The Severn Valley Stages returned to the Mid Wales forests last weekend, marking the opening round of the 2026 Motorsport UK British Rally Championship and the 51st running of the event after its cancellation last year following Storm Darragh.

Based across Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells, the rally once again used the Metropole Hotel for ceremonial start and finish duties, with the Royal Welsh Showground at Llanelwedd hosting the busy service park. Almost 120 crews entered across multiple championships, including the Fuchs British Historic Rally Championship, Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship, HRCR Stage Masters and TCS Plant Rally Series.

Friday evening’s ceremonial start in Llandrindod Wells drew a large crowd as more than 100 cars were flagged away by local dignitaries, including the Mayor of Llandrindod, Cllr Steve Deeks-D’Silva, with spectators lining the streets to meet drivers and collect autographs ahead of a weekend in the forests.

On Saturday, crews faced more than 50 miles of competitive stages, including seven tests and a demanding 18-mile finale over iconic Welsh sections such as Myherin and Tarenig. The weather played a major role throughout, with drivers battling an ever-changing mix of rain, hail, snow and occasional sunshine that left the gravel surface constantly evolving and unforgiving.

It proved a dream start to the season for Machynlleth driver Osian Pryce and co-driver James Morgan, who returned to the Melvyn Evans Motorsport team and quickly established control at the front in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.

Pryce set the benchmark time on the opening stage near Abbeycwmhir and went on to claim five stage wins from seven, building a 19-second winning margin.

Price and Morgan blast the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 through the Sarnau stage near Abbeycwmhir
Price and Morgan blast the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 through the Sarnau stage near Abbeycwmhir (Image: Mark Griffin) (.)

“Honestly, I’m very happy”, exclaimed Pryce at the finish.

“It’s so good to be back! It’s much easier coming back here with the title in hand; you can just relax and enjoy it! James and MEM have done a great job in getting me comfortable in this car. I think that’s been the key, and you know, to set a fastest time for the first time out in the car, I’m more than happy with that. From my side, I’ve got a bit of work to do with my driving to get used to the car, but no, I’m very happy.”

Under the watchful eye of the Metropole Hotel, the winning MEM team line up to celebrate taking the top two positions (Image: Mark Griffin)
Under the watchful eye of the Metropole Hotel, the winning MEM team line up to celebrate taking the top two positions (Image: Mark Griffin) (.)

Team-mate Meirion Evans and co-driver Dale Furniss pushed him hard throughout and finished second after a consistent and controlled drive, while Garry Pearson and Hannah McKillop brought their M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2 home in third after recovering from an early spin.

Podium celebrations for the winning crews (Image: Mark Griffin)
Podium celebrations for the winning crews (Image: Mark Griffin) (.)

Scottish teenager Max McRae, co-driven by Cammy Fair in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, briefly challenged for the lead before a costly puncture on the fourth stage dropped him back, although he recovered strongly to finish fourth.

Brecon’s Craig Jones, co-driven by Elwyn Manuel, also impressed in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, taking fourth in the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship class on a welcome return to competition.

It was a great performance from Craig Jones and Elwyn Manual in the CMJ Motors Mitsubishi Evo IX
It was a great performance from Craig Jones and Elwyn Manual in the CMJ Motors Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX (Image: Mark Griffin) (.)

Also close to home, Brecon & Epynt Motor Club members again assisted in providing safety marshals and officials.

In the Historic category, Irish crews dominated as Marty McCormack and Barney Mitchell guided their BMW M3 E30 to victory, ahead of compatriots Damien Tourish and Kevin Duggan in a Ford Escort Mk2.