Dramatic Rally Showdown in Tielt: Max Potty Secures stunning Victory at the Tac Rally

The 2026 TAC Rally, held around the town of Tielt, marked the second Division 1 event of the season and the third round of the Belgian Rally Championship. With 75 entries and 12 competitive stages, the event delivered a full day of action as changing weather conditions shifted from cold and cloudy in the morning to milder temperatures later on.

A strong focus was placed on the Rally2 category, where Škoda Fabia Rally2 dominated the field with nine entries, making it the most represented car in its class. At the front, the rally evolved into a thrilling three way battle between Maxime Potty, Cédric Chérain, and Jos Verstappen. Potty set the tone with six stage wins, while Verstappen claimed four and Chérain secured two, including the crucial Power Stage that awards additional championship points.

In the end, Potty emerged victorious with a margin of 7.4 seconds over Verstappen, while Chérain completed the podium. Thanks to his Power Stage success, Chérain regained the lead in the championship standings. Fourth place went to Lander Depotter and co driver Thibaud Vandeputte, who were also named Actronis Driver of the Day. Bastien Rouard, winner of the Rallye des Ardennes, finished fifth in his Citroën C3 Rally2 and stood out as the highest placed driver not competing in a Škoda.

The rally also featured several incidents and retirements. A heavy crash for Rogers Hudenius on the opening stage led to an early exit for him and his co driver. Jimmy D’Hondt and Chris Vandamme were among the other notable retirements, contributing to a total of 14 crews failing to finish. Steven Dolfen provided one of the more dramatic moments after colliding with a fence post on stage ten, yet still managed to complete the stage despite significant front end damage.

In the RGT category, Pieterjanmichiel Cracco delivered a flawless performance, winning every stage in his Porsche 911 Rally GT. He was joined on the podium by Glenn Janssens and Stefaan Prinzie, completing a clean sweep for the iconic Porsche model.

The 2026 TAC Rally combined intense competition, shifting conditions, and standout performances, further shaping the title fight in the Belgian Rally Championship and confirming its reputation as one of the key events of the season.