British & Irish Championships 2026

[Sal yet again]

See the BRC calendar for next year is out and the East Ridings has been dropped after just one year and the Severn Valley is now the season opener. Three rounds in Wales and two in Scotland and only two tarmac rounds.

https://britishrallychampionship.co.uk/british-rally-championship-reveals-2026-calendar/

[Sal yet again]

https://asphaltrallying.com/2025/11/05/magnificent-seven-round-2026-protyre-motorsport-uk-asphalt-rally-championship-calendar-unveiled/

2026 asphalt rally championship calendar which does include the East Ridings stages which will be running stages on the Saturday night in the dark as well as the normal full Sunday. Could be fun if its icy!

[hutchie]

Interesting comment from East Riding Rally that seemingly the event isn't included in the calendar due to being too early in the year. Seems a daft reason to me with rally seasons typically not restricted to half a year like your typical race season. But I presume the championship had some feedback from competitors or someone that a shorter season would be better.

https://www.facebook.com/EastRidingStages/posts/pfbid0DJ3TVXu51xpQ3VzZ6z4FjA7nRkCmiPxnMyUoUubczgWy BTWLAr17ZZMzXSqYmLbdl

[Sal yet again]

All we need is another storm affecting the Welsh woods and the phone might still be ringing in Beverley..

[Sal yet again]

The provisional entry lists for the first events of the year in and around Yorkshire are looking pretty healthy with the Rally 2/4WD field for the Riponian in particular. Waiting for the East Ridings entry to open however expect that to continue the trend.

[Sal yet again]

https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2026/yorkshiredales/entries?type=u

Provisional entry list for the inaugural Yorkshire Dales rally at the end of March looking particularly sweet. Really looking forward to this one as long as the weather behaves!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G_W-IXYXgAAvlxM?format=jpg&name=small

[Sal yet again]

Not great news elsewhere....


Press Release Malcolm Wilson Rally 2026

It is with great sadness that we have to release the following statement.
The North Lakes forests became unavailable due to the cost of regrading and although we tried tirelessly to work out a plan with Forest England without those forests there was simply no answer to the logistical issues.
MSUK became involved in the later stages of negotiations in an intense few days but sadly a solution could not be found.

Therefore this year the 49th Malcolm Wilson Rally will not run.

Apologies to all those who wished to enter and also those support teams that we rely on.
We will continue to talk to Forest England and hope that the issues can be resolved for the future.

Press Officer
Richard Forster

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://ewrc-results.com/event/98754-corrib-oil-galway-international-rally-2026/entries

Not a great entry for the Galway International this weekend.

Compared to recent years there are many top names no longer taking part, such as Keith Cronin, Meirion Evans, Garry Jennings, Sam Moffett & Matt Edwards.

The MI Rally Academy is doing a lot for the sport, but the home Championship isnt gaining any top drivers.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Rally journalist John Fife on FB:

Thought for the Day …. The news from the North Lakes Forests in Cumbria is disturbing as it seems to be following a growing and worrying trend which is also affecting Scottish forests with access for motor rallying use being denied. Many reasons are being cited for this from harvesting to damage caused by rally cars, wildlife protection and nesting birds, beaver introduction and deer management, various fauna and plantlife disturbance and of course the oft claimed carbon reduction schemes and excuses.

Whereas in the past, car clubs dealt with local forest area managers (and built up good relationships), much of that decision making is now being controlled centrally, and if the ‘high heid yin’ says ‘naw’ then we’re scuppered.

However, one can understand the antagonism to rallying. Road (and ditch!) damage is costly to repair and if rallying is such a minority sport then criticism and complaints are more easily refuted. Not only that, when rallying comes to the local woodland, local folks and visitors are denied access to certain roads.

However, the forestry companies are partly to blame for the road damage. According to an experienced FC engineer current roads are not built to the same standard as they were 40 years ago. Neither are they maintained to the same standard, or as often as needed. Of course this is partly due to the fact that other timber extraction methods are now being used so roads don’t need to be built to such high standards. In some cases, roads aren’t needed at all as timber is being dragged out on cable crane systems.

Cost saving is another reason and coupled with advances in rally car improved traction, grip and tyre technology roads are being damaged rather more severely especially in braking areas, acceleration zones and sharp corners. So if a forestry area doesn’t want its roads chewed up, simple, ban the cars and create an excuse.

For instance one Local Forestry Manager has been heard saying that he would like to ban all rallying from March to October to protect the raptors – and we’re not talking Jurassic Park here, just eagles, hawks, owls and suchlike, i.e. birds which like to kill and feed on other wildlife in the forests. And this is yet another example of what rallying is up against. As the fifth largest landowner in the UK the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds carries a lot of clout with politicians at both local and national level. As such, the bird-watching community is a very powerful lobbying force able to generate a lot of public support for their activities and interests.

There are of course many other vested interests including walkers, dog walkers, hikers, cyclists, anglers, wildlife and bird watchers, naturalists and botanists, all keen to pursue their own interests, and of course general tourists.

This is what we are up against, but it should be pointed out to the Forestry companies that they are merely the managers of a publicly owned resource. They are responsible to the tax payer – that’s us! And since their remit is to allow public access to all – that also includes us. Rallying should not be edged out of the forest simply to appease the majority. There has to be room to accommodate all sporting pursuits and general interests.

And who should be pointing this out to Forestry management and the Government? The sport’s governing body? Once upon a time the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association regarded themselves purely as governors and regulators, not promotors and publicists and the sport has suffered from its low public profile ever since.

Admittedly the new-look MotorSport UK is making change, but not enough and not soon enough, although dealing with the Civil Service and politicians does take time, determination and perseverance. The trouble is forest rallying is running out of time, in fact some pundits reckon we’ll all be out of the forests by 2030.

We need to ‘tell’ rather than ‘request’ the forestry companies to permit access for rallying and that’s down to car club folk and competitors badgering their club committees to persuade the regional associations to encourage MS UK to pursue the fight at Forestry HO, Sports Council and Government level.

These people have to be reminded that the forests are a ‘public’ resource and all members of the public should be treated equally.

To deny vehicle access for rallying is quite wrong. The Forestry management companies already have to provide vehicular access for their own staff, contractors, farmers and agricultural equipment, Water Board and power company employees and equipment, medical and rescue services, and in some cases Royal Mail, parcel delivery firms and other contractors.

For our part we would need to look at the sport of rallying itself to do its bit. Already rallies are being asked to engage in carbon-offsetting schemes, but do we also need to look at power outputs, lower octane fuels, 4WD versus 2WD, less aggressive tyres? That might also lead to reduced costs for competitive equipment as well as reduced damage to roads.

Not popular perhaps, but what’s the alternative? Closed public roads? That opens up a whole other can of worms and associated costs – and it is most certainly not a cheaper form of rallying.

Anyone got a PlayStation I could have?

[AndyRAC]

Yeah, there's is always a reason why we can't have access to 'our' forests.........

[Sal yet again]

Having lost its BRC status this year the East Ridings entry list still looks very healthy!

https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2026/ersr/entries?type=s

[Sal yet again]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyxn1wyrvqo

Good to see the East Ridings getting some good press!

[Sal yet again]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyxn1wyrvqo

Good to see the East Ridings getting some good press!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I see reigning BRC Champion Will Creighton is switching to the ERC in 2026.

With Jurgenson in the WRC2, along with Chris Ingram, plus Cronin seems to have retired, who are we going to have at the top level in BRC this year ?

Meirion Evans, Max McRae and James Williams (if fully-recovered) are all I can think of who are decent quality. Can anyone else step up ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Wow, WRC Rally Scotland 2027 !!! :)

Including cross-border tests in Kielder Forest at Broomylinn and Kershope.

While an exact date on the 2027 calendar has yet to be confirmed, it’s understood a traditional Autumn slot will be found for an event anchored in Aberdeen’s P&J Live arena – the venue hosting an indoor service park.

[archie106]

Great news!

Will definitely be spectating at this.

There won't be stages in Kielder though so not sure where Kershope and Broomylinn come from? All stages are in North East Scotland.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great news!

Will definitely be spectating at this.

There won't be stages in Kielder though so not sure where Kershope and Broomylinn come from? All stages are in North East Scotland.

Sorry, my bad. Just sped through the Dirtfish article and it was mentioned but re an old RAC Rally.

[Steve Boyd]

Assuming that the Grampian Rally will be the candidate event (right area & already a BRC round), it will be interesting to see if there are any WRC competitors on the entry list. It's a week after Finland and there's 2½ weeks after the Grampian to get to Paraguay for the recce, so it should be possible for current WEC contenders to travel to Aberdeen for a look.

[archie106]

Sorry, my bad. Just sped through the Dirtfish article and it was mentioned but re an old RAC Rally.

You had me excited for a second there! would love to see the WRC back in Kershope.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Meirion Evans news...

2026 let’s go !

Excited to be back for another go at the @BRCrally in 2026 in our Castrol
backed Yaris Rally2!

@OsianPryce joins us for the year which will hopefully bring at least as much success as last year.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

WRC UK return... dont waste this opportunity !

https://youtu.be/WJ9K4FXa4d8?si=VGu8bRwNGs4hfofD

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good entry for the first Yorkshire Dales Rally...

https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2026/yorkshiredales/entries?type=s

[Sal yet again]

Just SS1 for me on the Yorkshire Dales Rally yesterday as wasnt feeling great and the weather was pretty poor.

From the in car footage Ive seen it looked a proper challenge and certainly one for the competitors as the nature of the roads used didnt appear to lend themselves to lots of spectators being easily accommadated.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Very windy with horizontal rain. Well done all who braved it, including this camera crew...

https://youtu.be/M-oVCME8FiQ?si=985U4j1QlYpoxJrW

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Live Irish rally action now goes behind a paywall... :(

https://onthelimitsports.ie/

[AndyRAC]

Absolute madness......Plenty of people in rallying who think its far bigger than it actually is......

[Fast Eddie WRC]

There was some free live action on the ITRC FB with Hollie McRae and Jon Armstrong:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AdTZ2pNqi/

And during it I got a mention... and Jon Armstrong knows me ! ;)

https://www.facebook.com/share/1B8mvqK3fs/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

BRC Severn Valley National Stages entry is pretty thin..

https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2026/rallynutse1/entries?type=s&combined=1&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPMjc1MjU0N jkyNTk4Mjc5AAEeZkxwCkzV2o4UkLKK9EtV5P88exaB1TjuCZC 4TodO7jLjQ1kPxb4b4NC20CE_aem_wfkCPo40NNMHyWeHi-sFcw

[Sal yet again]

Yes the BRC looks like its stumbling again...

[AndyRAC]

I was interested in going - but the spectator points/ timings aren't great.....A shame neither Sweetlamb or Epynt aren't used. BRC should have more spectator friendly events.....

[Steve Boyd]

A shame neither Sweetlamb or Epynt aren't used.It's the Severn Valley Stages - not the Nicky Grist!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Puncture for McRae on SS4 has blown his chances on Round 1.

[Steve Boyd]

Puncture for McRae on SS4 has blown his chances on Round 1.Looking at the final results (https://results.djames.org.uk/results/event.php?EventID=748&FinalResultsPDF=Final+Results+PDF), it only cost him one or two places. He wasn't generally as quick as Pryce and it was a toss-up between Max and Evans as to who would have been second without Max's puncture. If you want to do more analysis, have a look at the options on the TCS results page here https://results.djames.org.uk/results/. The shortage of strong opposition has helped him a bit here and may well help others as the season goes on.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Looking at the final results (https://results.djames.org.uk/results/event.php?EventID=748&FinalResultsPDF=Final+Results+PDF), it only cost him one or two places. He wasn't generally as quick as Pryce and it was a toss-up between Max and Evans as to who would have been second without Max's puncture. If you want to do more analysis, have a look at the options on the TCS results page here https://results.djames.org.uk/results/. The shortage of strong opposition has helped him a bit here and may well help others as the season goes on.

That's true, but 4th of the main (only) contenders wasnt the result he was looking for after recent wins in Wales.

Pryce has to be the Title favourite but pressure from McRae would've been good. Pryce will only get stronger as he beds in to the Toyota.

[Sal yet again]

https://britishrallychampionship.co.uk/british-rally-championship-reveals-new-media-package-for-2026/

How to put a positive spin on why there wont be any more terrestrial tv coverage for the BRC when not enough people are watching it. Just call it exciting social first. IMO needs all the outlets it can get but if the viewing figures and number of competitors don't stack up then no money to pay presenters and crew.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The online coverage was no different than before. Stage ends only from the BRC on YT and I guess the FB was the same.

Same team too, no sign of Chris Rawes or Peter MacKay so they must only be doing the YT highlights.

But then with only a few serious top class competitors what can you expect. I suppose we should be glad of what there is and of the live action by Special Stage and Xlerate...

[Sal yet again]

Just tried watching the BRC first round "highlights" on YT and quickly gave up! Obviously zero budget with footage shot on Go-pros and godawful background muzak. Nul points from me..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

BRC 2026 Round 1 highlights

https://youtu.be/yTokhgk41wM?si=y_1k4N31wvWc993m

Not great action but told the story. Hopefully the future rounds will be better.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

A bit of good news for this weekend's Rally of the Lakes.. there was some free live coverage by On the Limit Sports...

https://www.youtube.com/live/0k4Swhm0aLU?si=rlDTlOKScSGagOTI

And these guys...

https://youtube.com/@kc-rally-and-planes?si=hkLH_Qt_sRd2OUAI

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Jim Clark Rally entry list

https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2026/jimclark/entries.php?type=s

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Oh my days, Kiellder Carlisle Stages cancelled !

https://britishrallychampionship.co.uk/motorsport-uk-british-rally-championship-statement-round-3-kielder-carlisle-stages/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPMjc1MjU0 NjkyNTk4Mjc5AAEeUqNTQVj6I6g4LrOzzBD7V-QXWUiSugUcU5sHo-Jfn07g0Gq9q-8XitmcEkY_aem_v5Hz-4KQVxkKPGtDM8mjzA

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Anyone got a good results service for the Jim Clark ?

They're all over the place on eWRC... all I am sure of is Max McRae is leading at midday Saturday.

[archie106]

Hopefully the times will be corrected at service.

In other news a spectator got hit by a car in SS5. Hence why the stage was cancelled for the last 20-30 cars.

Shows why the AI spectator cameras are needed.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good win for Max McRae - great pace and no mistakes, so well-deserved and gets his Championship back on track.

[Steve Boyd]

Anyone got a good results service for the Jim Clark ?

They're all over the place on eWRC... all I am sure of is Max McRae is leading at midday Saturday.I was too busy working on the results of the Jim Clark (and Reivers) with the guys from NERS (https://nersresults.co.uk/) to come on here over the weekend and see that you were having issues. eWRC were taking their results from the joint Tynemouth & NERS web results page here https://results.djames.org.uk/results/index.php?e=750&simple. As we were having difficulties on the event getting automatic times from some of the clocks, the service may not have been as sharp as usual but we did the best we could under the circumstances.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I was too busy working on the results of the Jim Clark (and Reivers) with the guys from NERS (https://nersresults.co.uk/) to come on here over the weekend and see that you were having issues. eWRC were taking their results from the joint Tynemouth & NERS web results page here https://results.djames.org.uk/results/index.php?e=750&simple. As we were having difficulties on the event getting automatic times from some of the clocks, the service may not have been as sharp as usual but we did the best we could under the circumstances.

Thanks Steve. I dont mind if there are issues, it happens. I just wish there was some communication of this from one of the official social media feeds to explain. All I saw one one saying times were provisional.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

McErlean and Meeke at Donegal Rally...

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/mcerlean-joins-meeke-on-donegal-entry-list/

Also rumours of Will Creighton, possibly in his new Lancia Rally2 as a pre- Rally di Roma test.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nice piece on Max McRae's progress and coming back to Duns after last year...

https://dirtfish.com/rally/brc/the-signs-that-max-mcrae-can-be-the-real-deal/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPMjc1MjU0 NjkyNTk4Mjc5AAEedN1vXkExCedKMAYMcwfw8bfKwXN2xpxCOK ilAmsCLAWbjPC_Oo8DXWq3l_E_aem_aBnz1bB4U5i7WhfumqPZ eg

[Steve Boyd]

Thanks Steve. I dont mind if there are issues, it happens. I just wish there was some communication of this from one of the official social media feeds to explain. All I saw one one saying times were provisional.The guys from TCS & NERS used to keep up a dialogue on the British Rally Forum during events when that was popular site. I think they still monitor it but there's very little happening there these days. The event organisers would have been too busy dealing with the on-stage issues to be bothered about timing and results issues and the BRC people know better than to bother us while we're working! Next time I'm working from home on an event, I'll try to keep a look out for anything on here & comment as appropriate.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The guys from TCS & NERS used to keep up a dialogue on the British Rally Forum during events when that was popular site. I think they still monitor it but there's very little happening there these days. The event organisers would have been too busy dealing with the on-stage issues to be bothered about timing and results issues and the BRC people know better than to bother us while we're working! Next time I'm working from home on an event, I'll try to keep a look out for anything on here & comment as appropriate.

Cheers, much appreciated.

(It is pretty annoying when even the top 3 times arent right. BRC said on X that Pryce had had a spin and lost a chunk of time... but on eWRC it showed him fastest on that stage and Evans losing time !)

[satnav]

Here's a link to the entry list for the Donegal International Rally ;

https://app-cdn.sportity.com/97b13340-6ffc-4147-a0b9-62c4dde604fb/8e3f4a8c-5044-461a-9c5b-bc926868bdfc_Entry%20List%20for%20Online.pdf

[Fast Eddie WRC]

That's a mega entry and Creighton confirmed in the Lancia and Philip Allen there too !

[Fast Eddie WRC]

BBC News - Hills Ford Stages: Anger over rally through 'quiet' Shropshire - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g8y35v0j0o?at_medium=social&at_format=image&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_id=2CAF8896-5E5E-11F1-A7D3-FF81033A4BFF&at_link_type=web_link&at_ptr_name=facebook_page&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_link_origin=BBC_Shropshire&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPMjc1MjU0N jkyNTk4Mjc5AAEeBPaIPuDftqgFVAUI02fEY6XkR8gEvC-cLdgxmFbBK4VcvZhThjWMjSq013I_aem_UhMptVHLLgUj93xWZ siuBA&app-referrer=deep-link

[satnav]

That's a mega entry and Creighton confirmed in the Lancia and Philip Allen there too !

Unfortunately, the project to bring Lancia back to the Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally for this year’s event, with William Creighton behind the wheel, has not come together.

While it won’t be happening for Donegal 2026, we remain hopeful that a Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 will be seen competing on Irish stages in the not-too-distant future.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

British Rally Championship

Rali Ceredigion becomes BRC double header after Carlisle Stages cancellation

Rali Ceredigion will now offer two points-scoring opportunities for BRC crews after the cancellation of the Carlisle Stages, retaining six rounds in 2026.

https://britishrallychampionship.co.uk/rali-ceredigion-becomes-double-header-after-carlisle-stages-cancellation/

[archie106]

Elfyn Evans, Romet Jurgenson and Jon Armstrong have entered the Grampian in preparation for Rally Scotland 2027 according to DirtFish.

Seems like MSport are planning on staying in the WRC contrary to some online reports.

[Steve Boyd]

Elfyn Evans, Romet Jurgenson and Jon Armstrong have entered the Grampian in preparation for Rally Scotland 2027 according to DirtFish.

Seems like MSport are planning on staying in the WRC contrary to some online reports.Looking at the event web site, the regulations and entry forms aren't available yet. Seems like DirtFish might have jumped the gun a bit!

Maybe they should have stated that Evans, Jurgenson & Armstrong intend to enter when entries open.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

DF also state there could be several WRC2 Drivers coming to the Grampian as a preview for Scotland 2027.