacional (TO) DI: 0 km | SS: 304 km | SSP: 117 km | DF: 268 km Total: 572 km
Stage 5 – 27/08 (Thursday) Porto Nacional (TO) > Minaçu (GO) DI: 233 km | SS: 309 km | SSP: 156 km | DF: 20 km Total: 562 km
Stage 6 – 28/08 (Friday) Minaçu (GO) > Niquelândia (GO) DI: 79 km | SS: 319 km | SSP: 241 km | DF: 50 km Total: 448 km
Stage 7 – 29/08 (Saturday) Niquelândia (GO) > Goianésia (GO) DI: 48 km | SS: 279 km | SSP: 147 km | DF: 18 km Total: 345 km
Stage 8 – 30/08 (Sunday) Goianésia (GO) > Goiânia (GO) DI: 17 km | SS: 127 km | SSP: 127 km | DF: 142 km Total: 286 km
*DI: Initial Transfer *SS: Timed Special Stage *SSP: Timed Special Stage (Production Category) *DF: Final Transfer
About Spinelli Racing
Founded in 2017 by driver and businessman Guiga Spinelli, Spinelli Racing operates in organising motorsport and corporate events, managing the Velocitta racetrack, and technical work through a workshop dedicated to developing and maintaining racing and special-purpose cars.
About HPE Automotores
On the market since 1991, HPE Automotores do Brasil is the official representative of the Mitsubishi Motors and Suzuki brands in the country. For HPE, being 4x4 is a way of life.
Source: Mitsubishi Motors
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