Max McRae etched his name into the history books of the Get Jerky Rally North Wales on Saturday (28 March), securing a dramatic victory alongside co-driver Cameron Fair after a breathtaking final-stage showdown in ever-changing Welsh forest conditions.
Driving their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, the Scottish crew delivered a stunning late charge to overhaul long-time rally leaders Meirion Evans and Dale Furniss. A cruel spin on the final stage denied the Welsh pairing victory in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, leaving them to settle for second place, just 2.3 seconds adrift. Elliott Payne and Patrick Walsh completed the podium in their Ford Fiesta Rally2.
Based in Welshpool, the Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club-organised event featured six demanding stages across iconic forest tests such as Aberhirnant and Dyfnant. Crews were faced with a true test of adaptability, as the rally lived up to the classic “four seasons in a day” reputation—delivering everything from bursts of sunshine to heavy rain, biting winds and even spells of hail sweeping across the stages.
The rally also maintained its strong connection with the local community, returning to the town centre for a mid-event regroup and the final celebrations, as fans braved the mixed conditions to witness the action.
Evans set the early pace, opening up a 5.2-second advantage on the first stage and extending his lead throughout a treacherous morning loop, where damp gravel and intermittent showers caught out several crews. By the mid-point service in Welshpool, he held a commanding 16-second gap over McRae, with Payne a further distance behind in third.
However, as conditions evolved in the afternoon—with dry lines forming in places before being swept away by sudden squalls—McRae began to fight back.
Part of the famed McRae rallying dynasty, he mounted an aggressive comeback, clawing back 12 seconds across the repeated passes of Aberhirnant and Dyfnant North. In a tense and unpredictable final stage, where grip levels changed corner by corner, Evans’ costly spin handed McRae the opportunity to snatch victory in dramatic fashion.
“What is it with me and final stage wins?” McRae said after the finish, referencing his similar last-stage triumph on the Cambrian Rally in 2025. “What a day. It’s great to win here, and it’s perfect British Rally Championship preparation.”
Despite the disappointment, Evans could take solace in his dominant pace throughout much of the day, as well as securing maximum points in the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship.
Payne’s consistent run to third overall earned him top honours in the Protyre BTRDA Rally Series classification, while 2024 event winner Matthew Hirst finished fourth after a challenging outing. Alex Vassallo and Chris Lees rounded out the top five.
In the National Historic category, Irish duo Marty McCormack and Barney Mitchell claimed victory in spectacular style with their BMW E30 M3. After early leader George Lepley retired with a driveshaft failure, McCormack capitalised, winning four of the six stages to secure a commanding margin of nearly 24 seconds over fellow Irishman Paul Barrett. Nick Elliott and Dave Price completed the podium in their FIAT 131.
Marty McCormack and Barney Mitchell (Left) Nick Elliott and Dave Price (Right) | Dan Knight Automotive Media
The event also featured the HRCR Mini Cup, where Clive Kind and Anton Bird took victory after contesting the opening three stages.
Event chairman Guy Weaver expressed his satisfaction at the rally’s successful return after a year’s absence due to storm damage.
“Two years have felt such a long time, but I’m delighted to see Get Jerky Rally North Wales return to the British rally calendar and, of course, Welshpool,” he said. “We wanted to make sure the 2026 edition was one of the best, and the feedback suggests we achieved that.”
Battling not only fierce competition but also the full force of the Welsh elements, the 2026 Get Jerky Rally North Wales delivered a fitting and dramatic return—one that will be remembered as much for its conditions as its competition.
