Shropshire Council Approves 2026 Hills Ford Stages Rally
The organising team of The Hills Ford Stages welcomes yesterday’s decision by Shropshire Council’s Cabinet to grant the necessary Motor Race Order and Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) required for the 2026 event to proceed.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Cabinet for taking a balanced, democratic approach that carefully considered all perspectives throughout the process.
We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the many residents, communities and motorsport supporters who have shown unwavering encouragement over recent weeks. Your messages, comments and public support have been invaluable.
We will continue to work with those who have raised concerns or objections regarding the event and seek suitable mitigation measures where possible and proportionate.
Our focus now turns to delivering an event that Shropshire can be proud of – a top-class closed-road rally that showcases the sport at its best while bringing meaningful benefits and opportunities to the local communities who host and support it.
We invite everyone to follow our official channels as we move into the next phase of planning. We have plenty of exciting updates to share via our website and Facebook page as we continue building the next chapter of The Hills Ford Stages.
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Damian Cole & Get Connected Backs 2026 Hills Ford Stages
Damian Cole is one of the most successful and respected competitors in UK asphalt rallying.
Over three decades, the South Wales driver has been at the forefront of the sport in a range of state-of-the-art rally cars and has kept fellow competitors on their toes and fans thoroughly entertained.
As he marks 30 years of rallying, Damian can reflect on success in Darrians, Mitsubishis, Toyotas, Subarus, Hyundais, Skodas, a raft of Fords and, more recently, his Citroen C3 Rally2, which is prepared almost within sight of some of the roads set to be used on the Hills Ford Stages.
Cole has battled with some of the best rising stars in the sport and is a record-setting (5 consecutive years) six-time winner of the Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship, the headline championship for the Hills Ford Stages. He still loves his rallying!
As well as being a great competitor, Damian is a long time ambassador for rallying. He’s worked hard to advance safety issues for competitors and has contributed significantly to a number of events through sponsorship from his Get Connected business. He’s recently become title sponsor of the Mewla Rally on Epynt, which he will acknowledge is his favourite venue.
The Hills Ford Stages just missed out on capturing him as a major sponsor for this year’s rally. However, Damian approached the HFS management team at the end of 2025 to discuss offering support for this year’s event. That’s a huge compliment to the team, as Damian has a great eye for detail and is an astute businessman. So, to be approached by him with the offer of support gives great recognition to the work that the team has put in over the years.
“We’re thrilled to have the support of Damian and Get Connected as a Stage Sponsor for 2026,” said Clerk of the Course, Dan, “Damian’s passion for the sport, both as a competitor and as a supporter, mirrors the values we build into every aspect of this event. We look forward to working closely with him and the Get Connected team in the months ahead.”
We’re currently discussing lots of ideas with Damian for Get Connected’s engagement with the Hills Ford Stages, and we look forward to updating you soon about the support and the work we will be doing with Get Connected through the year.
Don’t forget that Get Connected has mobile phone stores across Wales, The Midlands and the South West, including several in the rally’s home county of Shropshire.
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• Damian Cole is a highly respected figure in UK rallying, combining a long and successful competition career with more than three decades of business leadership. • In 1992, Damian founded Oasis Mobile Phones from his spare bedroom. The business was rebranded as Get Connected in 2001 and has since grown into one of the UK’s leading independent mobile phone retailers. • Under Damian’s leadership, Get Connected expanded from a home-based operation to a nationwide business, operating multiple high street stores alongside a dedicated call centre in Blackwood and a corporate sales team based in Abergavenny. • Get Connected works with all major UK mobile network providers, supporting both consumer and corporate customers across Wales and England. • Damian and Get Connected have a long-standing involvement in motorsport, including the sponsorship of Damian Cole and his co-drivers, as well as support for events that generate investment, tourism and wider visibility for regional communities.
HAVE A LOOK AT THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA:
• Getconnected.com
• LinkedIn
• Facebook- Published in Latest News
When Rally Touches Local People
The Hills Ford Stages Rally is back, and Shrewsbury-based Lacey & Owen Architectural Services are joining as a sponsor, helping engage the local community.
One of the most rewarding parts of organising the Hills Ford Stages Rally is when the event reaches beyond motorsport and connects with local people. That’s exactly what happened when Shrewsbury-based Lacey & Owen Architectural Services reached out, becoming one of the latest sponsors for 2026.
Managing Director Mark Owen first contacted the team towards the end of 2025, shortly after news of the rally’s move into Shropshire. The call came completely out of the blue, and those are the conversations that really matter. When a locally rooted, non-motorsport business reaches out simply because they share a passion for the rally, it means a great deal to the organisers.
Mark’s enthusiasm aligns perfectly with the team’s ambition to build meaningful engagement with the people and businesses of Shrewsbury and the wider county. As the event grows, support like this plays a vital role in shaping how the rally connects with its host communities and benefits the region.
The organisers are now working with Lacey & Owen to explore how their support can best fit within the rally’s wider outreach — whether that’s backing the Pathways and Get Involved programmes with local colleges and universities, or potentially sponsoring a stage. With so much happening behind the scenes, and Mark fully focused on running his practice, the team felt now was the right time to officially welcome them on board.
Mark Said. “Rallying has always been a sport that I follow closely, I love the idea of rallying and the energy it brings. When I heard the news that the Hills Ford Stages where relocating to Shropshire it felt like a fantastic way to get involved in the event, and help provide a spectacle for the community I live and work in.”
Lacey & Owen are proudly based in the heart of Shrewsbury town centre, reinforcing the rally’s growing local footprint.
HAVE A LOOK AT THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA:
• Laceyandowen.co.uk
• Instagram
• Facebook
About Lacey & Owen Architectural Services
Founded in 2010 by Stuart Lacey and Mark Owen (BSc Hons, MCIAT), Lacey & Owen Architectural Services Ltd is a chartered practice delivering creative, cost-effective design solutions across residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Following Stuart’s retirement in 2019, Mark now leads the practice as sole director, supported by a skilled and experienced team.
The practice focuses on adding real value for clients through modern, affordable design and construction methods, while maintaining the highest professional standards as chartered members of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT). Specialising in planning and building control application, Lacey & Owen work with private individuals, construction companies and other architects, to provide high quality designs and sensible advice for your construction project.
With offices in Shropshire and Derbyshire, the practice delivers projects nationwide, from one-off self-build homes and extensions to housing developments, community buildings, and commercial units, offering an accessible, holistic service tailored to each client’s brief.
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Eight Championships Confirmed for Hills Ford Stages 2026
The Hills Ford Stages continues to attract strong national and regional backing, with eight championships confirming their support for the 2026 event.
The breadth of championships reflects both the confidence placed in the rally and its appeal across a wide range of competitors, from modern national contenders to historic and club-level entries.
Among those confirmed is the Protyre Motorsport UK National Asphalt Championship, which will once again see the Hills Ford Stages play a key role in the title fight.
Paul Wakely, Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship Co-ordinator, said:
“We’re greatly looking forward to this year’s Hills Ford Stages, as it will bring a wonderful new challenge for competitors and a fitting finale to the Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship. It has always been an extremely popular event with our contenders, and with titles up for grabs it’s guaranteed to be an exciting championship showdown.”
Historic competitors will also be well represented, with the HRCR Stage Masters Championship, Roger Albert Clark Historic Asphalt Championship, HRCR Mini Cup, and HRCR Category 1 Championship all confirmed.
From the HRCR Stage Masters perspective, organisers commented:
“We are so pleased that the Hills Ford Stages is back for 2026. Our competitors simply loved it last time — it’s a great challenge while retaining a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.”
The Roger Albert Clark Historic Asphalt Championship will see the Hills Ford Stages host the finale of its inaugural season.
Championship manager Colin Heppenstall said:
“We’re delighted to be finishing the first season of our new historic asphalt championship on the Hills Ford Stages. It looks like being a very successful event and is well placed for lots of competitors. Congratulations to the organising team for rebuilding the rally in a new region — we can’t wait.”
Strong regional championship support comes from the JD Tyres Welsh Tarmac Championship, which will contest the Hills Ford Stages as a double-header event, offering two points-scoring opportunities.
Rob Baldwin, Welsh Association of Motor Clubs Secretary, said:
“Competitors are looking forward to the challenge of a rally set in an area not previously used, with the event forming a double-header and providing two valuable points-scoring opportunities.”
The popular ANWCC Mini Challenge also returns, continuing to provide an accessible route into stage rallying.
Dave V Thomas, Championships Manager, commented:
“ANWCC is pleased and amazed by the enthusiasm from competitors and organisers for the Mini Rally Challenge. It’s an excellent way to get into stage rallying at an affordable level and we see it going from strength to strength.”
Completing the line-up are the TCS Plant Rally Challenge and Celtic Micra Challenge, both welcoming the opportunity to be part of the event.
A spokesperson for the championships said:
“We are delighted to be part of the exciting plans for the 2026 Hills Ford Stages and applaud the forward-thinking approach being taken, recognising the benefits the event will bring to the region.”
Dan, Clerk of the Course for the Hills Ford Stages, said:
“Having eight championships supporting the 2026 event is a real endorsement of the rally’s rebuild. It reflects the confidence competitors and officials have in the event, and we’re focused on delivering a challenging and rewarding rally for everyone involved.
Championships
Protyre MSUK National Asphalt Championship
HRCR Stage Masters Championship
Roger Albert Clark Historic Asphalt Championship
HRCR Mini Cup
HRCR Cat 1 Championship
JD Tyres Welsh Tarmac Championship
ANWCC Mini challenge
TCS Plant Championship and Celtic Micra Challenge
The Hills Ford Stages organising team expects further announcements in due course as preparations for the 2026 event continue.
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From Local Community to World Championship | Hills Ford & Jon Armstrong
For decades, Hills Ford has been a familiar name across Worcestershire, not only as a major local employer but as a family-run business with a long-standing commitment to people, sport and the wider community. From supporting local charities and individuals to backing grassroots and regional motorsport, the dealership has built a reputation for investing well beyond its showroom doors. Rallying, in particular, has remained one of the most visible and enduring expressions of that commitment.
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A worcestershire based family business with decades of involvement in rallying and community support has extended its backing to the world stage, supporting Irish driver Jon Armstrong as he prepares for his first full FIA World Rally Championship season.
For decades, Hills Ford has been a familiar name across the region, not just as a major local employer, but as a business with a consistent record of supporting people, sport and community life well beyond its showroom doors.
From backing local charities and individuals, to supporting grassroots and regional sport, the family run Ford dealership has built a reputation for giving back to the area it serves. Motorsport, however, has long been one of the most visible expressions of that commitment.
The Hill family’s involvement in rallying stretches back more than half a century, be that competing, car preparation or sponsorship in the sport. Their passion has seen Hills prepared cars compete on British stages, on track and even attracted notable visitors — including a young Ayrton Senna, who is remembered as having visited the family during his early career.
Their passions and support continues today through the likes of the Hills Ford Stages Rally, a premier Closed Road Rally that brings the festival of national rallying in from no accessible to public stages and the forests and to local communities, drawing competitors, teams and spectators and tourism, providing economic and social benefits locally.
That same long-term approach of supporting motorsport and people is extending to the world stage.
Hills Ford has announced its backing of Irish rally driver Jon Armstrong as he prepares for his first full season in the FIA World Rally Championship in 2026, competing with M-Sport Ford. Armstrong’s WRC campaign is supported by the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and marks a significant milestone in a career built steadily through junior and European competition.
For Hills Ford the move reflects a familiar pattern, backing individuals as they progress, with an emphasis on development rather than short-term gains.
Armstrong has established himself as one of rallying’s most consistent performers of recent years. A two-time runner-up in the FIA Junior World Rally Championship, he also claimed the 2018 WRC eSports title and went on to secure multiple wins and podium finishes across Europe. In 2025, he finished second overall in the European Rally Championship. A Hard fought championship that attracts some of the worlds best drivers and teams and earning his opportunity to step up to rallying’s highest level.
Armstrong will work closely with Hills Ford throughout the 2026 season, using a range of Ford vehicles and taking part in activities away from the stages alongside his competitive programme. so keep an eye out for him as he may be attending some activities local through the year.
For Hills Ford, the support of a driver reaching the pinnacle of world rallying sits comfortably alongside its continued investment closer to home. From regional events and initiatives to its ongoing role in the Hills Ford Stages.
Speaking about the announcement, Hills Ford director Tim Hill said “Armstrong’s journey through the sport reflected the values the business has long supported, describing his progression as the result of persistence and earned opportunity rather than overnight success.
Armstrong, meanwhile, welcomed the backing as he prepares for the biggest season of his career, noting the importance of having support from a business with a genuine understanding of rallying and its demands.
As preparations build towards the 2026 season, Hills Ford’s involvement at both local and at an international level offers a clear example of how a regional businesses can play a meaningful role in sport and the community — not only by supporting elite competition, but by sustaining the pathways and events that connect world-class motorsport back to the communities where it all begins. There are few businesses that or focused on support over and above just trying to sell cars.
The company are also opening a new site this year in Worcestershire adding job opportunities to the list too
For the latest updates, follow us on social media – facebook.com | Instagram | Youtube
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Owen Motoring Club Supporting the Hills Ford Stages 2026
Cheltenham Motor Club is pleased to welcome Owen Motoring Club as part of the Hills Ford Stages team for 2026. With a history spanning more than six decades, OMC is a well-established and respected motor club, recognised for its involvement across a wide range of motorsport disciplines and its continued support of events at both club and national level.
As the rally moves into new areas in 2026, the involvement of experienced motor clubs is essential. Owen Motoring Club brings valuable knowledge in event organisation, marshalling and competitor support, helping ensure the Hills Ford Stages runs safely, efficiently and to a high standard. Their involvement reflects the teamwork and collaboration that sit at the heart of the event, with clubs working together behind the scenes to deliver a successful closed-road rally.
Alongside their event support, OMC continues to invest in the future of motorsport through the relaunch of its Academy Scheme for 2026. The initiative is aimed at supporting members aged 25 and under who are looking to take their first steps into motorsport, either as competitors or as volunteers such as marshals and officials. Successful applicants can receive financial support across the season. Further information is available on the Owen Motoring Club website: https://owenmotoringclub.co.uk/news/
Owen Motoring Club joins a growing group of clubs supporting the Hills Ford Stages in 2026, each playing a vital role in helping deliver a professional, welcoming and community-driven motorsport event.
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Images by
Owen Motoring Club.
Footage by
Pescara Productions
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Hills Ford Stages Rally Begins Resident & Business Liaison
Preparations for the 2026 Hills Ford Stages Rally are entering a key phase, with resident and business liaison set to begin across Shropshire in the coming days. The event, taking place on 19–20 September 2026 and featuring a major ceremonial start in Shrewsbury, is expected to attract competitors, spectators, and media attention from across the UK.
Community liaison teams will begin visiting households, farms and businesses situated on or close to the planned closed-road stages. Their role is to provide early information, listen to concerns and ensure a smooth lead-up to one of Shropshire’s major motorsport events in 2026.
Most importantly; The organisers are inviting parish councils and community groups in the areas hosting the rally to apply for charitable donations, aimed at supporting local projects, community facilities and initiatives.
Event Media Officer said:
“We want people to know what the rally brings to the region and to feel involved in the build-up within their own communities. The event brings a lot of positives to Shropshire and Shrewsbury, and we’re working to make sure those benefits are maximised for everyone.”
Clerk of the Course Dan Lister added:
“Supporting residents and businesses throughout the build-up to the rally is a priority for us. Clear communication is at the heart of what we do. As a not-for-profit event, giving back to the region is really important — we value the communities that host us, and we want this rally to be something the whole area can feel part of.”
Further updates on liaison activity, the charitable donation process and wider community engagement plans will be released through parish councils and the rally’s official channels over the coming weeks.
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Ludlow Castle Motor Club Joins Hills Ford Stages Rally
Cheltenham Motor Club is delighted to welcome Ludlow Castle Motor Club as a key supporter of the Hills Ford Stages Rally as the event moves into Shropshire for 2025. The LCMC are the first of a number of clubs they are talking, to join the rally’s team. Their local knowledge and behind-the-scenes support will play a vital role in ensuring the rally runs smoothly and safely in their area.
But their involvement is about more than rallying—it’s part of the wider “Get Involved” programme, encouraging people of all ages to discover the opportunities that come with joining a local motor club.
“Having Ludlow Castle Motor Club join us as we bring the Hills Ford Stages Rally to Shropshire is a huge boost,” said the Media Officer for the Hills Ford Stages Rally. “It’s not just about running a rally—it’s about showing people that clubs are communities where anyone can belong. Motorsport brings together people of all ages and backgrounds, and being part of a club gives you a reason to get out, meet new friends, and feel part of something bigger. That’s what our Get Involved programme is all about—whether you want to race, volunteer, or simply enjoy the social side, there’s a place for you.”
Motorsport is about far more than competition. Local clubs create communities, foster friendships, and give people a sense of belonging. From children dreaming of F1 to older enthusiasts seeking a fun hobby, joining a club opens doors to new experiences, new friends, and a reason to get out of the house.
Ludlow Castle Motor Club makes joining easy and affordable, with membership starting at just £15 a year. The club hosts a wide variety of activities, from the Classic Tour, which recently brought together over 50 cars for a 120-mile route through the Shropshire countryside, to the annual Soap Box Derby, raising funds for local charities.
And you don’t need to drive competitively to get close to the action. Marshalling is one of the best ways to be part of motorsport—helping run stages, keeping events safe, and enjoying one of the best views in the house. UK marshals are highly trained and in demand around the world.
“We’re proud to be supporting the Hills Ford Stages Rally as it comes to Shropshire,” said Matt, Ludlow Castle Motor Club’s Media Officer and Social Secretary. “Our club has always been about bringing people together, whether through classic tours, social events, or volunteering at rallies. Working with Cheltenham Motor Club and Motorsport UK on this event is a great opportunity to showcase what local clubs can do, and we hope it inspires more people in our area to get involved.”
“The support from Ludlow Castle Motor Club has already been invaluable as we prepare to run the Hills Ford Stages Rally in Shropshire,” said Dan, Clerk of the Course. “Their local knowledge and enthusiasm make a real difference, and it shows the strength of the motor club network when clubs come together to deliver an event. We’re excited to be working alongside them and to welcome competitors, officials, and fans to this year’s rally.”
Through “Get Involved: Why Join Your Local Club”, Cheltenham Motor Club and Ludlow Castle Motor Club are showing that there’s a place for everyone in motorsport—whether racing, volunteering, or simply enjoying the social side. A huge thank you to Ludlow Castle Motor Club for helping make the Hills Ford Stages Rally a reality in Shropshire and for joining the drive to inspire people to get out, join in, and experience everything motorsport has to offer.
- Published in Latest News
The 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship
We’re pleased to confirm that the Hills Ford Stages will once again feature on the 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship calendar.
Clerk of the Course Dan and Cheltenham Motor Club Chairman said: “It’s great to see the Hills Ford Stages rounding off the 2026 Protyre Asphalt season. We’re looking forward to welcoming competitors and fans to Shropshire for another challenging and memorable finale.”
Magnificent seven-round 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship calendar unveiled
The 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship is set for a magnificent seven-round showdown spanning England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and the Isle of Man – with the calendar featuring familiar favourites (some with new dates, new routes and/or new formats) and an exciting brand-new event location to guarantee a fresh and exhilarating challenge for every competitor.
The UK’s premier sealed-surface series is once again run and promoted by the BTRDA and retains its inclusive class structure, designed to welcome the greatest variety of cars and drivers of all abilities who want to challenge themselves on some of Britain’s best asphalt stages.
Protyre Motorsport – the largest UK supplier of Pirelli, Michelin and Hoosier motorsport tyres – proudly continues as the championship’s title sponsor for an unprecedented ninth consecutive season.
The championship format sees the best five scores from seven rallies count towards the end-of-season points tally, with no double-header rounds.
The 2026 Protyre Asphalt season launches into action on 21/22 February with the East Riding Stages Rally. The BTRDA series will hold top billing at the Beverley & District Motor Club-organised event, which is based in the centre of Beverley and features fantastic closed road stages across East Yorkshire. New for 2026 are four Saturday evening stages run in the dark over the Yorkshire Wolds just to the west of Beverley, providing an extra 18 stage miles and further spectating opportunities, and the remaining 10 stages run in daylight on the Sunday.
Round 2 is the classic Manx Rally on 8/9 May, which returns to its traditional spring date. Organised by Manx Auto Sport, the iconic Isle of Man closed road stages annually attract one of the biggest Protyre Asphalt entries of the season. With superb ferry and accommodation deals, plus significant stage miles, the Manx Rally offers competitors excellent value.
The series then moves to Scotland for Round 3 and the Borders Competitions Jim Clark Rally (22/23 May). The Duns-based event will have a new format next year, with 35 stage miles / four stages on Friday evening and 65 stage miles / six stages on Saturday. To help minimise cost and time, registered Protyre Asphalt competitors will have the option to either recce all the stages on the Friday (whilst their cars are being scrutineered) and be ready to start the event later the same day, or recce earlier in the week and do the shakedown stage on Friday.
Round 4 keeps the series in Scotland for the Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally on 19/20 June. The Mull Car Club-organised event ran as a closed road stage rally for the first time in 2021 and has been on the Protyre Asphalt calendar every year since 2022, with picturesque closed road stages held in the stunning Argyll and Bute region.
The focus shifts next to Wales for Round 5 and the Tour of Epynt on 25/26 July. The Port Talbot Motor Club-organised event hosted the final round in 2025, and next year a new date sees it run in the height of summer. There are few more spectacular motorsport venues than Mynydd Epynt on a sunny day, with a promise of fast and sizzling action over the famous rollercoaster military range roads above Sennybridge.
There is also a new date for the penultimate Round 6, with the Down Rally moving from mid-July to 22 August. The Rathfriland Motor Club-organised event is famous for its incredible Northern Ireland closed road stages, including the legendary Hamilton’s Folly, and they’ll play a pivotal role in determining the overall and class titles next year.
The seventh and final round of the series will be the Hills Ford Stages on 19/20 September. This will be a brand-new challenge, as Cheltenham Motor Club moves the event to the Shrewsbury area, with stages in the grounds of historic private estates and through the stunning Shropshire Hills.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship calendar, as it visits all corners of the United Kingdom and contains some of the very best closed road stages available,” says Paul Wakely, Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship Co-ordinator.
“We’ve prioritised the feedback received from our competitors and worked hard to minimise costs where possible. We truly believe this calendar represents a great cost-effective and gripping challenge for those crews who want to compete in the best national asphalt rallies the UK has to offer.
“Kicking off with top billing on the East Riding Stages Rally is a fantastic start, and finishing the year with a brand-new Shropshire-based Hills Ford Stages guarantees a thrilling conclusion. The overall and class champions will have certainly earned their Protyre Asphalt titles!”
“We are delighted to continue our title sponsorship of the Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship into a ninth consecutive year, and very much look forward to another action-packed season of rallying,” added Shaun Chetwyn, Protyre Motorsport Manager.
“The 2026 calendar has a good geographical spread of events, with some of the best national asphalt rallies in the UK offering competitors the chance to compete on some of the most iconic roads.
“Protyre Motorsport will once again be on every event to give competitors an unrivalled tyre support package, and we look forward to meeting old and new friends throughout what is guaranteed to be a thrilling 2026 season.”
The 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship Regulations will be published in December.
For more information on the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship, please go to asphaltrallying.com.
2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship
21/22 February….East Riding Stages Rally
8/9 May….Manx Rally
22/23 May….Borders Competitions Jim Clark Rally
19/20 June….Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally
25/26 July….Tour of Epynt
22 August….Down Rally
19/20 September….Hills Ford Stages
- Published in Latest News
Cheltenham Motor Club Awarded MSUK Sustainability Accreditation
Cheltenham Motor Club is proud to announce that it has been awarded Motorsport UK’s Sustainability Accreditation, recognising its ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation in motorsport event management.
This national accreditation forms part of Motorsport UK’s Environmental Sustainability Programme, which supports clubs and organisers in reducing environmental impact while promoting positive change across the sport.
The award reflects the Club’s continuous efforts to ensure that the Hills Ford Stages Rally remains one of the most sustainable events on the UK rally calendar. Behind the scenes, the organising team has implemented a range of new practices to significantly reduce the rally’s carbon footprint — including the minimisation of printed materials, the streamlining of logistics, and the adoption of digital systems across event operations.
Beyond these operational improvements, Cheltenham Motor Club has also taken proactive steps to enhance the local environment. Working in partnership with community groups, the rally supports local planting and rewilding initiatives, helping to restore biodiversity and create a lasting positive legacy in the region.
“We’re absolutely delighted to receive this recognition from Motorsport UK,” said Dan, Clerk of the Course for the Hills Ford Stages Rally. “Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and we’re committed to leading by example — showing that motorsport can be both thrilling and environmentally conscious.”
Motorsport UK also congratulated the Club on the achievement, commenting:
“The panel was very pleased to approve Cheltenham Motor Club’s application for Sustainability Accreditation. It’s clear a great deal of work has gone into this, and we’re delighted to confirm that both the Club and the Hills Ford Stages Rally are now fully compliant with the Motorsport UK Sustainable Rally Charter. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Cheltenham Motor Club extends its thanks to all volunteers, partners, and supporters who continue to help make the Hills Ford Stages Rally a benchmark for sustainable motorsport.
- Published in Latest News