The 24-year-old becomes the first South African to win the Spanish Gravel Rally Championship after a standout season.
Spain (03 November 2026) – South African rally driver Max Smart has taken his motorsport journey to new heights after being crowned the 2026 Spanish Gravel Rally Champion.
The 24-year-old has made history as the first South African to win the national championship, becoming one of the country’s exciting young names to watch in international motorsport.
Smart sealed the overall title at the season-ending Rally of Granada, where a third-place finish was enough to secure the championship after an impressive campaign that included three rally victories.
The Spanish Gravel Rally Championship, known locally as the Campeonato de España de Rallyes de Tierra, is a national rally series contested on gravel and dirt roads. Drivers and co-drivers compete across timed stages, with consistency and performance throughout the season determining the overall champion.
The title is the reward for a journey built on determination, sacrifice and a willingness to take a chance on himself. His love for motorsport began at a young age, growing up riding dirt bikes before developing an interest in rallying through video games. He even went as far as building his own racing simulator to sharpen his skills.
In 2022, he won the FIA Rally Star African Continental Final, beating competitors from across the continent and taking another important step towards an international career.
His ambitions eventually took him to Spain, where he booked a one-way ticket despite not having secured all the sponsorship needed to make the move possible.
It was a bold decision, but one that has now paid off in a big way.
Following his championship success, Smart thanked his team, supporters and sponsors for backing him throughout the season. He also highlighted the role played by his team at PCR Sport and co-driver Jandrín López.
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From building a simulator at home to becoming a champion on Spanish gravel, his journey is certainly one worth following.
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You can read more about his career here.
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