Touzel Triumphs in Thrilling Season Opener at 2026 East Riding Stages

The 2026 East Riding Stages Rally, organised by the Beverley & District Motor Club, once again proved why it has become one of the most highly anticipated fixtures on the British closed-road-calendar. Held over 21-22 February in and round the historic market town of Beverley, the event formed the opening round of the 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship and attracted a capacity entry packed with Rally2 machinery, seasoned asphalt specialists and ambitious young crews eager to make an early-season statement.

The weekend began with a ceremonial start in the shadow of Beverley's medieval North Bar, where crews were flagged away in front of large crowds before heading into the first competitive miles. The compact geography of the event - with stages woven through the East Yorkshire countryside and service based close to the town center - continues to be one of its great strengths. Spectators were able to move between vantage points and the central FanZone with ease, creating a constant buzz of activity throughout the rally.

Saturday evening's competitive action introduced the added challenge of darkness, with crews immediately forced to balance outright pace with the caution demanded by cold February conditions. Although the roads were largely dry, shaded sections and junctions carried residual dampness and debris dragged onto the racing line. As ever on these narrow, hedge-lined lanes, precision under braking and absolute commitment over blind crests were essential.

Sunday's full itinerary saw crews tackle a demanding schedule of stages totalling more than 70 competitive miles. The route combined flowing rural straights with technical ninety-degree junctions and rhythm sections where the smallest hesitation could cost seconds. With margins so tight at this level of competition, tyre strategy and confidence in pace notes proved decisive factors as the rally unfolded.

At the front, the battles for outright honours quickly developed into and intense duel. Stage times throughout the morning loop were separated by mere seconds, with positions inside the top five constantly shifting as crews traded blows. It was Sam Touzel and co-driver Max Freeman who ultimately delivers the most complete performance of the weekend. Combining speed with remarkable consistency, they edged ahead during the middle loop and managed their advantage over the final tests to secure overall victory.

Finishing in a strong second place were James Ford and Neil Shanks, who remained firmly in contention throughout and kept the pressure on the leaders until closing stages. Rounding out the podium in third were Matt Hirst and Declan Dear, their measured yep rapid performance underlining their growing reputation on asphalt.

Just outside the top three, Ollie Mellors and Ian Windress claimed fourth overall after a competitive run that included several top-three stage times. Completing the top five were former event winners Kevin Procter and Rob Fagg, whose experience on closed-road asphalt again proved invaluable.

Sixth overall and first in Class 3 went to Lee Edwards and Sam Spencer, an impressive results against strong opposition in one of the rally's most competitive categories. Further down the leaderboard, notable top-ten finishes were secured by Brad Cole and Jamie Vaughan, Ian Forgan and Callum Young, Roger Duckworth with Alun Cook, and Rob Swann alongside Tom Woodburn, each delivering committed drives on demanding roads.

Behind the headline results lay a broader story of depth and resilience. With a start list running deep into the field and a strong finish rate despite the rally's intensity, the 2026 edition once again demonstrated the strength of British asphalt rallying. Mechanical reliability, disciplined service work and the ever-present skill of volunteer marshals all contributed to a smoothly run event.

Equally important was the atmosphere in Beverley itself. The FanZone remained busy across both days, with spectators able to watch service crews in action, meet drivers and enjoy the close proximity that closed-road rallying uniquely provides. The East Riding Stages has built a reputation not only for competitive quality but for its accessibility and community engagement - something clearly reflected in the large and enthusiastic crowds lining the stages.

As the final cars crossed the finish ramp and crews reflected on a demanding but rewarding weekend, the 2026 East Riding Stages Rally had once again delivered fast, fiercely contested competition on some of Yorkshire's finest lanes. For Touzel and Freeman it marked a significant early-season triumph; the the championship as a whole, it provided a thrilling opening chapter that sets the tone for the asphalt battles still to come.