Trade Stand Applications Open for the Hills Ford Stages Rally Festival at Weston Park
The organisers of the Hills Ford Stages Rally are inviting local businesses, independent traders and motorsport businesses to become part of an exciting new Rally Festival at Weston Park this September.
More than just a rally, the festival will combine thrilling motorsport with local businesses, education, road safety, family attractions and community engagement, creating a fantastic day out for visitors of all ages.
Taking place on Saturday 19 September, the Rally Festival will accompany the opening day of the Hills Ford Stages Rally, transforming Weston Park into a vibrant destination where spectators can enjoy spectacular rally action alongside a wide range of attractions.
The Rally Festival is about much more than motorsport. Alongside the afternoon stages, visitors will be able to browse trade stands, enjoy food and refreshments, explore local businesses, discover the rally’s PATHWAYS education zone highlighting careers within motorsport, and visit DriveWise – our road safety initiative designed to inspire safer, more responsible driving on today’s roads.
Local retailers, crafts, vehicle specialists, motorsport suppliers, charities and community organisations are all encouraged to apply for a trade stand and become part of the event from its very first year in Shropshire.
As this marks the rally’s first year in its new home, the organising team sees 2026 as the beginning of something much bigger.
Rather than focusing on commercial pitch fees, the aim is to create a welcoming festival that benefits exhibitors, visitors and the local community alike.
Trade stand pitches are available for a nominal contribution to reserve a space, making it an affordable opportunity for businesses of all sizes to showcase what they do while helping build a brand-new community event.
Steve, Media Officer for the Hills Ford Stages Rally, said:
“We’re building this together. Our aim isn’t to maximise pitch fees – it’s to create an event that local businesses are proud to be part of from the very beginning. It’s about giving back and building something for the local communities of Shropshire, not creating a new commercial venture.”
“We want Weston Park to become much more than a place to watch rally cars. Our vision is to create a fantastic day out where families, rally fans and visitors can find out about motorsport and how to get involved, discover local businesses, browse motorsport trade stands and experience one of Britain’s most exciting forms of motorsport.”
As a not-for-profit event, the organisers are committed to ensuring every contribution helps strengthen the rally and the community around it.
This year, every contribution will go directly towards a special thank-you prize draw for the volunteer marshals and officials whose dedication makes the event possible.
Looking ahead, all future proceeds from the Rally Festival will be reinvested into the rally to develop and grow the event, enhancing the visitor experience, supporting volunteers and helping establish the Hills Ford Stages Rally Festival as one of Shropshire’s premier annual events.
The Clerk of the Course, said:
“Without our marshals and officials there simply wouldn’t be a rally. They are the first to arrive, the last to leave, and they give up their weekends to help deliver a safe, enjoyable event for everyone. If we can recognise that commitment while inviting local businesses to become part of our first Rally Festival at Weston Park, then that’s something we’re incredibly proud to do.”
“This event has always been about bringing people together, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to achieve with the Rally show. We hope businesses, families and motorsport fans will join us in helping create something that can grow into one of Shropshire’s great annual events.”
Trade stand spaces are limited, and businesses interested in exhibiting are encouraged to register their interest as early as possible.
Whether you’re a local artisan, retailer, charity, classic car specialist, rally supplier or simply a business looking to reach a new audience, we’d love to welcome you to Weston Park and help build something special together.
**Please note: We have an exclusive supplier of food for the event, so we may not be able to help in this area.
Trade Stand Enquiries
media@hillsfordstages.co.uk
Join us as we build what we hope will become one of Shropshire’s great annual motorsport festivals.
- Published in Latest News
local-businesses-backing-hills-ford-stages-rally
One of the most encouraging aspects of the Hills Ford Stages Rally has been the incredible support we’ve received from businesses and organisations across the region.
From long-standing supporters to companies joining us for the first time, local businesses have stepped forward because they recognise the value the event can bring—not only as a major motorsport event, but as a platform for community engagement, education, tourism and regional promotion.
Companies such as Cartwrights Waste Disposal Services, Thomas Panels & Profiles, Lacey & Owen Architects, Cherry Rock, R.A. Swann Ltd, MAR Motorsport, Silverstone Rally School, Get Connected and, of course, our title sponsor Hills Ford, have all played a part in helping make this year’s event possible, with more businesses joining us all the time.
Some of these partnerships are relatively new, including the support of Cartwrights Waste Disposal Services and Thomas Panels & Profiles, and we look forward to sharing more about the organisations behind the event and the role they are playing in helping deliver the rally over the coming weeks. We’re also delighted to be welcoming additional supporters to the event, with further partnership announcements planned soon.
We’re equally grateful to our education partners, including Shrewsbury Colleges Group, Harper Adams University’s Rallying the Wright Way programme, the University of Gloucestershire’s Sport Journalism Department and Motorsport Jobs. Together, they share our vision of using the rally to inspire young people, promote careers in motorsport, media and engineering, and create opportunities that extend far beyond the rally weekend itself.
What makes this support particularly special is that many of these organisations are involved not because of immediate commercial return, but because they believe in what the event can achieve for the wider community. They understand the value of creating opportunities, supporting volunteers, promoting the region and inspiring the next generation.
The Hills Ford Stages is organised by volunteers, supported by volunteers and increasingly championed by businesses, education providers and community partners who share a common vision of delivering something that benefits the wider region.
Every sponsor and partner, regardless of size, is helping us deliver more than a rally. They are helping create opportunities, experiences and lasting memories while supporting community projects, educational initiatives, road safety programmes and grassroots motorsport.
To every business, organisation and educational institution that has supported us this year—thank you. Your belief in the event means far more than a logo on a programme or a banner on a stage. You are helping create something that will continue to benefit local communities long after the rally cars have gone home.
Please support the businesses and organisations that support your rally.
HillsFordStages #SupportingLocalBusiness #CommunityPartnerships #Shropshire
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Building Local Partnerships Ahead of Hills Ford Stages 2026″
The organising team of The Hills Ford Stages is inviting hotels, B&Bs, Self Catering, pubs, restaurants and other hospitality providers across Shropshire to get in touch ahead of this year’s event on 19–20 September 2026.
The rally weekend is expected to bring thousands of competitors, officials, media crews and spectators into the county, many of whom will be travelling from outside the region or from overseas. As a result, there will be significant demand for local accommodation, food and drink throughout the event.
To support local businesses and help visitors find the services they need, we will be producing a free Rally Guide for all accredited teams, officials and partners. Any hospitality business that contacts us will have their details included at no cost.
This is an excellent opportunity to showcase Shropshire’s warm welcome.
The organisers said:
“One of the great strengths of the Hills Ford Stages is the opportunity it provides to showcase everything that Shropshire has to offer. Many visitors will be spending several days in the county, and we’d encourage local accommodation providers, pubs, restaurants and hospitality businesses to get in touch so that we can help direct visitors their way.
This initiative forms part of the rally’s wider Get Involved and PATHWAYS programmes, connecting local businesses and communities with opportunities linked to the event. Further initiatives will be announced over the coming weeks
Hospitality providers wishing to be included should contact the organising team via secretary@hillsfordstages.co.uk
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Hills Ford Stages Rally Invites Local Community Groups to Apply for Support Ahead of 2026 Event
Community groups, charities and parish councils across areas hosting the 2026 Hills Ford Stages Rally are being encouraged to get in touch with organisers to explore opportunities for support, fundraising and charitable donations.
Now the initial consultation and introductory period with residents and businesses has been completed, organisers would like to remind local communities that the engagement and support opportunities remain an important part of the event’s ongoing commitment to the region.
One of the key ways the rally supports local communities is through spectator area fundraising. Safe spectator locations are delivered in line with Motorsport UK requirements, with local groups given the opportunity to operate spectator car parks. Parking income generated at these sites is returned directly to local community groups, helping fund local projects and initiatives.
As in previous years, we would like to invite Parish councils, charities, sports clubs and community organisations to come forward to discuss how they may benefit from support linked to the 2026 event.
Event Media Officer Steve said:
“Now that the consultation period is finished, we are able to let the community know, that these opportunities exist and that we’re here to have those conversations. The rally brings real benefits to the region, and we want to make sure those are shared as widely as possible.”
Clerk of the Course Dan added:
“As a not-for-profit event, giving back to the communities that support us is really important. We would encourage any parish or community group with a project or initiative to get in touch and speak to us about what might be possible.”
Further details will be shared through parish councils and the rally’s official communication channels.
For further information, please contact the Communities & Business Liaison team: info@hillsfordstages.co.uk
- Published in Latest News