2026 Sonora Rally | SS1, Day 1

Day One of the 2026 Sonora Rally Treks to Puerto Libertad

Just as every stick of dynamite waits on the quiet burn of a fuse, the 2026 Sonora Rally came to life with a slow build before detonating into motion. Following a full day of registration and technical inspection in Puerto Peñasco, anticipation gave way to action as competitors set off toward Puerto Libertad for the opening stage of this year’s rally.

The transition from pavement to sand was immediate and unforgiving. The field broke away from the highway and into the desert in a sweeping motion—cutting across rail lines, diving into soft terrain, and accelerating toward the unknown. A solitary “ALTO” sign marked the edge of civilization, but for those lining up at the start of Special Stage 1, it might as well have read one thing: go.

Stage 1 unfolded along a deceptively complex mix of terrain. What began as fast, sandy tracks tightened into canyon sections before spilling out toward the coastline, where navigation and rhythm became increasingly difficult to maintain. The openness of the inland desert gave way to sections that felt almost hypnotic—long stretches of uniform terrain suddenly interrupted by shifts in elevation and direction. It was a stage that demanded attention early and punished complacency just as quickly.

Despite a relatively clean opening day for some, others were introduced immediately to the realities of rally raid. Penalties and navigation errors began shaping the leaderboard from the outset, while mechanical strain and fuel management became critical factors in the soft, power-draining sand. Tim Donaworth (#9) was among those caught out by the conditions, running out of fuel mid-stage, while multiple competitors across both Moto and Auto categories incurred penalties for speed zone infractions and missed waypoints—early indicators that precision, not just pace, will define the days ahead.

In the Auto category, Mike Shirley and Eric Pucelik (#206) set the early benchmark, claiming the Stage 1 win with a time of 3:34:19. Close behind, Jorge Cano and Abelardo Ruanova (#202) secured second overall and first in the UTV Stock class with a 3:38:29, despite carrying a four-minute penalty. Daniel Gonzalez and Jorge Hernandez (#204) rounded out the podium positions, followed by Steven Brink and Kevin Omo (#203), whose steady navigation kept them competitive in a stage where mistakes proved costly.

For Cano and Ruanova, the stage marks the beginning of their Road to Dakar campaign. As the only SSV entry currently positioned to claim the $32,000 Dakar entry package awarded through Sonora Rally, their performance puts them in early contention—but far from security. With multiple days of racing ahead, the combination of navigation, terrain, and mechanical endurance will ultimately decide whether that opportunity is earned or lost.

On two wheels, Ciaran Naran (#21) delivered a composed and efficient ride to take the Stage 1 Moto victory with a time of 3:27:10. Mike Johnson (#8) and Kyle McKoy (#1) followed closely behind, establishing what is already shaping into a tightly contested battle at the front of the Pro class. McKoy, running first on course, described the isolation of opening the stage—riding without tracks, relying entirely on the roadbook, and setting the line for those behind him.

Further down the order, penalties played a defining role in reshuffling positions. Riders like Armando Alonso Morales (#6), Adolfo Alonso (#2), and Timur Urakov (#15) all saw their stage times impacted by time penalties, tightening the margins and adding early pressure to what will be a cumulative fight over the coming days.

Within that broader race, the Dakar Dreams category quietly began to take shape. Ryan Nariño (#5) leads the standings after Stage 1, followed by Armando Alonso Morales (#6) and Adolfo Alonso (#2), with Alexis Raoux (#16) and Christophe Suberville (#23) also firmly in contention. With the $10,000 Dakar entry support prize on the line, the category remains wide open, where consistency and calculated risk will likely prove more valuable than outright speed.

As the sun set over Puerto Libertad, the bivouac came alive with the familiar rhythm of rally life—repairs underway, roadbooks reviewed, and conversations exchanged between competitors who had just endured their first test of the week. There is a certain electricity that follows the opening stage: part relief, part recalibration, and part anticipation for what lies ahead.

Stage 2 will push the field further inland toward Caborca, covering 188 kilometers of competitive terrain. While shorter on paper, Sonora Rally rarely measures difficulty by distance alone. If Stage 1 served as an introduction, the days ahead will begin to reveal the true shape of this year’s rally.

For updates, news, and race reports throughout the rally, follow Sonora Rally on  Instagram,  YouTube, and  Facebook. Commentary and race coverage will also be shared through the Chasing Waypoints Podcast, with content available on  YouTube,  Instagram, and  Facebook.