Jackson Long to Drive Brinkman’s WRX Challenge Car at Adelaide Hills Rally

After an impressive performance at the 2025 Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland, rising rally star Jackson Long has been provided a major opportunity. He will pilot Glenn Brinkman’s Subaru WRX Challenge car at the upcoming Adelaide Hills Rally, a round of the Bosch Motorsport Australian Rally Championship.

Brinkman, who is committed to running his iconic Ford Escort Cosworth in the South Australian Rally Championship, made the decision to keep his WRX Challenge car on the road and chose Jackson to take the wheel.

“We’re driving Glenn Brinkman’s WRX Challenge car in South Australia, which is really exciting,” said Jackson. “I drove it at the test day in Western Australia and it was a lot of fun. It certainly drives like a rally carand learning anything new is great for us, and the South Australian roads are the perfect spot to do it.”

Jackson, who claimed first place in the ARC Junior Cup, second in the ARC Production Cup, and seventh outright at Rally Queensland, has shown not only speed but maturity beyond his years. His steady progression from club-level events into the national championship has been carefully managed alongside co-driver, and father, Damien Long, and the results are beginning to speak for themselves.

The WRX Challenge, introduced in 2024, has been designed as a cost-effective entry point for teams running production-based Subaru WRX vehicles. The series is already proving a popular stepping stone for aspiring drivers and Long’s entry in Brinkman’s car for Adelaide shows the challenge is achieving its goals.

“I’ve been watching him and his dad, and he’s doing all the right things,” said Brinkman. “He’s running a Subaru RS and doing it step by step, not just getting thrown into the deep end with an outright four wheel drive car”

“I’ve got a commitment to Subaru to have the WRX Challenge cars at every round of the ARC,” he added. “Since I can’t drive this one in Adelaide, it made perfect sense to hand it over to someone like Jackson. I couldn’t think of anyone better.”

For Jackson, this marks a step up and a chance to show his versatility and speed in a new car, on fast and unfamiliar roads. The Adelaide Hills Rally, known for its technical stages, high-speed sections, and passionate rally fanbase, will provide an ideal testing ground.

“Glenn’s been incredibly generous, not just with this opportunity but with how much he gives back to the sport,” said Jackson. “It means a lot to be trusted with the car, and I’m looking forward to making the most of it.”

While Dakar Champion Toby Price currently leads the WRX Challenge series after a strong win at Rally Queensland, he will not be competing in the WRX at the Adelaide Hills Rally, as he is set to drive the KickAss Motorsport Mitsubishi Evo in the outright ARC field. This opens the door for new challengers and gives Jackson Long the perfect opportunity to step into the spotlight in Brinkman’s WRX.

With the WRX Challenge gaining momentum and young talent like Jackson stepping up, the future of Australian rallying is in safe hands and all eyes will be on South Australia next month as Jackson Long takes the start line in Brinkman’s WRX