Storming Catchacoma: The Monsoon at the 2026 Black Bear Rally
The Battle in Catchacoma
The 2026 edition of the Black Bear Rally, organized by Bruce Leonard and the dedicated crew at the Maple Leaf Rally Club (MLRC) on August 8th, was one for the history books.
Staged out of the Cavendish Community Centre in Catchacoma, Ontario, the event promised fast, technical gravel.
As we’re all keenly aware, Mother Nature has been punishing Canadian summers with extreme weather lately, and Catchacoma was ground zero.
Defying the Elements: Marshals & Fans
Long before the first car tore off the line, a monstrous summer thunderstorm rolled across the county. Lightning cracked across the horizon, and heavy thunder echoed through the trees as everyone prepared for the start.
Marshals, timing officials, volunteers, and die-hard spectators lined the stages, well-prepared for a long day in the woods, but nothing could quite prepare us for the sudden deluge. The sky opened up just as Stage 1 went live. Hunkering down under heavy tree canopies, huddled beneath umbrellas, or packed under the open hatchbacks of parked cars, the crowd stayed rooted to their spots to cheer on the grid.
It takes a special kind of dedication to stand out in a torrential downpour, but the rally community's fire wasn't about to be put out by a little—or a lot of—rain.
Aquaplaning on Gravel
The rain accumulated rapidly, rushing down the hills and forming river-like streams that washed down the slopes. Teams reported immediate hydroplaning and near-zero visibility through their wiped windshields.
Drivers had to walk a razor-thin tightrope: attack hard enough to build an early lead, but exercise enough caution to keep their cars out of the dense forest.
This rinse cycle was stuck on repeat for most of the day, offering only brief moments of dry weather.
Car 77 Alton Gonsalves / Mark Gonsalves
Challenges: fogged windscreen and a leaky floor.
With the gravel softening into deep slush, grip levels became completely unpredictable:
Stage 2 Drama: Simon Bauman and Daniel Kelly fell victim to the treacherous conditions, taking a brief trip into the ditch. Thanks to the swift work of the "Sweep" crew, they were pulled out and able to continue, though the 8-minute delay effectively ended their shot at a Prep 2WD podium.
Stage 3 Surge: Despite the continuing storm, drivers began finding their groove in the mud. Overall winners Michael Dimkovski and Simon Levac put on a masterclass, shaving a staggering 38 seconds off their Stage 1 pass time on Stage 3.
A brief reprieve during Stage 4 allowed everyone a chance to wring out their soaked gear and regroup at the service park before heading into the final loops.
The stage layout extended off Quarry Road and onto Loom Lake Road for 4.6 kilometers of sheer, hilly bliss.
The road narrowed, the crests peaked sharper, and the margins for error vanished completely.
Stage B2 and B3 proved how brutal Loom Lake can be when slick: car #18 made severe contact with a tree, while cars #177 and #323 met their demise off-road, forcing all three into early retirements.
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2026 Black Bear Rally Official Results
Captured in the Lens: Stage Action Gallery
Keeping the camera gear dry during downpours was a busy task however many incredible shots of the grid battling the elements were captured.
The full photo gallery below caught the raw intensity of the day!
Shown in order of finishing position
1st Car 977 Dimkovski / Levac
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8th Car 860 Toufanov / Bell
9th Car 787 Vanderwal / Dondish
10th Car 382 Desgroseilliers / Godin
11th Car 705 Galipeau / Turk
12th Car 225 Courchesne / L’Estage
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