The Motorsport UK British Rally Championship (BRC) blasts back into life this weekend as iconic forest stages such as Myherin play host to the opening round of the 2026 season at the Severn Valley Stages [11 April].
Renowned for its fast, flowing forest gravel stages which dig deep into the famous Wales Rally GB archives, the Llandrindod Wells-based event provides a spectacular backdrop for the championship curtain-raiser, with crews set to tackle some of the most demanding and rewarding in British rallying.
A staple of the UK rally scene, the Severn Valley Stages marks the BRC’s first gravel opening round since 2023, and with an impressive entry list assembled for round one, fans can expect an electrifying start to the six-round campaign as title contenders look to lay down an early marker.
Once again, the BRC1 category heads the field, with the Rally2 machinery boasting a fiercely competitive line-up of returning champions and eager talent all vying for the coveted BRC title, which has names such as Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Elfyn Evans embossed on the nameplate of the trophy.
It’s all eyes on former champion Osian Pryce, who makes a welcome comeback to the series in a Michelin-shod Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 with the MEM Rally Team. Pryce, along with co-driver James Morgan, returns to the very team he won the title with in 2022, now equipped with a Toyota and a chance of a second crown.
Meirion Evans and Dale Furniss were in a final event showdown for the title in 2025, and return this year, aiming to finally lift the trophy. With Pryce as a teammate, they are well accustomed to their Pirelli-equipped Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 and a recent shakedown event in Wales proved their pace is still as strong as ever.
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 and, as a proven front-runner, is aiming to better his runner-up spot in the 2023 championship. With Hannah McKillop alongside once again, Pearson will mount a serious title challenge this season.
Elliott Payne and Patrick Walsh line up in a Fiesta Rally2, as do Sam Touzel and Max Freeman. Touzel will contest only his second ever gravel event after enjoying his debut on the Cambrian Rally in 2025. Scot MacBeth adds further depth to the category in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 with Ross Whittock on the notes, ensuring an ultra-competitive fight at the front of the field.
BRC3 sees fresh intrigue with the arrival of new international talent, as Chinese driver Junzhe Tang debuts in a Ford Fiesta Rally3. Having largely only contested events at home in a Mitsubishi Evo, Tang makes his first appearance in the UK with co-driver Tsungyu Hsieh.
The Junior British Rally Championship once again promises to be a hotbed of emerging talent, with next year’s BRC entries up for grabs for the champion, a prize worth around £7,000.
Bolstered by the Stellantis Rally Trophy UK, which offers a home for those contenders in the BRC4 category in Peugeot, Lancia or Opel machinery, the champion could well walk away with a prize drive in Hungary in a Rally4 and a Lancia Rally2 test at the end of the season to boot.
Luke Constantine and Ifan Devine spearhead the charge in an Opel Corsa Rally4, with Charlie Mathewson/Josh Carr campaigning Peugeot 208 Rally4 machinery.
Running under the UCRC Rally Team banner, Sam Mason and James Seymour return to continue their progression in the category with teammates Riley Chester/Robbie Sandford, both in Peugeot 208’s. Ben McFall makes the trip from Ireland in a Ford Fiesta Rally4 with Richard Crozier alongside. Meghan O’Kane also steps up to Rally4 specification this season with co-driver Nikki Addison in a Fiesta, marking an important progression in her career.
Beyond the headline categories, the National Rally Title delivers its usual mix of variety and spectacle. Former category winners James Giddings and Aled Davies start their season on home soil in their Mitsubishi Evo to head the charge. John Clayton and Ben Wild are set to entertain in their distinctive Nissan Micra Kit Car, while Alfie Hammond and Harry Walshaw bring Subaru Impreza power to the forests, adding to the diversity of machinery on display.
A new media package for the BRC in 2026 sees the series switch focus to an upweighted online package, with the championship’s social media channels offering the home of on-event coverage and highlights shortly after each rally. Fans will be able to dive into the action throughout the rally weekend or catch up with the review to follow every twist and turn of the 2026 season.
The Severn Valley Stages gets underway with the ceremonial start on Friday [10 April] evening in Llandrindod Wells, before seven action-packed stages test the crews on Saturday. The winners will celebrate their achievements with the podium later in the evening, back in Llandrindod.
