Builth Wells will once again take centre stage in the world of rallying as the 2026 Probite British Rally Championship gets under way in Powys next April.

The championship organisers have today unveiled a six-round calendar featuring some of the UK’s most iconic gravel and asphalt rallies - with the Severn Valley Stages, based in Builth Wells, confirmed as the curtain-raiser for the new season on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

The event’s return marks a triumphant comeback after its 2025 cancellation due to Storm Darragh. Using classic forest roads long associated with Wales Rally GB, the Severn Valley Stages promises a demanding single-day gravel challenge and a spectacular start to the national series.

BRC Championship Manager, Reece Tarren, said: “We are delighted to unveil the 2026 British Rally Championship calendar, which I believe offers a fantastic mix of events that truly reflect the strength and heritage of UK rallying.

“Starting later in the year is something I’ve toyed with for a while, as it gives competitors and teams more time to put their plans together and kicking things off on gravel just feels right for the BRC.

“We understand there’s a slight gravel bias next year, but we’re lucky to have some of the best forests in the world here in Britain, so why not play to our strengths? Each of the gravel events will feature over 50 competitive miles, some considerably more, taking us back towards the days of real endurance in the woods.

“Of course, sprint-style events still have an important place in the championship, and when you combine that with classics like the Jim Clark Rally and the opportunity to showcase BRC talent on the European stage at Rali Ceredigion, I think we have the perfect balance.”

“It’s another strong and exciting calendar, and I’m really looking forward to working with our competitors over the winter to ensure they’re ready to hit the ground running next April,” he added.

The 2026 season will feature a mix of legendary forest routes and closed-road asphalt rallies across the UK. After the opener in Powys, competitors will head north to the Jim Clark Rally in the Scottish Borders in May before tackling the fast gravel of the Kielder Carlisle Stages in early June.

Following a break in July, the championship resumes in Scotland with the Voly Grampian Forest Rally near Banchory in August, before returning to Wales for the Rali Ceredigion in Aberystwyth in September. The season finale will take place in October on the Cambrian Rally in Llandudno.

2026 Provisional Motorsport UK British Rally Championship calendar:

Round 1 – Severn Valley Stages – Builth Wells – 11 April 2026

Round 2 – Borders Competitions Jim Clark Rally – Duns – 22/23 May 2026

Round 3 – Kielder Carlisle Stages – Carlisle – 5/6 June 2026

Round 4 – Voly Grampian Forest Rally – Banchory – 7/8 August 2026

Round 5 – JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion – Aberystwyth – 4-6 September 2026

Round 6 – Lewis & Hunter Cambrian Rally – Llandudno – 24 October 2026