2026 Cross-Country Rally Calendar – Season's Main Events

The 2026 cross-country rally season promises to be intense, with the second half of the year bringing several very important rounds for drivers, teams, and UTV/SxS vehicle owners. The calendar includes, among others, AKPOL Baja Rally, AKPOL Baja Poland, Polish Safari Rally, and AKPOL Independence Rally.

These events are not just about speed, but primarily about vehicle reliability. Long stages, varying terrain, dust, sand, rocks, high temperatures, or autumn mud can quickly reveal whether a vehicle has been well-prepared. This applies to both off-road vehicles and UTVs such as Can-Am Maverick, Maverick X3, Maverick R, or Polaris RZR.

Below you will find the most important rounds of the 2026 cross-country rallies that are worth following in the second half of the season.

Date	Event	Location	Round	Organizer
31.07.2026 – 02.08.2026	AKPOL Baja Rally	Stalowa Wola	Round 4 MPRCC, Round 4 PCC	„BAJA POLAND” Foundation
27.08.2026 – 30.08.2026	AKPOL Baja Poland 2026	Szczecin	Round 5 MPRCC, Round 5 PCC	„BAJA POLAND” Foundation
09.10.2026 – 11.10.2026	45th Polish Safari Rally	Przasnysz	Round 6 MPRCC, Round 6 PCC	Automobilklub Polski
06.11.2026 – 08.11.2026	AKPOL Independence Rally	Drawsko Pomorskie	Round 7 MPRCC, Round 7 PCC	„BAJA POLAND” Foundation

AKPOL Baja Rally – Stalowa Wola

Date: 31.07.2026 – 02.08.2026
Round: Round 4 MPRCC, Round 4 PCC
Organizer: „BAJA POLAND” Foundation
Location: Stalowa Wola

AKPOL Baja Rally is the fourth round of the Polish Cross Country Rally Championship and the Cross Country Cup. The event calendar indicates a change in date and location, so it's advisable to monitor official organizer announcements and rally documents before the start.

The summer timing means a heavy load on vehicles. High temperatures, fast stages, dust, and hard surfaces significantly impact the engine, transmission, brakes, tires, and suspension. In UTVs, temperature control, the condition of the CVT belt, half-shafts, CV joints, and cooling are particularly crucial.

Before such a start, it is especially important to check:

• cooling system,

• CVT belt and drivetrain,

• half-shafts and CV joints,

• suspension and play,

• brakes,

• wheels and tires,

• underbody protection,

• tightening torques of key components.

In Baja rallies, even minor play or overheating, which might not seem like a big problem during a short recreational ride, can lead to the end of competition on a special stage.

AKPOL Baja Poland 2026 – Szczecin

Date: 27.08.2026 – 30.08.2026
Round: Round 5 MPRCC, Round 5 PCC
Organizer: „BAJA POLAND” Foundation
Location: Szczecin

AKPOL Baja Poland is one of the most recognized cross-country events in Poland. The rally attracts strong crews, well-prepared teams, and vehicles built for truly demanding conditions.

This is an event where vehicle power alone is not enough. Full technical preparation is crucial: suspension, brakes, drivetrain, cooling, tires, protection, and cabin ergonomics. Long stages and high speeds mean that the car must not only be fast but, above all, predictable and resilient to stress.

For UTV/SxS vehicles, special attention should be paid to:

• engine and CVT operating temperature,

• condition of the air filter after driving in dust,

• belt wear,

• shock absorber condition,

• CV joint boots,

• brakes after previous training sessions,

• spare wheel and basic service parts.

Baja Poland is an event for which it's not advisable to prepare a vehicle in the last week. After every major service, parts replacement, or setup change, there should be time for testing and potential adjustments.

45th Polish Safari Rally – Przasnysz

Date: 09.10.2026 – 11.10.2026
Round: Round 6 MPRCC, Round 6 PCC
Organizer: Automobilklub Polski
Location: Przasnysz

The Polish Safari Rally is an event with a long history and a strong position in Polish off-road rallies. The 45th edition of the rally is planned for the 2026 season. The event calendar indicates a change in date, so it's also worth monitoring current organizer announcements here.

The autumn timing means completely different conditions than the summer rounds. There may be more moisture, slippery surfaces, mud, and variable grip. This requires a different approach to tires, suspension, brakes, and vehicle control.

Before the Polish Safari Rally, it will be especially important to check:

• tires and their suitability for the conditions,

• braking system,

• steering system,

• suspension after previous rounds,

• bearings, ball joints, and bushings,

• CV joint boots,

• air filter,

• system tightness and potential leaks.

For many teams, the October round is also a time when the vehicle has already had several starts or training sessions. Therefore, a regular pre-start check may not be enough. A more thorough inspection is advisable, especially if there have been previous issues with play, knocking, overheating, or brakes.

AKPOL Independence Rally – Drawsko Pomorskie

Data: 06.11.2026 – 08.11.2026
Runda: Round 7 MPRCC, Round 7 PCC
Organizator: „BAJA POLAND” Foundation
Miejsce: Drawsko Pomorskie

AKPOL Independence Rally is the seventh round of MPRCC and PCC and one of the last events of the season. Drawsko Pomorskie is well-known in the off-road rally community as a demanding location for both the crew and the equipment.

The November timing means colder conditions, moisture, mud, and a surface that can change rapidly. In such conditions, not only power but also sealing, effective brakes, efficient drivetrain, good traction, and suspension durability are of immense importance.

Before the final part of the season, it is worth checking the vehicle particularly thoroughly. After several months of driving, elements fatigued by the entire season may appear: worn bearings, play in the suspension, weakened brakes, CV joints requiring inspection, a worn CVT belt, or protective elements after previous impacts.

This is also a good time to assess the entire vehicle after the season. Even if the car completed previous rounds without major breakdowns, it does not mean that all components are in perfect condition.

Why combine the rally calendar with a service plan?

The cross-country rally calendar is not just a list of dates. For a team and vehicle owner, it should also be a service plan. Each round means different terrain, different temperatures, different types of load, and different risks of failure.

The biggest mistake is to prepare the vehicle only when the rally is a few days away. The professional approach is different: first inspection, then possible parts replacement, then testing, and only then the start.

Before each round, it is worth planning:

• suspension check,

• brake inspection,

• CVT belt check,

• half-shaft and CV joint inspection,

• cooling system check,

• tire selection according to conditions,

• inspection of guards and mountings,

• preparation of spare parts,

• vehicle test after service.

In cross-country rallies, it is often not the one with the most powerful vehicle who wins, but the one with the best-prepared and most reliable equipment.

UTV and SxS in cross-country rallies

UTV/SxS vehicles are increasingly making their presence felt in off-road rallies. Models such as Can-Am Maverick X3, Can-Am Maverick R, Polaris RZR Pro R, or Polaris RZR Turbo R have enormous potential but require proper preparation.

In a rally UTV, particularly important are:

• suspension,

• brakes,

• cooling,

• CVT belt,

• half-shafts,

• CV joints,

• guards,

• wheels and tires,

• intercom,

• GPS and rally equipment.

A production vehicle can be a good base, but for regular starts, it should be prepared for specific conditions and regulations. A UTV is built differently for its first start, differently for a full season, and yet differently for competing for a win.

Vehicle preparation for the cross-country season

Before starting the season, it's worth looking at the vehicle holistically. It's not just about replacing worn parts, but about assessing whether the car is ready for specific loads. If you plan to participate in several rounds, servicing should be spread throughout the season, not performed only after a breakdown.

A well-prepared vehicle should have:

• an efficient and tested cooling system,

• suspension without play,

• strong brakes,

• an efficient drivetrain,

• appropriately selected tires,

• protected underbody,

• a complete set of spare parts,

• correctly mounted rally equipment.

At ApexRace99, you can prepare a UTV or SxS vehicle for cross-country rallies — from servicing and parts selection to a complete build for a specific season. However, the most important thing is to start preparations early enough, not just before technical inspection.

Summary

The 2026 cross-country rally calendar includes several important events in the second half of the season: AKPOL Baja Rally in Stalowa Wola, AKPOL Baja Poland in Szczecin, the 45th Polish Safari Rally in Przasnysz, and AKPOL Independence Rally in Drawsko Pomorskie.

Each of these rounds has a different character and different requirements. Summer events mean high temperatures, dust, and heavy cooling loads. Autumn rounds bring a greater risk of mud, moisture, and variable grip. In both cases, one thing is key: the vehicle must be prepared in advance, thoroughly checked, and tested before the start.

A well-planned service, appropriate parts, and control of key systems can determine whether the rally ends at the finish line or much earlier in the service area.

FAQ

Which cross-country rallies will take place in the second half of the 2026 season?

The second half of the season includes AKPOL Baja Rally in Stalowa Wola, AKPOL Baja Poland in Szczecin, the 45th Polish Safari Rally in Przasnysz, and AKPOL Independence Rally in Drawsko Pomorskie.

How to prepare a UTV for a cross-country rally?

Before the rally, you need to check safety, suspension, brakes, steering system, cooling, drivetrain, CVT belt, half-shafts, CV joints, wheels, tires, guards, tools, and spare parts.

When is the best time to service before a rally?

It is best to perform service in advance so that after parts replacement or adjustments, there is time to test the vehicle. Preparing the car just before the rally increases the risk of problems on the track.

Is a production UTV suitable for starting a rally?

A production UTV can be a good base, but for a rally, it requires inspection and preparation in accordance with regulations and track conditions. The scope of work depends on the event level, the crew's goal, and the intensity of driving.

What UTV vehicles are most often prepared for rallies?

For cross-country rallies, vehicles such as Can-Am Maverick X3, Can-Am Maverick R, Polaris RZR Pro R, Polaris RZR Turbo R, and other SxS constructions are often prepared.