The Hills Ford Stages Rally – which was originally scheduled to run this weekend as the penultimate round of the 2025 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship before being cancelled – will relocate to Shropshire next year and take place on 19/20 September 2026.
This move marks a significant and exciting evolution for the rally, which has long been a highlight of Cheltenham Motor Club’s calendar.
In collaboration with the forward-thinking Shropshire Council, the event will feature a service location and ceremonial start within the Shrewsbury area, bringing motorsport energy right into the heart of the community.
Afternoon stages will be held on the Saturday at a historic private estate, once part of the iconic RAC Rally, offering fans a nostalgic yet thrilling experience.
Sunday will showcase a selection of road rally classics, winding through the stunning scenery of the Shropshire Hills, delivering a route that blends technical challenge with breathtaking views.
This relocation not only preserves the legacy of the Hills Ford Stages but enhances it—bringing new opportunities for competitors, spectators, and the local economies.
“We’re incredibly excited to confirm the return of the Hills Ford Stages in 2026, and even more so to be bringing it to Shropshire,” says Dan Lister, Clerk of the Course.
“The team has worked tirelessly to make this happen, and I want to thank every single person involved for their dedication and belief.
“We’re hugely grateful to Hills Ford for their unwavering support throughout this journey, and to Shropshire Council for being so accommodating and visionary in their approach. Their enthusiasm for the event and recognition of its wider benefits have been truly refreshing.
“To our loyal supporters—thank you for sticking with us. Your encouragement has meant everything, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to the stages next year.”
Plans for 2026 are well underway, and organisers have shared their exciting vision with Tim Hill, who is thrilled about new, more challenging stages, enhanced logistics, and expanded community programmes. Hills Ford’s support guarantees top-level competition, extra support for marshals and volunteers, and ongoing promotion of careers and education in motorsport. The much-loved ceremonial start and finish, alongside planned fan experiences and opportunities for local businesses, are developing and evolving behind the scenes—shaping up to be something quite exciting that the organisers will announce very soon.
Thats brilliant news. Good luck with everything,we will be entering as we we’re home to have done this year.
That is great news for us the hard working marshals