The Severn Valley Stages, supported by Axon Commercial Catering Equipment, marks its 51st year of running this weekend (April 10/11) as an impressive line-up of some of the best drivers in the UK and beyond head for Llandrindod Wells for the opening round of the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship.

Joined by the Fuchs British Historic Rally Championship, Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship, West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters and the T.C.S Plant Rally Challenge, the event makes a comeback after a year's hiatus, and brings with it a top-class entry list of almost 120 cars.

Organised by Midland Manor Motor Club, the event will once again be based in Builth Wells, but also lays its roots in Llandrindod, at the Metropole Hotel, which will host the ceremonial start and autograph session on Friday as well as the finish celebrations on rally day.=

Crews will face more than 50 competitive stage miles across some of the most iconic gravel roads in the country, with the world-famous Myherin forest block taking centre stage. Seven stages are on offer with a staggering 18-mile final test offering a true sting in the tail for competing crews.

It's 2024 rally winner and Welshman Osian Pryce, who makes a welcome comeback to the event, this time in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Pryce, along with co-driver James Morgan, is aiming for a second BRC crow and rally win on the Seven Valley.

Max McRae, son of 1995 BRC champion Alister makes his debut on the event and kicks off a full British Championship assault in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. With Cammy Fair on the notes, a win at the recent Rally North Wales has helped their confidence going into a new season.

The Welsh pairing of Meirion Evans and Dale Furniss are well bedded into their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, and like McRae, a strong Rally North Wales proved their pace is still as strong as ever after taking maximum Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship points on the event last month.

Max McRae secured two event wins last season and, after nailing his colours to the mast, is back in the BRC for a full assault. Armed with a brand-new Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 and Cammy Fair on the notes, the formidable pairing has seen their speed improve over last season and, despite having never tackled the Severn Valley Stages previously, will be seeking to get their season off to a positive start.

Garry Pearson heads the M-Sport charge in his Ford Fiesta Rally2 with Hannah McKillop alongside and rounding out the top five.

Elliott Payne and Patrick Walsh line up in a Fiesta Rally2, as do Liam Clark and Michael Gilbey. Scottish Rally Championship front-runner Scot MacBeth adds further depth to the top-ten in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 with Ross Whittock on the notes.

The British Historic Rally Championship also provides a fascinating line-up, with George Lepley/Dafydd Evans heading the charge in their Mitsubishi Galant VR4. Marty McCormack is set to bring his crowd-pleasing BMW E30 M3 with Barney Mitchell alongside, whilst fellow Irishmen Damian Tourish/Kevin Duggan will head the Ford Escort brigade.

Fans will be able to watch the action on the stages and get close to the drivers during the rally, with dedicated spectator locations and activities. The ceremonial start and autograph session is free to attend at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells on Friday from just after 6pm. Two stages are available to watch in the forests, with the Sarnau (from 8:43am) and Myherin (9:59am) tests offering a great view of the drivers in action, both run twice during the day. Access is also available to the mid-event service at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells, plus the ceremonial finish back at the Metropole from around 4pm.

Further details of the event format and spectators is available across social media and on the event website severnvalleystages.info/spectators