The British Rally Championship (BRC) returns to action this weekend as the Severn Valley Stages gets the season underway with iconic forest stages such as the high-altitude WRC classic Myherin. Expect spectacular entertainment on some of the most demanding stages in British rallying.
It’s the first time a gravel rally has opened the BRC since 2023 and an impressive entry list will kick-off the six-round campaign as the drivers fight to add their name to an impressive roster of champions that includes Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Elfyn Evans.
The top BRC1 category showcases the Rally2 cars and if that isn’t enough to bring fans to the forests, there’s an exciting line-up that includes a returning champion and highly-promising new talents.
A hot favourite for the 2026 title will be 2022 champion Osian Pryce, who confirmed his return to the BRC just a few weeks ago. Together with co-driver James Morgan, he’ll be competing in a Michelin-shod Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 with the MEM Rally Team that powered him to previous success.
Chief challengers will be stablemates Meirion Evans and Dale Furniss, who will be aiming to avenge for their final round defeat in last year’s championship. Their Pirelli-equipped Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 was proven to be strong in the recent shakedown event in Wales.
The M-Sport Ford Fiesta will be strong opposition to the Toyota, with 2023 runner-up Gary Pearson heading the charge alongside co-driver Hannah McKillop. Elliott Payne and Patrick Walsh, plus Sam Touzel and Max Freeman will also field Fiestas, while Scot MacBeth and Ross Whittock bring a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 to the fight at the front.
One of the most exciting prospects for the year will be the full season debut of Max McRae and Cammy Fair in a brand-new Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. Max won two events in 2025 but this will be his first appearance on the Severn Valley Stages as he aims to add another McRae to the BRC hall of fame.
The Severn Valley Stages will have much more intrigue in the other classes, including BRC3, the Junior British Rally Championship and the Stellantis Rally Trophy UK for drivers of Peugeot, Lancia or Opel cars. The National Rally Title also delivers further variety and spectacle, featuring iconic Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru Impreza machinery amongst the entry.
For more details of the event, head here for the official BRC website and here for more information about rallying.