Young gun Jaidyn Gluskie has confirmed a part-time program for the 2026 EROAD Australian Rally Championship (ARC) with the potential to expand to five rounds of the season.
Locked in for the incoming Narooma Forest Rally and his home event of Rally Tasmania, Gluskie also has his sights set on attending the season-opening Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland, with just a few more pieces to fall into place.
How he fares in three of the four opening rounds of the 2026 season will determine whether he makes the trip to the Adelaide Hills and Gippsland, but the Tasmanian is keen to get his campaign underway.
“Queensland is definitely the intention, but there are still a few things that need to fall into place to make sure the car’s ready. We’re locked in for Tasmania and Narooma, and we’ll reassess the second half of the season after Tassie,” Gluskie said.
“I’d love to be part of the full season again, but for this year it’s about what’s doable financially and time-wise. We’ll make a judgement call once Tassie’s done and dusted.
“If we’re in a competitive position when it comes time to decide on the rest of the season, of course that will have an influence. But the campaign is structured around what’s achievable and the events I genuinely enjoy.”
Since making his ARC debut in 2024, Gluskie has been a semi-regular in Australia’s premier rally competition, attending five rounds in his maiden year and three rounds last year.
His first season in the ARC saw him pick up a handful of ARC Junior Cup Heat wins, while also claiming a WOLF Cup podium at the Adelaide Hills Rally.
Completing three rounds last year, Gluskie’s best career result came in Queensland, where he scored another WOLF Cup podium and finished eighth outright. Unfortunately, a big crash at a Tasmanian event derailed his overall season and saw his regular co-driver and sister Lucy out for the year.
Despite the crash, Gluskie was able to make it to the final round of the season in a new car – his home rally in Tasmania – where he topped the Junior Cup and enjoyed a WOLF Cup top-five finish alongside Rhys Llewellyn.
With a busy two years in the ARC now behind him, Gluskie has shifted the goals for his 2026 plans as he looks to get back to basics and continue building an online presence, which began in recent times.
“Regardless of what the Junior Cup looks like this year, I value competing at the highest level against the best drivers in the country, which is why I want to do as much as I can,” Gluskie added.
“I’m coming along for my own enjoyment and to continue my development as a driver. I’m not as focused on trying to win everything anymore; I just want to keep improving.
“Another critical focus this year will be getting Lucy back into the car. It’s very important that she comes back on her own terms and with small steps, so the two of us will focus on the Tasmanian championship together, and for the ARC in 2026 I look forward to welcoming Rachael Towill into the car.
“With that said, if I make it to Queensland and get some good results in Narooma and Tasmania, then we will look seriously towards coming to the final events.
“Queensland is shaping up to be a fantastic event and it’s always well supported. I’ve made some great friends in the service park there over the last couple of years. Narooma is exciting as a new addition, and the roads there are one of a kind. Tassie is always special as my home event.
“With the YouTube videos I’ve started doing, I’ve found it’s a great way to share my passion for the sport with others. Being in the ARC gives me a strong platform to keep building that, and I’m really enjoying that side of the sport at the moment.”
