Defending Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Champions Sam Touzel/Max Freeman romped home to victory on the East Riding Stages Rally (21/22 February), winning the East Yorkshire event for the first time after a masterclass performance in tricky conditions in their brand-new Smart Scaffolding/Trade Centre UK Fiesta Rally2.
Having only collected the latest spec Ford from M-Sport a few days before the opening round of the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship, the 2025 champions weren’t in the mood to run the car in gently and went into the overnight halt with a 4.8 second advantage over their nearest BTRDA sealed surface rivals, after four slippery Saturday night-time stages.
Sunday’s daylight stages were just as challenging and, now running first on the road, Sam stayed on Michelin wet weather tyres throughout – which was a smart move with the threat of morning showers and muddy sections on the repeat runs in the afternoon.
Inch-perfect and “buzzing” in the new PB Engineering-run car, Sam mastered Sunday’s 10 stages to eventually finish 47.5 seconds ahead of his nearest Protyre Asphalt rival.
Matthew Hirst is acclaimed for his title-winning performances on gravel, and the reigning BTRDA Series and Pirelli Welsh champion was keen to measure himself against the very best asphalt drivers in the UK – so leading after SS2 in his Pirelli-shod Delta Salvage/Witham Motorsport/Speedline Corse Škoda Fabia R5 was somewhat beyond his expectations!
Co-driven by Declan Dear, the Doncaster ace (who had finished 10th and eighth on his previous two East Riding appearances) knew that the asphalt experts were going to be on a charge on Sunday, but a string of second and third fastest stage times kept all but Sam and the unregistered James Ford at bay – as he finished a magnificent and richly deserved third overall and scoring second place Protyre Asphalt points.
It’s hard to take this away from the performance of the top two, but the star of the event must go to Lee Edwards. In often treacherously slippery conditions, his run in his rear-wheel drive V6-engined Blakemore’s Autos/Evans Construction/P&B Tyres/Bailey Performance Escort G3 was simply breathtaking.
Co-driven by Sam Spencer, bravery counted for much on Saturday night’s stages as he completed Leg 1 in sixth position overall, just 27.7 seconds behind the leader. But come the drier daylight stages, surely the four-wheel drive pilots would power past? Not so, as the Oswestry driver held position to score a truly extraordinary result – first 2WD, first in Class 3 and fourth in the overall Protyre Asphalt standings.
Neil Roskell was within one stage of taking that final podium place, however.
Co-driven by Jack Morton, he’d endured a disastrous opening leg – beginning on SS1 when he collected a big banner which blocked the headlights so he couldn’t see anything in the dark. Worse was to follow on SS3 when the rear of his ND Civils/Witham Oils Fiesta Rally2 let go and launched him into a massive high-speed spin into a fence. Neil finished the leg with significant front left panel damage, an ill-handling car, dented confidence and 42.6 seconds behind the leaders.
Neil fought back brilliantly to reach the Protyre Asphalt top three, only for the car to stop with a crank pulley issue with just one stage remaining.
Taking their Trick Motorsport Hydroline Solutions Fiesta Rally2 on a voyage from its home in Somerset to Dom Buckley RSC in Scotland to solve a last minute mechanical drama before heading south to East Yorkshire wasn’t the ideal preparation, but a fantastic team and family effort got Brad Cole/Jamie Vaughan to the start – and they immediately set about repaying that extraordinary endeavour by entering the overnight halt in a fighting fifth Protyre Asphalt position and their sights on a first championship podium finish. Which they would have scored, had they not lost 25 seconds with an off on SS11. Instead, they took home a nevertheless excellent fourth place points finish in the East Budleigh Garage car, just 1.4 seconds shy of that elusive Protyre podium.
Ian Forgan was making his East Riding Stages Rally debut and enjoyed a good run in his Mercury Motorsport Fiesta Rally2. Co-driven by Callum Young, the Scottish driver was rewarded with a fifth place Protyre Asphalt points finish – just 0.9 seconds behind Brad.
It was a game of two halves for Roger Duckworth/Alun Cook. On SS2 they went off the road avoiding another car that stopped suddenly in front of them and collected a puncture. They then had problems changing the wheel at the end of the stage, meaning that their Technia Fiesta R5 was running a lot further down the order than it should have been. Their aim on Sunday was to get back into the top 10 – and after a great run that’s exactly what they did, finishing ninth overall and taking home sixth place Protyre Asphalt points.
Rob Swann/Tom Woodburn lost over 30 seconds stuck at a tight hairpin on SS1. The highlight of their event was fastest time on SS9, which helped them on their way to seventh place Protyre Asphalt points in their RA Swann/Blue Sky Luxury Fiesta WRC.
In only his second event in a Fiesta Rally2, Aled Wyn Morgans gave a superb account of himself with a fast and consistent run. Co-driven by Jack Bowen, the former Escort Challenge frontrunner was on the fringes of the top 10 from the start and brought the Aberystwyth Motorsport car home 14th overall and ninth in the Protyre Asphalt category.
David Wright/Jane Nicol were one of the pre-event favourites but struggled to find grip on Saturday night which resulted in an overshoot on SS4 (Great Wold which, at 11.47 miles, was the longest stage of the event). They were challenging for a podium finish until they had to stop and change a front left puncture on SS11, spoiling what would have been a very good result in their GPM/DamperTek/Grove Hill Garage Fiesta Rally2. Whilst David scored 11th placed driver points, Jane takes the early lead in the Ladies’ Challenge Co-drivers category.
Darrell Taylor/Martin Brady hit a bale early on in their Dom Buckley Motorsport Fiesta Rally2 and struggled thereafter in the darkness with wayward headlights. Sunday began with a spin on SS5, but they kept charging and were rewarded with a strong points finish.
Mark Holmes/Tom Simkiss entered the event in an Escort Mk1 but turned up in a Fiesta R5. The ND Civils/Mark Holmes Auto Engineering supported crew spun into a field on SS5 and finished just 0.6 seconds behind Darrell after over an hour of flat-out competition.
Night-time stages are no friend of John Stone, but he and co-driver Rhys Stoneman got through Leg 1 without any problems in their Legend Performance Volkswagen Polo R5 GTI. They were going well on Sunday too, until a puncture on SS11 dropped them out of contention.
Aileen and John Forrest started their full Protyre Asphalt campaign in their PB Engineering-run Fiesta R5 with the aim of getting maximum stage miles under their belt. It was therefore mission accomplished, as a trouble-free run was rewarded with a strong finish and maximum Ladies’ Challenge Driver points.
Hugh Brunton/Drew Sturrock were third Protyre Asphalt crew after a controlled run through Saturday’s night stages, but they put their Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 off the road on Sunday’s opening stage. Although they got going again, a stage maximum and over seven minutes lost ruined what could have otherwise been a fantastic result.
Mike English’s self-confessed nightmare start included getting struck at a chicane on SS1 and having no anti-lag on SS2. Together with Andy Robinson, Sunday wasn’t any better as the Altrincham driver retired his Lumina Fiesta Rally2 on SS9. Ryan Burns/Shaun Hughes also retired their Bat-Sport Performance/Burnley Motors/Seacon UK Fiesta Rally2 on day two.
James Hall/Laura Marshall won Class 2 in their immaculate Subaru Impreza N11 – the Penrith driver also collecting 13th place overall championship points.
Steven Harvey/Robert Bryn Jones had a troubled start, thanks to no flat-shift and other electrical problems in their Telematic Solutions/Kelmore Subaru Impreza. Their persistence paid off as they finished second in Class 2.
Paul Murphy/Richard Robinson took the final Class 2 podium spot in their RAC Consultants/CM Motors Mitsubishi Evo 6.
Adrian Spencer survived an early close encounter with a hay bale in his RED Industries Adgespeed Subaru Impreza S11 WRC replica. Co-driven by Mark Hewitt, the defending class champion was later to retire with engine-related issues.
Defending 2WD class champions Huw James/Lewis Sim had an overshoot on SS4, before embarking on a clean, fast and naturally spectacular run to second in class (behind Lee Edwards) in their A&D Tyres Escort Mk2. They also finished a very impressive eighth in the overall Protyre Asphalt standings. Huw also takes the lead in the new Protyre Asphalt Seniors category.
Ross Brusby/Sam Collis were on tremendous form in their Chesterfield Transporters Escort Mk2 and completed the Class 3 podium.
Dan Taylor/Andy Conibear muscled their “monster” Hanlons Brewery/Prescott Brewery BMW Compact to a highly impressive fourth in Class 3.
Alistair Crawford, partnered for the first time by the reigning Protyre Asphalt Junior champion Tommi Henderson, enjoyed a good weekend in his Cheviot Trees Escort Mk2 and came home fifth in class.
Russell Addyman/Kev Wilson (Escort Mk2), Gareth Humphreys/Aaron Mallin (Mini Cooper S R53) and Mark Turner/Phil Bramma, who bounced back from a panel-denting off in their Mini Cooper S, followed.
An exploding handbrake cylinder and a loss of brakes sidelined Andy Brinkley/Helena Mayall on Saturday, but they came back fighting on Sunday and recorded some impressive stage times in their mighty M-Tech Motorsport/AB Bodyworks BMW E38 M3 to score valuable Class 3 points.
Max Murray/Matthew Owen had a good run on Saturday, but leaking brake fluid caused them to spin on SS11 and retire their BVS Vehicles Citroen DS3 R3T shortly afterwards.
Gareth Price/Liam Evans retired their BMW Compact early on Sunday with driveshaft problems.
Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt had an early bath thanks to electrical problems in their Jaspers Bakeries Escort Mk2, while Kyle Adam/Steven Brown didn’t finish Leg 2 in their Escort.
Reigning class champions Alyn Welsby/Dan Parsons took a great class victory after an impressive run in their Cobra Hydraulics/CSA Recruitment Escort Mk2.
Nathan Evans’ pace was transformed on the final loop after loose rear wheel bearings were discovered at midday service – so much so that he was a minute quicker on the repeat of the seven-mile Seaton stage. Co-driven by Rhys Edwards, the 911 Sport/JD Tyres/The Kitchen Installers Renault Clio 3 RS driver finished an excellent second in Class 6.
It was also another good run for James Lightfoot. Partnered by Chris Pattison, the talented Carlisle driver finished third in class in his RallyTravel Peugeot 208 Rally4.
Neil Jones/Alan Thomas recorded a rare retirement in their #TeamPitStop Escort Mk2, Geoff Phelps/Andrew Boswell retired their Cherry Rock Farm/Dave Jenkins Motorsport Escort Mk2 with engine problems and Phil Turner/Frazer Moss retired their smart red Escort Mk2 early in the event.
Jack Ives/Louis Baines went off on SS3 and, having been pushed out of a field by spectators, their Escort had sustained too much damage to continue.
Peter Harrison/Nigel Morris lost a brake pad on their Peugeot 106 on Sunday morning, but a brilliant fightback saw them clinch Class 7 victory in their Peugeot 106.
Jack and Helen Hall stayed on wet tyres throughout Sunday, and the extra grip and confidence helped them to an impressive second in class finish, less than a minute behind, in their Proton Compact.
Endaf Makepeace’s long journey from Pembrokeshire was rewarded when he and co-driver Robert Wheeler finished third in class in their rapid DP Building Supplies Escort Mk2.
Graham Muter/Mark Mason retired near the end of the event, with high temperature warning lights illuminated in their Escort Mk2.
Matthew Baddeley survived late alternator dramas to score a magnificent Class H1 victory in his Self Storage Company/Stratos PDI Escort Mk2. The Congleton driver was co-driven by Graeme Wood.
Whilst the conditions didn’t exactly suit his Mini Cooper S, Shane Gamble finished second in class, while Julia Perry takes the lead of the co-drivers’ section.
Defending class and BTRDA Historic Asphalt Cup champions Andrew O’Hanlon/Kevin Hogan had another great run and pushed hard all the way to the finish in their Cooper S, finishing less than a minute behind their great Mini rivals in third.
Stef Davies was on sensational form, winning Class H6, taking the lead of both the BTRDA Historic Asphalt Cup and Escort Challenge and taking home an incredible 10th place Protyre Asphalt overall finish in his striking Shell Oils Escort M2. Co-driven by Michael Gilbey, it wasn’t a surprise to see the Carmarthen driver blast through Saturday night’s stages at great pace, and he kept that momentum going and excelled in Sunday’s slippy conditions.
A great performance saw Will Rowlands/Emyr Hall finish second in Class H6 in their Escort RS1800 and come away second in the BTRDA Historic Asphalt Cup. They also finished a very impressive 23rd overall and picked up 14th Protyre Asphalt overall points.
Hywel Davies/Dorian Evans struggled in the dark (later finding out that their spotlights were fitted with standard bulbs) and remained on wet tyres for all of Sunday. With many muddy sections, that wasn’t a bad move – and the Escort crew’s long journey from west Wales was rewarded with second in Class H6.
David Iwan Jones/Nigel Roberts survived a massive moment on SS5 but retired their Wales Motorsport-run HIJ Electrical Contractors/Mill Farm Eggs/JD Tyres/GNJ Construction Escort Mk2 later the same day.
Simon Bowen’s stunning Ford Sierra Cosworth was awarded the Dynamic Fluids Best Presented Car Award, selected and presented by Protyre Asphalt Championship scrutineer Geoff Doe. It was all the more heartbreaking to see the car badly damaged when it crashed into a field on SS5, with thankfully Simon and co-driver Craig Simkiss walking away unharmed.
On his last event in his Opel Adam R2, the reigning Protyre Asphalt Junior champion Luke Constantine spent most of Saturday night on the rev limiter before, unfortunately, spending Sunday morning in a ditch – after he and co-driver Ifan Devine slipped off the road on a particularly slippery left-hand corner on SS5.
Action from the East Riding Stages Rally, which was broadcast live, is available to view for free on the Special Stage TV Facebook and YouTube channels, plus specialstage.tv.
Round 2 of the 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship is the Manx National Rally (8/9 May).
East Riding Stages Rally– top 10 registered 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship finishers:
1. Sam Touzel/Max Freeman (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….1hr 01min 39.4secs
2. Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear (Škoda Fabia R5)….1hr 02mins 26.9secs
3. Lee Edwards/Sam Spencer (Ford Escort G3)….1hr 05mins 13.6secs
4. Brad Cole/Jamie Vaughan (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….1hr 05mins 15.0secs
5. Ian Forgan/Callum Young (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….1hr 05mins 15.9secs
6. Roger Duckworth/Alun Cook (Ford Fiesta R5)….1hr 05mins 20.2secs
7. Rob Swann/Tom Woodburn (Ford Fiesta WRC)….1hr 05mins 23.5secs
8. Huw James/Lewis Sim (Ford Escort Mk2)….1hr 06mins 18.0secs
9. Aled Wyn Morgans/Jack Bowen (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….1hr 06mins 35.7secs
10. Stef Davies/Michael Gilbey (Ford Escort Mk2)….1hr 06mins 59.5secs
2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship – top 6 Drivers’ overall after Round 1:
1. Sam Touzel….30pts
2. Matthew Hirst….28pts
3. Lee Edwards….27pts
4. Brad Cole….26pts
5. Ian Forgan….25pts
6. Roger Duckworth….24pts
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