The Severn Valley Stages made a highly anticipated return to the British rallying calendar, delivering a dramatic and memorable opening round of the 2026 Motorsport UK British Rally Championship. After a year’s absence due to storm damage, the event’s comeback was met with a strong entry list of almost 120 crews and an equally enthusiastic response from fans, who lined the forests of mid-Wales in large numbers to welcome it back.
Based in Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells, the rally once again centred around some of the most iconic stages in the country, including Sarnau, Myherin and Tarenig. The weekend began with a ceremonial start at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells on Friday evening, where spectators were able to get up close to the cars and crews before the competitive action began. That atmosphere carried into Saturday, where crews faced seven stages covering more than 50 competitive miles, culminating in a punishing 18.65-mile test through the Myherin complex to close the rally.
The challenge was intensified by ever-changing weather conditions. What began with spells of sunshine quickly evolved into a mix of snow, hail and persistent rain, leaving surfaces slippery and unpredictable. Grip levels varied from stage to stage and even corner to corner, demanding complete concentration and adaptability from crews throughout the day.
At the front of the field, Osian Pryce and co-driver James Morgan produced a measured and ultimately dominant performance on their first competitive outing in the Castrol MEM Rally Team Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Pryce made an immediate impression by setting the fastest time on the opening stage, signalling both his intent and his rapid adaptation to the new machinery. From that point on, he was never headed, controlling the rally while carefully balancing speed with consistency.
Despite the conditions and the pressure from behind, Pryce topped six of the seven stages. A slow puncture in Myherin on the third test prevented a clean sweep of fastest times, but it did little to derail his progress. He held a narrow 3.4-second lead at the midday service halt, before extending that margin during the afternoon loop as his confidence in the car grew. By the time crews returned to Myherin for the final stage, Pryce had established a 9.3-second advantage, which he consolidated with a clean and committed run to secure victory by 19 seconds.
Reflecting on the result, Pryce expressed both satisfaction and optimism for the season ahead. “Honestly, I’m very happy. It’s so good to be back. James and the team have done a fantastic job getting me comfortable in the car, and to set a fastest time first time out is really encouraging,” he said. He also highlighted the process of adapting to the Toyota, noting that it required a different approach to his previous cars, but that the feeling improved stage by stage. “By the final stage, everything clicked and we could really push. It’s the perfect way to start the championship.”
The fight behind him was equally compelling, with fellow Welshman Meirion Evans, co-driven by Dale Furniss, ensuring Pryce could not afford to relax at any point. Driving an identical Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 as part of the same team, Evans arrived in strong form and demonstrated it throughout the day, regularly matching Pryce’s pace and keeping the gap within touching distance. The pair traded times across multiple stages, providing one of the highlights of the rally and underlining the competitiveness at the front of the BRC field. Although Evans ultimately had to settle for second place, his performance secured a one-two finish for the Castrol MEM Rally Team and valuable early points in the championship battle.
Garry Pearson and Hannah McKillop completed the podium in their Ford Fiesta Rally2, leading the M-Sport Ford charge. Their rally was not without drama, having recovered from an early spin, but they showed strong pace and determination to climb back into contention and secure a well-earned third place.
Just behind, Max McRae delivered one of the standout drives of the event. On his debut at the Severn Valley Stages, the 21-year-old, co-driven by Cameron Fair, demonstrated impressive speed in his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 and was firmly in the mix for a podium position. A puncture on the fourth stage cost him valuable time, ultimately dropping him to fourth overall, but his performance still marked him as a driver to watch as the season progresses.
Garry Pearson & Hannah McKillop (Left) Max McRae & Cameron Fair (Right) | John Jackson
Scott MacBeth, alongside Ross Whittock, rounded out the top five in their Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. The Scottish Rally Championship front-runner adapted well to the Welsh gravel stages and maintained a consistent pace throughout the day to secure a strong finish against tough opposition.
Further down the order, the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship competitors produced their own closely fought battles. Liam Clark and Michael Gilbey emerged as the leading Welsh contenders, taking the Interclub category win and maximum championship points with a composed and effective drive in their Fiesta Rally2. Their performance provides a solid foundation as the Welsh series begins to take shape over the coming rounds.
The Historic category once again delivered a crowd-pleasing spectacle, with rear-wheel-drive machinery tackling the same demanding conditions. Marty McCormack and co-driver Barney Mitchell were at the centre of the action, guiding their BMW M3 E30 to victory and securing back-to-back wins in the British Historic Rally Championship. They were pushed throughout by fellow Irishman Damian Tourish, co-driven by Kevin Duggan in a Ford Escort, with the pair engaging in a competitive and entertaining battle that reflected the depth of the historic field.
Organised by Midland Manor Motor Club, the event’s return was widely regarded as a success, both in terms of competition and atmosphere. The ceremonial start and finish in Llandrindod Wells once again proved a focal point for fans and competitors, while the forests of mid-Wales delivered the kind of challenging and varied conditions that have long defined the rally.
For Pryce, the victory represents an ideal start to his campaign for a second British Rally Championship title, combining speed, control and a clear understanding of the conditions. For the championship as a whole, the Severn Valley Stages provided exactly what a season opener should: close competition, unpredictable elements and a strong indication that the 2026 season is set to be fiercely contested.
