The 34th edition of the Sertões Petrobras has taken definitive shape. Following the completion of the route survey by the technical team, organisers have confirmed the full details of the course that competitors will face from August 22 to 30. Starting and finishing in Goiânia, the rally will cross the states of Goiás, Bahia, Tocantins and Maranhão before returning to its point of origin, where the winners will be crowned.
Along the way, competitors will tackle almost 4,000 kilometres of varied terrain and conditions, providing all the ingredients for a true endurance test. Organisers promise a demanding, technical and challenging event from the very first kilometres, staying true to the tradition of the largest rally in the Americas.
One of the most notable features of the 2026 route is the large number of winding sections and mountain crossings spread throughout the eight stages. In these areas, driving skill, navigation accuracy and attention to detail will prove more important than outright power. Navigation is once again expected to play a decisive role.
The famous sands and trails of Jalapão return to the route, including regions that have not been visited by the Sertões Petrobras for nearly two decades. The return leg towards Goiânia from Porto Nacional, which marks the halfway point of the rally, is also expected to be particularly demanding, featuring rough roads, rocky sections and narrow tracks where mistakes are likely to be heavily punished.
New for 2026, the Production category (which includes the Ultimate SP, Ultimate Pro, Stock and Classic car classes) will contest shorter special stages, with the exception of the third and eighth days. The change is designed to better suit production-based vehicles and prevent crews starting later from being forced to travel without daylight, even during liaison sections. Reduced mileage, however, does not mean an easier challenge.
Competitors in the motorcycle, car and UTV categories will cover a total distance of 3,984 kilometres, including 2,628 kilometres against the clock. Production competitors will tackle 1,704 competitive kilometres.
The rally begins on August 23 with a demanding opening stage from Goiânia to Cavalcante before heading to Luís Eduardo Magalhães and then into the heart of Jalapão. The Marathon Stage will take competitors from Luís Eduardo Magalhães to Mateiros and Porto Nacional, where crews will have to rely solely on their own skills to maintain their vehicles overnight. The second half of the rally passes through Minaçu, Niquelândia and Goianésia before the final stage returns competitors to Goiânia on August 30.
According to Technical Director Edgar Fabre, the 2026 edition has all the ingredients to become one of the toughest Sertões rallies in recent years.
"Sertões Petrobras 2026 promises to be one of the most difficult editions of recent years. We have created a route that will demand a great deal from the vehicles, but also from the physical preparation of drivers and navigators. The winding tracks will offer little opportunity to rest and will require constant concentration. The same applies to the sands of Jalapão, which will be at their very best. This will be an event that rewards the most complete competitors," said Fabre.
Source: Sertões
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