Special Stage: The ARC's big new TV deal explained (feat. Adrian Coppin)

On this episode of Special Stage, Luke Whitten sits down with Australian Rally Championship Manager Adrian Coppin to break down the major news surrounding the series' new broadcast deal. With a move to Fox Sports and Kayo officially locked in for 2026, we discuss what this means for the sport's visibility and for the fans watching from home. We also dive into the revised event formats, including the new Shakedown schedule and the highly anticipated changes coming to Rally Queensland in Gympie. It is a listen for anyone wanting to know the direction of the ARC in 2026. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Special Stage, we discuss the impressive feats of Taylor Gill and Daniel Brkic at Rally Sweden, where they finished fourth in the WRC2 category. Does this result give them a better chance to lock in more WRC rallies? And what are the odds of an Aussie entry later in the year? We also shift gears to talk about tarmac rallying – specifically the Mt Buller Sprint – and dive into the history of rallying’s two distinct surfaces in Australia. Last, but not least… we unpack the latest feature on the RallySport Magazine website. The 1991 Australian Rally Championship was highly controversial, and we explain what subscribers can expect online. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first episode of 2026 is here, and Luke and Peter Whitten are back to kick off the new season with a wide-ranging rally chat. They unpack Hayden Paddon’s Monte Carlo performance, look ahead to WRC Sweden with expectations for Taylor Gill, and discuss event promotion and the new street stage in Queensland. Listeners also get a behind-the-scenes insight into the Otago Rally book project, and questions are asked on whether Australia has a flagship rally event, and what could be done to get one in the absence of Rally Australia in the modern era. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RallySport Magazine visit Australia's leading rally team, Neal Bates Motorsport, for this week’s Special Stage Rally Podcast to talk with Harry and Lewis Bates. Both won rounds of the Australian Rally Championship this year, and we asked them about the season, what it was like competing against Hayden Paddon and what the offseason has in store... We also ask about improvements. How can they improve their speed when seat time is so limited?  It’s a laid back conversation which covers many topics with these Australian Rally Champions, and is one not to miss. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you didn't know that the Alpine Rally was run and won last weekend, there's a fair chance you were living under a rock. We talk in-depth about the event on this week's Special Stage Rally Podcast, from the rally winners to the weather conditions and everything in between. But it wasn't the only rally on last weekend, with the WRC decided in Saudi Arabia. Was the result of the WRC a shock, and is Sebastien Ogier the greatest of all time? We give our views, and look ahead to this weekend’s Safari, where Aussies Tim Wilkins and Ray Winwood-Smith will compete in a Datsun 260Z. It's December, but there's still plenty to talk about on the Special Stage Rally Podcast. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The wait is almost over, with the 2025 Alpine Rally set to run in East Gippsland this weekend. This week's Special Stage Rally Podcast is all about the Alpine, and we've chatted to some of the leading contenders to get their views on how the event is going to play out. Can Nathan Quinn complete a hat-trick? Will Tristan Carrigan's big Magna spoil the party, or perhaps Brendan Reeves will finally break his Alpine duck. We discuss the weather, the stage lengths, and who we think might be holding up the winner's trophy after three tough days of competition. Fourteen stages and 370 competitive kilometres are ahead of us, and we can't wait. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tasmania? Japan? Whangarei? What was your focus on a weekend full of rally action? The Special Stage Rally Podcast team are back with in-depth discussion on all three events that filled our lives over the weekend. From Hayden Paddon's ARC triumph, Ben Hunt’s title in New Zealand, to another Sebastien Ogier masterclass, we have it all covered. Then there's Ott Tanak's retirement, Oliver Solberg's second coming at the top level, and much more. Sit back and listen to the guys chat all things rallying on another bumper edition of the Special Stage Rally Podcast. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The season finale is here! Rally Tasmania is set to decide who takes home the Australian Rally Championship crown — with both Hayden Paddon and Lewis Bates still in contention for the title. Host Matthew Whitten is joined by Taylor Gill to break down what’s in store on the island stages, and what it will take for the championship hopefuls to come out on top. We also take a look beyond Australia — previewing Rally Japan as well as the International Rally of Whangarei in New Zealand as we see where we think the big names will end up. Plus, Taylor shares insights from his season finale at the Central European Rally. It’s arguably the biggest rally week of the year — listen now to lap up all the anticipation for three big events. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> ⁠https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a heart breaker! Taylor Gill came so close to winning the 2025 Junior World Rally Championship that it's still hard to believe what we witnessed. The Special Stage Rally Podcast team discuss the Central European Rally with a fine tooth comb, and despite the result, we couldn't be any prouder of Taylor and Dan Brkic and the season they produced. There was also plenty happening at the top end of the WRC, while closer to home, we recap last weekend's Akademos Rally in Victoria, and look ahead to the state championship finale in Western Australia. We touch on Jackson Long's new-for-2026 Skoda Fabia R5, and what's next for rallying's top juniors, now that the FIA Rally Star program has concluded. Rallying is a never-ending story, so join us this week as we talk about the hot topics. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's Special Stage Rally Podcast, we delve into last weekend's Adelaide Hills Rally, the fifth round of the Australian Rally Championship. It saw another masterclass from Kiwi Hayden Paddon, but also ended the title hopes of Harry Bates after he put his Toyota off the road. We discuss the implications from the weekend, review the performances of some of your favourite drivers, and look ahead to the final round in Tasmania. Taylor Gill's Rally3 win in Croatia is also on the agenda, as is the upcoming round of the New South Wales Rally Championship. It's getting close to Alpine Rally time as well, with several drivers already beginning their preparations. All that and more on this week's Special Stage Rally Podcast. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices