Roger Albert Clark Rally - 21-25 Nov 19

Running Order / Nightly Reports

Posted: November 21, 2019 5:02 AM

SS3-32
car 31 and cars 145 to 120
5-7 minute gap
Cars 1 to 113

Reseeded every night.

SS1-2 (Thursday Night)
"The first batch of cars (up to 1600cc and Category 1 historics) will all run through the stage twice, starting with the slowest car. This batch of around 30 cars will start SS1 at 17:04. They will then go back in to run SS2 at 17:44 (after a gap of approximately 5 minutes).

After the last car in the first batch there will be a 5-minute gap before the first car in the main field starts SS1 at approximately 18:20. When this car (Marty McCormack is car 1) returns to the start, he will start SS2 after car 40. SS1 and SS2 will then run in tandem, with alternating cars starting at 1-minute intervals.

When the last car on the road starts SS1, the stage starts will drop to 2-minute intervals for cars from approximately car 75 onwards as they enter SS2. The last car is due to start SS2 at approximately 22:30."

The #RACRally Report, Every night at 7pm via @SpecialStageuk - All Links above.

Roger Albert Clark Rally: the preview

Posted: November 18, 2019 2:34 PM

The 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally (21-25 November) will be the best yet as a record entry tackles the 13th edition of this unique rally.

The 2019 event features more days, more stage miles and more competitors and has drawn its most competitive field ever, with at least six serious victory contenders and more than another dozen major contenders.

This is a rally about long days and nights, stages in legendary forests, an un-rivalled atmosphere and a proper adventure for crews, service teams, marshals, spectators and officials. There simply is no other rally like it on the UK rally calendar.

The rally starts in Leominster on Thursday afternoon and crews head straight into the forests with two runs over a nine-mile stage in Radnor in the darkness of Thursday evening. Friday covers classic Welsh stages with another 40 competitive miles on the gravel stages of the Epynt region. In the late afternoon, the entire rally moves north to Carlisle for three days in Kielder and the Scottish borders.

Saturday kicks off with 17 miles in Kershope, which is the start of the rally’s toughest day. Saturday is a challenging 13-hour day with 103 miles in eight stages and 230 road miles. Six of those stages are well over 10 miles long as the route heads east across the southern side of Kielder to Harwood and then back again.

However, Sunday is still a tough day as the rally moves over the border into Scotland. Forty stage miles across double runs of Greskine and Ae come before classic stages like Twiglees and Castle O’Er make up a day of 70 stage miles.

Monday is a proper sting in the tail with another 67 stage miles in the central block of Kielder forest, including two runs through the 17-mile Bewshaugh stage. The final stage of the rally is also the longest to ensure that the result remains in doubt until the end of the last special stage.

The pre-event favourites are within the top six seeds of the main element of the rally, topped by former winners Marty McCormack/Barney Mitchell and Matthew Robinson/Sam Collis. Jason Pritchard returns to his Escort Mk2 for another serious crack at winning one the rally that his co-driver Phil Clarke won in 2012 with McCormack.

The crew that could set the pace on Thursday evening is Roger Chilman and Patrick Walsh. Chilman had a great run to the podium two years ago and has built his 2019 season around this rally. The 2018 and 2019 BHRC champions are next up in Paul Barrett/Gordon Noble and Simon Webster/Jez Rogers. Barrett is new to the event and has done little rallying this season, while Webster was fifth a year ago. Rounding out a quality-packed top 10 are Adrian Hetherington/Andrew Grennan and Alan Walker/John Connor who took a fabulous fourth overall in 2017.

Christophe Jacob and Isabelle Regnier are among the European contenders, along with Swedish ace Arne Backstrom in his potent Volvo 240. From Belgium is Ghislain de Mevius in his fabulous Nissan 240RS and adding more variety are Phil Collins (Opel Ascona), Andrew Siddall (Fiat 131) and Wayne Sisson who brings his freshly-prepared Mitsubishi Galant to class F2.

The leading Pinto-powered Escort Mk2s from class D3 include Stuart Egglestone, Guy Woodcock and Josh Browne. Meanwhile, in Category 2 (for the pre ’75 cars) former winners Stefaan Stouf/Joris Erard head the field. In the other classes in Category 2, Jeremy Easson/Mike Reynolds (Datsun 240Z) top class C4 and Josh Carr/Richard Wardle head the C3 contest of Pinto-powered Escort Mk1s.

The 1600cc historics run in the first pack of cars and in class D2 it is the Escort Mk2s of John Mennell and David Goose to the fore, while in C2 for the earlier 1600s, the Mk1s of David Bennett and Stuart Cariss should set the pace.

The oldest historics, the pre ’68 cars in Category 1, also run at the head of the field and the entry is topped by Bob Bean and Captain Thompson in their Lotus Cortina. Other contenders in Category 1 include Paul Mankin (Porsche 911), Drexel Gillespie (Volvo Amazon) and Malcolm Rich (Ford Anglia).

A key part of the event is the Open Rally, for any two-wheel drive cars of any age. Topping the entry is former WRC driver Gregoire de Mevius in his stunning Toyota Celica and, if he has a clear run, it is hard to see anyone rivalling the Belgian ace.

Former Open winners Dave Hemingway and Simon Ashton are back to maintain their 100% starting record in their Ford Escort Mk2. Ranged against them are 2017 Open winners David Hutchinson and Jeff Garnett who have swopped their Escort Mk2 for a Toyota GT86 this time around.

Finally, running on Sunday only is the Clubmans Rally, with up to 20 cars spread across the main field. Top seeds are the Escort Mk2s of Alistair Brearley and Mark McCulloch.

McCormack mounts Roger Albert Clark Rally hat trick bid

Posted: November 18, 2019 2:31 PM

Draperstown ace Marty McCormack will be on the hunt for his third outright victory at the iconic Roger Albert Clark Rally this week (21-25 November) as he tackles the gruelling five-day event behind the wheel of his Tiger Risk Partners-backed Ford Escort Mk2.

McCormack and co-driver Barney Mitchell will be aiming to make history on the biannual event, as the Northern Irishman bids to be the only driver to win the event for the third time and add to his 2012 and 2017 victories.

The 13th running of the fondly named RAC Rally has attracted a bumper entry of 160 cars and is the toughest yet, with 32 stages and over 300 stage miles on offer, spread across most of mainland UK. Stages in Wales, England and Scotland make up the route, with little rest bite and some of the toughest tests in the country meaning it is regarded as one of the hardest events in the world.

McCormack has enjoyed a buoyant year behind the wheel of both modern and historic machinery with a category win at Rali Bae Ceredigion in his rapid Ford Escort MK2. He also gave the Volkswagen Polo R5 its maiden Irish win on at September’s Cork 20 International in the Dom Buckley RSC housed machine.

After contesting much of the opening rounds of the British Rally Championship, McCormack’s attention quickly turned to the Roger Albert Clark Rally and would ensure his historic seat time was kept at the top of his list with outings in Wales on both Tarmac and gravel. The “one of a kind” RAC Rally is an event like no other and takes months of preparation to be in with a chance of taking victory.

Winning the event last time around in 2017, McCormack is hoping a repeat of that victory is in store this week.

“Winning any rally is absolutely fantastic and gives you a real buzz but winning the RAC [Rally] is something else,” says McCormack.

“You go through so many sentiments during the week and no matter how fit you are, the days are that long and the stages that tough, that it really does get quite emotional come the end of the rally. I’ve had a short pre-event test which went really well, and now I’m fully focused on being at the front from the word 'go' on Thursday, but it won’t be easy”.

A top-quality entry list will head to Leominster on the Welsh border for the rally start on Thursday with any one of the top 30 crews in with a chance of inscribing their names on the winner’s trophy.

McCormack thinks this will be one of the hardest challenges he has faced in his career.

“I know what to expect which is a bonus I guess, but this rally will throw so many surprises at you” he continues. “That can come from the stages to the competition, so you have to try and keep sharp all week long. I`ve had to battle really hard for the RAC Rally wins in the past with drivers such as Malcolm Wilson, so I’m as prepared as I`ll ever be to try and take a third victory. It would be fantastic to be the first to do that”.

The Roger Albert Clark Rally starts with two stages in Radnor Forest on Thursday night, before heading back into Wales on Friday for a tricky leg in stages made famous by the WRC qualifier, Wales Rally GB.

Then, a transport section sees crews tramp to Carlisle for a day in Kielder forest in the Borders on Saturday, before moving into Scotland on Sunday. Monday rounds off the event with another tough day in Kielder before the rally finishes back at Carlisle that evening.

Marty is sponsored by Tiger Risk Partners, P McCormack and Sons Ltd, Ears.ie, Millers Oils, IMF Fabrications, Pirelli and MTec Graphics.

Seeded Entry List

Posted: October 31, 2019 5:11 PM

Roger Albert Clark Rally - 21-25 Nov 19 - SEEDED ENTRY LIST

Entries Received

Posted: October 28, 2019 10:12 AM

www.rallies.info/webentry/2019/rac/

Extended media coverage for 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: October 28, 2019 10:10 AM

The Roger Albert Clark Rally is set to have its most extensive media coverage so far when the 2019 edition runs from 21 to 25 November.

The current entry list stands at 150 cars for the five-day, 32-stage, 300-stage mile challenge and the level of live and on-event coverage has been significantly increased to meet demand for coverage from all over the world.

As for the 2017 event, Matt Cotton will be reporting live via the event’s Facebook page from a range of locations across five days, including stage starts, stage finishes, controls and service areas. The live feed will be at: www.facebook.com/RogerAlbertClark/

Meanwhile, a new feature for the event will be a live studio-style review programme at the end of each day, taking in action footage from that day’s stages filmed by the team at Special Stage and informed commentary from Paul Woodford and Matt Cotton. It is expected that the programme will start at around 7pm each evening.

The statistics from the 2017 event are impressive, with 150,000 video views, more than 50,000 viewers on some live broadcasts and a post reach of 33,000 across 12,500 followers. It is hoped to improve further on those figures in 2019.

“We want to re-create the period RAC Rally feel of William Woollard reporting on the day’s action,” said rally manager Colin Heppenstall. “The live Facebook coverage last time took the event across the world and allowed everyone to keep up to date. We want to take that to an even wider audience this time around.”

More details about the event can be found at the website, link below.

Entries build for 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: April 12, 2019 5:30 AM

The number of confirmed entries for the 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally has now gone past the 100-mark as the next entry deadline approaches on 30 April.

A record-breaking total of 193 deposits have been lodged for the 21-25 November event and prospective competitors are now required to pay a further amount of ?500 and complete the entry form in order to retain their place on the list.

To date, 101 crews have completed this next stage in the process and a further 79 crews are now being urged to meet the 30 April deadline. To date, 13 deposits have been withdrawn and so the entry list now stands at 164 reserved places and 16 reserves. Any crew that does not meet the 30 April deadline may lose its confirmed place to one of the reserves.

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall, from the Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club, said:
"Anyone who has paid the ?300 deposit but now no longer wishes to go ahead with an entry will receive a full refund once they advise us accordingly. If anyone is planning to withdraw their deposit, we are keen to hear from them.

He also want to remind everyone that 30 April is a key date and to retain their place, crews need to pay a further ?500 and complete the entry form. We will re-work the entry list on 1 May to reflect the current situation. We are very grateful to everyone for their interest and support for the rally: the response to the event is beyond our wildest expectations!"

Entries open for 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: February 14, 2019 6:08 AM

The event regulations and entry forms for the 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally have been published. This is the catalyst for payment of the next instalment of the entry fee for the 165 crews who currently have reserved places for the 21-25 November event.

Now, to retain their place on the entry list, depositors are required to lodge a further payment of £500 and complete and return the entry form by 30 April 2019. If that does not happen, they will move to the reserve list and their place in the 165-field will be passed to the next up to date reserve entry. There are currently 25 crews on the reserve list.

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall, from the Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club, said:
“We are realistic about the number of cars that will actually start the rally and we know we will lose some crews, for all sorts of reasons, now that the next deposit payment is due. Anyone who has paid the £300 deposit but now no longer wishes to go ahead with an entry will receive a full refund once they advise us accordingly. If anyone is planning to withdraw their deposit, we are keen to hear from them.

“April 30 is the next important date as we are asking for a further £500 and completed entry forms from crews. We currently have 25 crews on the reserve list and I am confident we will have space for all of them, and probably some more.”

In summary:

1) The 165 crews currently assured a place need to pay a further £500 and submit an entry form by 30 April to retain their place.
2) Those on the reserve list also need to pay a further £500 and submit an entry form by 30 April to retain their place on the reserve list and then move up if a place becomes available.
3) Any crews with a reserved place they no longer intend to use should confirm this to the organisers as soon as possible to receive a full refund.
4) Any crews wishing to enter but not yet on the reserve list should submit an £800 deposit and an entry form as soon as possible to take the next place on the reserve list.

Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club

2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally tops 180

Posted: February 14, 2019 6:07 AM

The organisers of the 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally have now received 184 entry deposits as interest in the event continues unabated.

To cope with demand, the entry total has been extended to 160 cars as well as 10 reserves for the five-day, 32-stage, 300-stage mile challenge, which will run from 21 to 25 November 2019.

Recent additions to the deposit list include another five crews from Belgium and two more from France as well as 2016 Silver Fern Rally winner Meirion Evans. The revised 160 capacity includes 25 places for non-UK crews, all of which are now taken.

Event regulations and entry forms are due to be released during February, and this will be the catalyst for the next instalment of the entry fee. To retain their place on the entry list, crews will be required to lodge a further payment of £500 by 30 April 2019. If that payment is not made, they will move to the reserve list.

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall, from the Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club, said:
“The response continues to eclipse anything we have experienced before in the previous 12 Roger Albert Clark Rallies. However, we are realistic about the number of cars that will actually start the rally and we know we will lose some crews, for all sorts of reasons, when the next deposit payment is due.

“April 30 is the next important date as we are asking for a further £500 from crews. We currently have 24 crews on the reserve list and I am confident we will have space for all of them, and probably some more.”

2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally route unveiled

Posted: January 10, 2019 6:25 AM

The wraps have come off the route for the 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally, with full details of the 32 special stages planned over five days of rallying when the 13th edition of the rally runs from 21 to 25 November 2019.

With 300 gravel special stage miles across Wales, Northumberland and Southern Scotland, the 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally will be the longest and toughest UK special stage rally for more than two decades.

Competitor reaction to the biennial event has been unprecedented since the entry deposit system was opened in late September and a total of 173 deposits have now been placed for a maximum field of 150 cars. However, the organisers expect that all the current reserves will gain a place in a final field of around 130-140 starters.

The event start will be based at Brightwells in Leominster, where documentation will be held on Wednesday and Thursday before the opening leg of the rally on Thursday evening. After a full day of classic gravel stages in Wales, a transport section will take the rally cars to Carlisle on Friday evening. The rally will then be based in Carlisle until the finish on Monday afternoon.

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall said:
“I’m very pleased to unveil the detailed route, more than 10 months ahead of the rally. The response from competitors has been overwhelming and I certainly expect a record number of starters. We are now starting the marshal recruitment process and we are keen to hear from any marshals who would like to be involved for one day or more.”

The provisional route (subject to change) is:

Thursday November 21
18.00 Event start: Leominster
19.05 SS1 Radnor 1
20.15 SS2 Radnor 2
22.15 End of leg: Leominster

Friday November 22
07.31 Restart: Leominster
09.30 SS3 Cefn 1
10.10 SS4 Gwibedog 1
10.25 Service: Epynt
11.01 SS5 Epynt 1
11.30 SS6 Halfway 1
11.45 Service: Epynt
12.25 SS7 Cefn 2
13.00 SS8 Gwibedog 2
13.20 Service: Epynt
13.55 SS9 Epynt 2
14.20 SS10 Halfway 2
14.30 End of leg: Epynt

Saturday November 23
08.00 Restart: Carlisle
09.05 SS11 Kershope 1
09.50 SS12 Ash Park
10.45 Service: Carlisle
12.05 SS13 Kershope 2
13.40 Service: Carlisle
15.10 SS14 Clintburn
15.40 SS15 Chirdonhead
16.10 Service: Kielder
17.55 SS16 Harwood
19.30 SS17 Pundershaw
20.35 SS18 Paddaburn
22.10 End of leg: Carlisle

Sunday November 24
08.00 Restart: Carlisle
09.05 SS19 Greskine 1
09.40 SS20 Ae 1
10.35 Service: Lockerbie
12.10 SS21 Greskine 2
12.50 SS22 Ae 2
13.45 Service: Lockerbie
14.55 SS23 Twiglees 1
15.25 SS24 Castle O’er 1
16.15 SS25 Craik
17.50 SS26 Twiglees 2
18.20 SS27 Castle O’er 2
19.45 End of leg: Carlisle

Monday November 25
07.00 Restart: Carlisle
08.00 SS28 Newcastleton
08.55 SS29 Falstone 1
09.35 Service: Kielder
10.15 SS30 Bewshaugh 1
10.45 Service: Kielder
11.25 SS31 Falstone 2
12.05 Service: Kielder
12.35 SS32 Bewshaugh 2
15.00 Event finish: Carlisle/Brampton

Split field for Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: November 28, 2018 3:05 AM

Category 1 historic cars and all up to 1600cc entries will run at the head of the field on the 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally.

The biennial event will take full advantage of the recent changes to running order made by Motorsport UK (formerly the MSA) to give the older and lower powered cars the best road conditions over the 300-stage mile route on the 21-25 November 2019 event.

When the event last ran in November 2017, the running order rules at the time dictated that the entire field ran as one block of cars seeded in performance. The last car on the road was the 1300cc Lancia Fulvia of Steve and Tony Graham. In 2019, the glorious Fulvia will be among the first cars over the gravel stages.

The plan is to reverse seed the first group of cars, so that the fastest car from this group will start each stage followed by a short gap before the top seeded car in the main field. With many stages planned at between 10 and 15 miles, particular attention will be paid to the running order and time gaps.

In 2017, 11 cars from the Category 1 and 1600cc division started the rally, while the list of deposits received for the 2019 event includes more than 20 cars from this group.

While the event has strong support from the historic fraternity, the concurrent Open Rally is open to any Motorsport UK log-booked two-wheel drive rally car, and all up to 1600cc modern cars will be eligible to run in the first group.

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall said:
“It makes perfect sense to take advantage of the changes to the running order rules and run the older and less powerful cars at the head of the field. We’ve already got a good entry from this group, including some cars and drivers that will be new to the rally, and I hope this confirmation will encourage more of these cars to take part.”

For those who have paid a deposit, a second payment of £500 will be due before the end of April 2019. A third payment of £500 will be required before the end of August, which is the final date for withdrawing deposits less a £50 administration fee.

Full payment of the entry fee must be received by 1 November 2019. It is expected that the final entry fee will be no more than £3,700 for 300 stage miles. Full details of the entry deposit system can be found on the event website.

2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally heads towards capacity

Posted: November 14, 2018 7:11 AM

The initial entry list for the 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally is rapidly heading towards capacity with 116 crews having placed deposits against entries for the 21-25 November 2019 event.

With just over a year to go to the start of the rally, 116 deposits have been paid and at least six more are expected imminently. The 130 available places are likely to be taken by the end of November, with a further 20 places held for overseas crews. Once a total of 150 deposits have been taken, a reserve list will be started for the rally organised by the Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club.

The five-day, 300-stage mile route will form the longest and toughest stage rally in Britain for more than 20 years. While the event has strong support from the historic fraternity, the concurrent Open Rally is open to any MSA log-booked two-wheel drive rally car.

Rally Manager Colin Heppenstall says the competitor response has exceeded all expectations. “The Roger Albert Clark is a unique rally on the British schedule and it is clear that many crews are seeking a real challenge. We’ve had a brilliant response and we’ve already got a really strong entry list. It is still early days for the overseas crews but we’re hoping to get 20 of them and are currently in discussion over a team of four cars from Holland.”

An initial deposit of £300 will reserve a place for the first 130 depositors, while a second payment of £500 will be due before the end of April 2019. A third payment of £500 will be required before the end of August, which is the final date for withdrawing deposits less a £50 administration fee.

Full payment of the entry fee must be received by 1 November 2019. It is expected that the final entry fee will be no more than £3,700 for 300 stage miles. Full details of the entry deposit system can be found on the event website.

No Yorkshire leg for 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: November 2, 2018 6:42 AM

The final draft of the route for the 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally has been confirmed and will not feature a leg into Yorkshire.

The organising team had hoped to take the rally back into the Yorkshire forests during the Saturday leg of the 21-25 November rally, but the Forestry Commission Yorkshire Forest District has rejected the request on the grounds that: ‘the event is too close to the Malton Stages’.

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall had always planned two options for the Saturday of the rally and will now press ahead with a leg based out of Carlisle and taking in some of the best stages across the southern fringe of Kielder forest in what promises to be one of the toughest days of rally. Current plans are based on over 100 stage miles in a tough 12-hour day.

The rally will also feature increased mileage in Wales and will cover 60 miles of prime forest stages before an earlier finish on Friday afternoon. It is planned that that the first competitors could be on the way north to Carlisle from before 4pm. As pioneered on the 2017 event, the journey north will be a transport section so that rally cars can be taken on trailers.

“Obviously we are disappointed not to be taking the rally back to Yorkshire, but we must accept the decision of the forestry district,” said Heppenstall. “However, this does allow an easier journey for the teams to Carlisle on Friday evening, where the rest of the rally will be based.”

Competitor response to the 2019 rally has been outstanding and over 90 deposits have now been placed.
“To have 90 deposits over a year ahead of the event is remarkable,” said Heppenstall. “Importantly, the great majority of those entries are from crews that we know and so the potential for drop out is relatively low.”

Full details of the entry deposit system can be found on the event website - link below.

Competitors rush to 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally / Entries Received

Posted: October 3, 2018 2:33 PM

Competitors from across the sport have given plans for the 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally an overwhelming response following the opening of the entry deposit scheme 10 days ago.

Already, 60 crews have lodged deposits to secure one of the 130 initial places on the entry list for the 21-25 November 2019 event. In addition, marshals, suppliers and fans have given the event a massive thumbs’ up after Rally Manager Colin Heppenstall revealed a five-day, 300-stage mile route for what will be the longest and toughest stage rally in Britain for more than 20 years. While the event has strong support from the historic fraternity, the concurrent Open Rally is open to any MSA log-booked two-wheel drive rally car.

“The response has been amazing,” said Heppenstall. “For an event that is 14 months away, there has been a rush to secure a place. Importantly, the great majority of the crews placing deposits are known to us as previous competitors, so we know that they are very serious about doing the rally.”

The organisers are initially taking 130 £300 deposits, with a further 20 places reserved for overseas crews. Any deposits over 130 will go on a reserve list. “Experience suggests that we will eventually lose a number of depositors, so those on the initial reserve list are still likely to get a place,” said Heppenstall.

“As well as the competitor response, we’ve been bowled over by the reaction from officials, marshals and fans,” added Heppenstall. “Importantly, trade suppliers and potential commercial partners are very positive about the rally, which is really good news as running an event of this scale is an enormous undertaking, both in terms of logistics and finances.”

An initial deposit of £300 will reserve a place for the first 130 depositors, while a second payment of £500 will be due before the end of April 2019. A third payment of £500 will be required before the end of August, which is the final date for withdrawing deposits less a £50 administration fee. Deposits are now open.

Full payment of the entry fee must be received by 1 November 2019. It is expected that the final entry fee will be no more than £3,700 for 300 stage miles. Full details of the entry deposit system and entries received can be found on the event website:

Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club

2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally will be the toughest yet

Posted: September 20, 2018 4:02 PM

The 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally will be the toughest yet, with 300 stage miles in five days of rallying when the 12th edition of the rally runs in November 2019.

After the runaway success of the 2017 edition, Rally Manager Colin Heppenstall has confirmed that the 2019 rally will build on that success when it runs from 21 to 25 November 2019. While the event has strong support from the historic fraternity, the concurrent Open Rally is open to any MSA log-booked two-wheel drive rally car.

The draft route takes in around 30 special stages and 300 competitive stage miles covering Wales, England and Scotland. The event will again start from Brightwells in Leominster, which will also be the base for documentation and scrutineering. The rally will start at 6pm on Thursday for a leg of more than 20 miles in the Welsh forests in the dark. A further 40-45 miles will run in Wales on Friday with a planned finish from 2.30pm, allowing crews an earlier start on the transport section north.

Saturday’s route remains to be confirmed as there are two options, depending on final availability of forests. The first option takes in some classic Yorkshire forest stages before heading north and west to finish the leg at Carlisle. The second option is a re-start from Carlisle for a day of stages in the southern section of Kielder.

Sunday will be a full day of around 100 stages miles in southern Scotland before Monday’s sting-in-the-tail leg of another 70 miles in the central block of Kielder, before an afternoon finish in the Carlisle/Kielder area.

“We have listened to competitor feedback from the 2017 event and have planned the toughest UK rally for two decades,” said Heppenstall. “An earlier finish on Friday will allow crews an easier journey north and we will shortly confirm which route option we are taking for Saturday. The signs are that people are already preparing for the rally and we think there will be strong demand for entries.”

There will be a maximum field of 150 cars, with 20 of those spaces reserved for overseas crews. An initial deposit of £300 will reserve a place for the first 130 depositors, while a second payment of £500 will be due before the end of April 2019. A third payment of £500 will be required before the end of August, which is the final date for withdrawing deposits less a £50 administration fee. Deposits are now open.

Full payment of the entry fee must be received by 1 November 2019. It is expected that the final entry fee will be no more than £3,700 for 300 stage miles. Full details of the entry deposit system can be found on the event website.

2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally announced

Posted: January 19, 2018 9:49 AM

The organisers of the Roger Albert Clark Rally have revealed outline details of the 12th edition of the rally, which will run in November 2019.

After the runaway success of the 2017 edition, Rally Manager Colin Heppenstall has confirmed that the 2019 rally will build on that success by following a broadly similar format. The provisional date is 21-25 November 2019, but this remains provisional subject to the date of Wales Rally GB.

Heppenstall’s outline plan is for an event covering between 250 and 300 stage miles across four days with legs in Wales, Kielder and Scotland. The rally will start from Brightwells in Leominster, which will also be the base for documentation and scrutineering. Meanwhile, there will be a new finish venue on Monday afternoon within easy reach of Kielder Forest.

“We were overwhelmed with the hugely positive feedback from the 2017 event; from competitors, marshals and spectators,” said Heppenstall. “So we are not going to re-invent the wheel. However, of course, there will be lots of detail changes and we plan to introduce some new stages to ensure the rally remains fresh.”

A deposit system for entries will be set up and deposits will be taken from July 2018. More details will be announced in due course.

To keep up to date with Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club news, you can become a club member for £15 annually. This will give you about 20 newsletters over the year plus lots of other news and membership details are available from the club web site:

Club Website

Posted: January 19, 2018 9:48 AM

Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club