New Zealand rally driver Bryn Jones will return to Europe full-time in 2026 to contest the Peugeot Rally Cup Iberia, reuniting with the Portuguese motorsport preparation firm, PT Racing, for a full five-round campaign.
The 23-year-old from Cambridge comes into the season following a dominant 2025 campaign at home, where he secured both the New Zealand FIA Two-Wheel-Drive Championship and the Overall Two-Wheel-Drive Championship, scoring maximum points in every round of his class.
“It’s great to be heading back to Portugal to compete in the full Peugeot Rally Cup Iberia,” said Jones.
“After an unforgettable 2025 season, winning both the New Zealand FIA and Overall two-wheel-drive championships, and getting my first taste of international rallying, we felt this was the right time to take on a new challenge.”
Jones made his international rally debut at Rali da Água – Transibérico Eurocidade Chaves–Verín, where he finished nineteenth overall and sixth in the Peugeot Rally Cup against a highly experienced local field. He believes that experience will play a key role as he returns for a full championship assault.
“I really enjoyed my time at Rali da Água last September,” Jones explained.
“We came away with a strong result that showed our pace against the local competition, and being able to return allows us to build on that momentum.”
For 2026, Jones will contest all five rounds of the Peugeot Rally Cup Iberia in Portugal and will be joined by experienced co-driver Max Freeman, forming a new partnership for the European campaign.
Freeman is looking forward to the challenge ahead, saying, “I’m really excited to be working with Bryn on his first international campaign. The Peugeot Rally Cup has always been a great proving ground for upcoming talent, and this year’s series should be a real challenge and a fantastic way to unlock Bryn’s potential.”
Jones will again be supported by PT Racing, the team that guided him through his first International rally last year, providing valuable continuity as he steps up to a full-time European programme.
PT Racing team owner, Paulo Antunes, welcomed the expanded partnership, saying, “We at PT Racing are very happy to have Jones with us for the full 2026 season. We also welcome back Max Freeman to the team. We truly believe that we will achieve a great outcome from this campaign, ensuring Bryn Jones’ steady progression over the course of the season.”
“Our previous experience was a big help, as we were able to get to know the team very well, which gives us a lot of confidence returning to PT Racing,” Jones added.
“With Max’s experience rallying in Europe, we feel well-prepared heading into the season.”
The opening round of the Peugeot Rally Cup Iberia will take place on March 6-7 at the Rallye Vidreiro Centro de Portugal, marking the beginning of Jones’ first full international rally campaign.
Header Image: Supplied
