Jason Pritchard has won the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship for a fourth time, after a thrilling battle on the Hills Ford Stages (19/20 September).
Co-driven by Phil Clarke, Jason used all his championship-winning experience to secure a maximum-points finish in his Pirelli-shod North Road Garage/Guttercrest Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 – finishing second overall on the event, 15 seconds behind the unregistered Callum Black/James Aldridge (Fiesta Rally2).
The Builth Wells driver was lying 17th in the points standings after Round 3, but a sensational performance in the second half of the series saw Jason score four consecutive maximum-points finishes to clinch the title on the seventh and final round.
Jason adds to the Protyre Asphalt titles he won in 2018, 2019 and 2021 and becomes the third most successful driver in the history of the UK’s premier asphalt rally championship – behind 11-time champion John Price and six-time champion Damian Cole.
Brad Cole arrived at the Hills Ford Stages leading the series and led the event for most of Sunday morning. He and co-driver Jamie Vaughan were tied with Jason for the lead when Brad clipped a bank and was forced to retire his Trick Motorsport-prepared and East Budleigh Garage-run Hydroline Solutions Ford Fiesta Rally2.
Despite the disappointment of a non-finish on the final round, Brad wins a test in a Ford Puma Rally1 at the M-Sport Evaluation Centre after ending the series as the highest-placed Fiesta Rally2 driver and championship runner-up, just one point ahead of Aled Wyn Morgans.
Aled built his confidence on the all-new Shropshire closed road stages in his Aberystwyth Motorsport/OW’s Cabs Fiesta Rally2. Despite hitting a rock and picking up a puncture mid-way through Sunday morning’s loop of stages, he quickly acclimatised to the technical roads and picked up a career-best second-place Protyre Asphalt finish. He needed to win to secure the Puma Rally1 test, but lost out on a trip to M-Sport by the smallest of margins. Yet it has still been a tremendous first season for Aled in his Fiesta Rally2, while a stunning season-long performance rewards Jack Bowen the overall co-drivers’ title.
John Stone admitted to a “rubbish couple of stages” after he hit the front and rear of his Legend Performance Engineering/Legend Fires Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 on Sunday morning’s loop. He was still sixth overall at lunchtime, despite a vibration in the car, and together with co-driver Rhys Stoneman he eventually fought back to take third-place Protyre Asphalt points – which secured John fifth in the final standings.
Roger Duckworth had a great run in his new ex-Neil Roskell Technia Fiesta Rally2, despite only having time for the briefest of tests before the event started. He and Alun Cook just missed out on a Protyre Asphalt podium finish.
Rob Swann/Dylan Thomas returned to the series in their Cygnet Fiesta WRC and clinched a top 10 Protyre Asphalt finish after a challenging day in the Shropshire Hills.
The watersplash on Sunday’s opening Cressage stage (SS5) saw the retirement of several top competitors, beginning with the event’s overnight leaders Mark Kelly/Will Atkins. When their Kelmore Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 stopped on the uphill section out of the ford, Brad Cole, Lee Edwards and Aled Wyn Morgans were all delayed as they slowed to pass the stricken car.
Ian Forgan/Chris Lees then retired their Mercury Motorsport Fiesta Rally2 at the same location, unavoidably delaying Roger Duckworth. Mike English/Simon Hunter (Lumina Fiesta Rally2) were next to retire there, followed by several more crews as an increasingly large rally car park developed in a field beside the stage.
The 2007 Protyre Asphalt champion Stephen Simpson, co-driven by Mark Glennerster, crashed his Tudor Glass Fiesta Rally2 out of the event on SS6.
Penrith’s James Hall won Class 2 in his Subaru Impreza N11 and picked up a fantastic seventh-place Protyre Asphalt finish.
While his co-driver Laura Marshall won the class co-drivers’ title – and the Ladies’ Challenge co-drivers’ award – James missed out on the runners-up spot to Steven Harvey. Co-driven by Daniel Callaghan, the Norden driver finished third in class on the event, securing second in the championship by just two points.
Splitting the Subarus on the day were Ian Taylor/Louise Lewis, who finished the season on a high with second in class in their newly acquired Macwhirter Motorsport/ABX Roofing Supplies/Derwydd Garage/CMJ Motors Mitsubishi Evo 9.
Adrian Spencer had already secured the Class 2 title and was aiming to finish his 50th year of rallying in style. Co-driven by Mark Hewitt, the Manchester driver unfortunately had to retire when his RED Industries/Adgespeed Subaru Impreza S5 WRC lookalike broke a steering arm on SS8.
It was great to see Philip Hopkins/Ashley Trimble return to the Protyre Asphalt Championship. They were going well until their Hopkins Race Transporters Mitsubishi Mirage clutch failed on SS10.
Lee Edwards was in with a shout of the overall title, but his sensational season came to a sad end on his home event when he retired his rear-wheel-drive Blakemore’s Autos/Evans Construction Ford Escort G3 with a suspected diff failure on SS10. At the time, he and co-driver Sam Spencer were third in the Protyre Asphalt standings (and fourth overall behind Callum Black/James Aldridge). The Oswestry driver nevertheless secured the Class 3 and Escort Challenge titles and finished as the top 2WD competitor in fourth overall.
Gareth ‘Gaz’ Price won Class 3 on the day, which was just reward after a typically spirited drive on his home event in his CR M-Tech Motorsport/EDJ Agri/E&M Motor Factors BMW Compact. Co-driven by Liam Evans, the win secured the Shrewsbury driver the class runners-up spot.
Russell Addyman finished second on the day to lock in third in the championship. Partnered by Kev Wilson, it was another great performance by the Harrogate driver, who was the only one in Class 3 to finish all seven rounds.
Gareth Humphreys just missed out on a Class 3 podium finish in his Mini Cooper S R53. Another good run did, however, give Aaron Mallin a well-deserved Junior Co-drivers’ title.
Huw James (co-driven on this occasion by Cameron Dunn) was going well until his A&D Tyres/Maxxis Fiat 131 Mirafiori snapped a diff cradle on SS9. He limped through that stage and arrived in service, but repairs couldn’t be made and he went no further.
Spectators had to push Andy Brinkley/Helena Mayall out of a hedge, and they later retired on the penultimate stage when their M-Tech Motorsport/AB Bodyworks BMW E38 M3 broke a front torsion arm.
Neil Jones/Alan Thomas arrived at the final round with the Class 6 title already secured after a tremendous season in their #TeamPitStop/West Wales Rally Spares Escort Mk2 – which was just as well, as a gearbox issue put them out of the event. It didn’t stop them also winning the brand-new Seniors’ category title.
On his first Protyre Asphalt start of the season, George Thomas won Class 6 in his Thomas Panels & Profiles Peugeot 208 Rally4. Co-driven by Mark Ammonds, the Hereford driver had a great run and finished an impressive 34th overall.
Kev Bolver/Julia Perry finished second in class in their red Bishops Castle Garage Talbot Sunbeam.
Geoff Phelps/Colin Jenkins (Cherry Rock Escort Mk2) finished third in class, ahead of Tim Phelps/Elwyn Manuel (Britpart Escort Mk2).
Victory would have seen Alyn Welsby/Dan Parsons snatch the runners-up spot in Class 6, but they retired their Cobra Hydraulics/CSA Recruitment Escort Mk2 on SS10.
Mike Pugsley’s magnificent self-prepared 1974 Ford Escort RS2000 Mk1 won the Dynamic Fluids Best Presented Car Award prior to the start of the event, as selected and presented by the championship scrutineer, Geoff Doe. Co-driven by Marc Clatworthy, the double Protyre Asphalt class champion was flying until they went through the Cressage watersplash for a second time (SS10). This time they attempted it a little slower, but the water drowned out the engine and when they tried to restart it the ignition barrel failed.
Gary Yeomans/Karl Edwards (Yeomans Plumbing/Coltech Rally Services/Cartwrights Escort Mk2) and Steve Lawrence/Terry Martin (Red Square Garage Renault Clio) both stopped on SS2, while Phil Turner/Jack Morris (Escort Mk2) retired on SS6.
Anthony Jevons is the new Class 7 champion, despite finishing third on the Hills Ford Stages in his AMJ Coatings Fiesta R2 – which, after five second-place results, was his lowest finish of the season. His co-driver Margaret Kelly won not just the class title, but the Ladies’ Challenge co-drivers’ trophy as well.
David Mills/Harvey Roberts won Class 7 on the day in their Border Automotive Paints Escort Mk2, finishing just over a minute ahead of Charlie Wright/Adam Westerby, who had a few close calls with the banks and hedges in their Harper Adams University Fiesta R2T.
Jack and Helen Hall came home fourth after a great run in their Hall Bros/K&M Hogg Fiesta R2, finishing ahead of Endaf Makepeace/Robert Wheeler in their DP Building Supplies Escort Mk2.
Peter Harrison’s hopes of lifting the Class 7 title disappeared when he and co-driver Nigel Morris retired their Peugeot 106 GTi, while Colin Davies/Chris Evans retired their Escort Mk2 on SS7.
Shane Gamble is the 2026 Protyre Asphalt Class H1 and Mini Challenge champion after a great season in his South Staffordshire R3 Race & Rally Repairs Mini Cooper S. Michael Diehl guided the Stratos Motorsport driver to his fourth H1 win of the season on the Hills Ford Stages, and his fifth Mini Challenge win. Shane did miss out on his target of a top 50 finish on the Hills Ford, thanks to a one-minute penalty for going too fast into a virtual chicane.
Andrew O’Hanlon defeated Shane to retain his BTRDA Historic Asphalt Cup title in his Mini Cooper S, albeit by just one point. It was another exceptional season for Kevin Hogan, who lifted the H1, BTRDA Historic and Mini Challenge co-drivers’ titles.
Stef Davies produced another outstanding performance to underline just what a well-driven historic Escort Mk2 can achieve. This time the Carmarthen ace guided his Shell Oils-backed Ford to an outstanding fifth-place overall Protyre Asphalt finish – which sees him eighth in the overall drivers’ standings. Co-driven by Michael Gilbey, Stef naturally won Class H6 on the day; a title he’d already won before the final round.
Will Rowlands/Emyr Hall finished second in class in their Henllan Bakery Escort RS1800 Mk2. They claimed the Class H6 runners-up spot too, as they took home an equally well-deserved sixth-place overall Protyre Asphalt finish.
David Iwan Jones/Nigel Roberts completed the Class H6 podium (and finished ninth in the overall Protyre Asphalt category) in their Wales Motorsport-run HIJ Electrical Contractors/Mill Farm Eggs/JD Tyres/GNJ Construction Escort Mk2.
Ilan Pritchard/Dylan Sion Richards (Henblas Garage Escort Mk2) finished fourth in class, ahead of Hywel Davies/Dorian Evans (Escort Mk2) and Mark Holmes/Graham Wild (ND Civils/Mark Holmes Auto Engineering Escort Mk1).
Action from the Hills Ford Stages, which was broadcast live, is available to view for free on the Special Stage TV Facebook and YouTube channels, plus specialstage.tv.
The 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship Gala Dinner & Awards Night will take place at the Drayton Manor Hotel on Saturday 7 November.
Tickets (same price as last year) are available on the BTRDA DigiTickets platform here.
A special room rate at the Drayton Manor Hotel is available too.
Hills Ford Stages – top 10 registered 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship finishers:
1. Jason Pritchard/Phil Clarke (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)….1hr 06mins 48secs
2. Aled Wyn Morgans/Jack Bowen (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….1hr 09mins 07secs
3. John Stone/Rhys Stoneman (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5)….1hr 09mins 38secs
4. Roger Duckworth/Alun Cook (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….1hr 10mins 11secs
5. Stef Davies/Michael Gilbey (Ford Escort Mk2)….1hr 11mins 30secs
6. Will Rowlands/Emyr Hall (Escort RS1800 Mk2)….1hr 12mins 25secs
7. James Hall/Laura Marshall (Subaru Impreza N11)….1hr 12mins 28secs
8. Gareth ‘Gaz’ Price/Liam Evans (BMW Compact)….1hr 12mins 32secs
9. David Iwan Jones/Nigel Roberts (Ford Escort Mk2)….1hr 12mins 55secs
10. Rob Swann/Dylan Thomas (Ford Fiesta WRC)….1hr 13mins 40secs
2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship
Final (provisional) overall driver points (after Round 7):
1. Jason Pritchard….148pts
2. Brad Cole….133pts*
3. Aled Wyn Morgans….132pts*
4. Lee Edwards….129pts*
5. John Stone….122pts*
6. Ian Forgan….101pts*
Final overall co-driver points:
1. Jack Bowen….134pts*
2. Chris Lees….131pts*
3. Rhys Stoneman…126pts*
4. Sam Spencer….107pts
5. Alun Cook…98pts
6. Alan Thomas….90pts*
* includes dropped scores
Final class winning positions:
Class 1
Driver: Jason Pritchard
Co-driver: Jack Bowen
Class 2
Driver: Adrian Spencer
Co-driver: Laura Marshall
Class 3
Driver: Lee Edwards
Co-driver: Sam Spencer
Class 5
Driver: Luke Constantine
Co-driver: Ifan Devine
Class 6
Driver: Neil Jones
Co-driver: Alan Thomas
Class 7
Driver: Anthony Jevons
Co-driver: Margaret Kelly
Class H1
Driver: Shane Gamble
Co-driver: Kevin Hogan
Class H6
Driver: Stef Davies
Co-driver: Emyr Hall
BTRDA Historic Asphalt Cup
Driver: Andrew O’Hanlon
Co-driver: Kevin Hogan
Escort Challenge
Driver: Lee Edwards
Co-driver: Alan Thomas
Mini Challenge
Driver: Shane Gamble
Co-driver: Kevin Hogan
Juniors
Driver: Luke Constantine
Co-driver: Aaron Mallin
Seniors
Driver: Neil Jones
Co-driver: Alan Thomas
Ladies Challenge
Driver: Aileen Forrest
Co-driver: Margaret Kelly
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