The Voly Grampian Forest Rally will take another bold step forward in 2025, as the Banchory-based event continues to evolve into one of the premier gravel rallies in the UK. Running on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 August, this year’s rally builds further on the successful two-day format introduced in 2024, with even more to offer competitors and fans alike.
With 56 competitive miles across the premium forest roads of Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire, a brand-new gravel spectator stage, enhanced fan engagement zones, and an unrivalled roster of championships, the 2025 edition promises to be a true celebration of British rallying in one of its finest natural settings.
The event is sponsored by Voly Crew Solutions, which rebranded from Voyonic in late 2024 following its acquisition by Voly Group, a leading software company in the yachting industry. The move aims to reshape the maritime industry’s financial and crew management landscape.
The rebrand reflects the integration of Voyonic into the Voly Group portfolio and signals a unified approach to delivering best-in-class payroll and employment services across the maritime sector.
Three major rally series will once again converge in the north-east of Scotland, as the Probite British Rally Championship (BRC) returns for a second consecutive year alongside the ultra-competitive Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship (SRC) and the ever-growing Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK.
Organisers Stonehaven & District Motor Club have once again raised the bar with a revamped stage itinerary that now becomes its longest event in recent times, combining brand-new tests with much-loved favourites, while maintaining the Grampian’s reputation for smooth, flowing roads.
As 2024, the rally kicks off on Friday evening with a dramatic double-header in the Fetteresso Forest complex, offering spectators their first glimpse of the high-speed action as dusk falls over the pine-lined stages.
Saturday sees the rally head north once again in the morning, echoing the route from last year before turning southward through the heart of Grampian rally country. A newly added EMCO Spectator Stage at BA Barn in Kintore provides fans with an exciting new opportunity to witness the action up close.
Designed specifically for spectators, this gravel stage offers superb visibility, extensive on-site parking, full facilities, and a live Coast Radio broadcast link, making it one of the most accessible and engaging rally spectator points in the UK.
Later in the day, the rally returns to iconic tests in Durris, Fetteresso, and Drumtochty, but even here, fans will see new enhancements. A brand-new viewing area in Durris has been created thanks to recent forest harvesting work, opening up some of the most spectacular sight lines the event has ever offered, complete with easy parking and welcoming atmosphere.
The King George V Park Rally Zone will once again act as the central hub for fans, and in 2025, it’s set to be even bigger and better. In a move designed to enhance public engagement, scrutineering will now take place in King George V Park in Banchory on Friday morning, allowing fans to get a rare close-up look at the technical side of rallying as teams prepare for battle.
All the competing cars gather late Friday afternoon for the Ceremonial Start, before heading into the evening stages. Spectators will enjoy a dedicated 30-minute window where drivers and co-drivers meet the public, sign autographs, take photos, and soak in the pre-stage excitement.
Across the weekend, the Rally Zone will be visited twice by the cars and will enjoy catering stalls, club and sponsor displays, commentary, and more. It will also be the location for the official prize-giving ceremony, with the top crews returning for podium celebrations and champagne spray after the final stage.
Despite the world-class stage quality, the rally remains one of the most affordable events of the season in terms of entry fee per mile – a welcome gesture to support competitors during a time when rally budgets are increasingly stretched.
Shortly after the rally, a one-hour highlights programme will be broadcast on ITV4, ITV4+1, and ITVX, offering a polished showcase of the event and the region to a national audience.
“We’re immensely proud of how the Grampian Forest Rally has developed in recent years, and for 2025 we’ve worked incredibly hard to refine and enhance every element,” said Clerk of the Course Graham Provest.
“From the creation of all-new stages and spectator areas to improving access, facilities and fan zones, we’re committed to building an event that showcases the best of Scottish rallying while keeping things fresh for both fans and competitors. The continued support from Voyonic has been vital, and the introduction of partners like EMCO shows the growing stature of the rally on a national scale. A huge thank you to all our supporters who help make the rally happen.”
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to Banchory this August for what we believe is going to be one of the most exciting editions of the event to date.”
Neil Carrington – Managing Director, Voly Crew Solutions said;
“Voyonic has been a supporter of the Grampian Forest Rally for many years, and we are delighted to be continuing this relationship under our new identity of Voly Crew Solutions Limited.
“Our vision to be the leading supplier of offshore employment and payroll services to the marine industry remains unchanged and with the power of the Voly Group behind us this goal is now even more attainable.”
Entries will open at 19:00 on Monday, 30th June.
Further spectator and event details will be released in the coming weeks via the event website and social media platforms.
