2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally - 10-13 Nov 17

Roger Albert Clark Rally is GO!

Posted: November 6, 2017 11:00 AM

One of the most anticipated rallies of the season is nearly here as the Roger Albert Clark Rally (10-13 November) pitches 95 rally crews against the forests of Wales, Northumberland and Scotland.

This epic four-day challenge is the biggest challenge in British special stage rallying for more than 20 years and has a particular focus on cars from up to 1981. A superb field will gather in Leominster, Herefordshire for the start of what will be, for many, the toughest rally of their careers. The rally HQ, including pre-event documentation and technical checks, will be Brightwells in Leominster where spectators are welcome to see the cars from mid-day until 7pm on Thursday (9 November). Admission to Brightwells is free of charge.

Taking this major sporting event to Leominster is expected to put more than £100,000 into the local economy at a quiet time of the year for the tourism industry. Hotels and businesses in and around the town are benefiting significantly from the event, which will deliver at least 1000 hotel nights as well as money into pubs, restaurants, garages and other retailers. Some overseas crews and event officials will arrive in the area during Wednesday 8 November.

The competitive action begins on Friday morning at the historic and spectacular setting of Shelsley Walsh for two short, sharp stages at the fabulous Worcestershire speed hillclimb venue. The action starts from 9.30am with the cars tackling the famous hill in both directions through until around mid-day and spectator admission is just £5 per person.

Then, for the first time in the event’s history, the action moves into the Welsh forests for a day of classic stages including two runs at a challenging 14-mile stage in Radnor Forest. Later the crews head back to Brightwells in Leominster for the end of the day service from around 5.30pm. Then a special transport section will allow the crews to load the cars onto trailers for the trip north to Carlisle, where the rally will be based for three days.

Saturday is a tough day with special stages across Northumberland including the infamous Kielder forest. Sunday is spent in Scotland, while the Roger Albert Clark Rally has a sting in the tail as Monday takes crews into the central block of Kielder forest for another tough leg including two 19-mile stages in Caplestone Fell. The jubilant survivors will finish at the new Kielder Waterside complex from around 2pm on Monday and just reaching the finish will be a mighty achievement.

Of course, the leading crews have ambitions far above simply finishing and whoever leads the field home will have won a huge victory. Three former event winners are at the head of the entry, capped by 2014 victors Matthew Robinson and Sam Collis from Yorkshire. Right behind them will be Northern Irish ace Marty McCormack and co-driver David Moynihan.

Yorkshire legend, and former double winner, Steve Bannister is back this year and the final crew in the big four is the pairing of triple MSA British Historic Rally champions Jason Pritchard (Builth Wells) and Phil Clarke (Church Stretton).

While the big four are likely to set the ultimate pace, there are plenty more crews set to be firmly in the running, including the next six Ford Escort Mk2s. Both Rudi Lancaster (Devon) and Steve Bennett (Ross-on-Wye) have come back to rallying in recent seasons after once being contemporaries of former World Rally Champions, the late Richard Burns. Lancaster will be co-driven by Guy Weaver from Wolverhampton.

Simon Webster (Norwich) and Jez Rogers (Bridgnorth) is another crew in this chasing pack, while a real dark horse is Leominster crew Roger Chilman with and Bryan Thomas. Paul Griffiths (Chester) already has top three Roger Albert finishes in his record and, with co-driver Iwan Jones, will be strong while Alan Walker (Bridgnorth) and John Connor (Halesowen) team up for the first time on Walker’s first event in his Escort since the 2014 Roger Albert Clark Rally.

In the classes for the less powerful historics, crews like Ben Friend/Cliffy Simmons (class D3) and Adam Milner/Roy Jarvis (class C2) are stand-outs and Milner will be slaying plenty of giants if he can find a pace that will get him through to Monday. Heading the Category 1 entry for the pre-1968 cars is the remarkable Bob Bean and co-driver Malcolm Smithson in their freshly prepared Lotus Cortina. Meanwhile, very welcome overseas crews are peppered down the entry, including Christophe Jacob and Isabelle Regnier in their Escort Mk2.

A fabulous array of cars ensures that this event is not just about Ford Escorts and real crowd pleasers include the Lancia Stratos of Steve Perez/Paul Spooner and the Chevrolet-powered Vauxhall Firenza of the evergreen Jimmy McRae and Pauline Gullick. Other popular cars will include the Opel Ascona of Theo Bengry and Les Forsbrook and the Manta 400 of Frenchman Jean-Louis Thizy.

Running alongside the historic element of the event is the Roger Albert Clark Open Rally for all other two-wheel drive cars and the pack is headed by Ludlow’s Henri Grehan and Chris Ridge. Henri is back rallying this year after taking time out with a young family and he will be immediately quick on home ground on Friday. His rivals include Dave Hemingway and Simon Ashton. Hemingway, who celebrates his 50th birthday during the rally, is one of a very select group to have contested every edition of the Roger Albert Clark Rally.

For more details on the rally, please visit www.racrally.org or check the event’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/RogerAlbertClark)

Spectator information is available from the event website and car parking tickets can be bought on the day – please, cash only.

Seeded Entry List

Posted: October 27, 2017 3:29 PM

2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally - 10-13 Nov 17 - SEEDED ENTRY LIST

Shelsley Walsh set for Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: October 22, 2017 5:43 AM

Two spectator stages at the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb will get the 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally off to a spectacular start on Friday 10 November.

Shelsley Walsh in Worcestershire is the world’s oldest motor sport venue using its original course and was first used in 1905. However, the rally will mark a first in the history of the world-famous venue with the Brightwells Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb Special Stages.

Before the rally heads into the Welsh forests, the cars will tackle two special stages on the famous hill climb course. It is believed to be the first time in the venue’s 112-year history that Shelsley has been used competitively downhill.

Following event documentation at Brightwells in Leominster on Thursday, the rally cars will gather at Shelsley Walsh for the start of the rally from around 0900hrs on Friday. The cars will tackle two special stages, both run at 30-second starts, ensuring around three hours of rally action. The first stage will start at 0949hrs.

The opening stage will run from the hill startline to the finish and the second stage will run back down the hill before turning left at Kennel Bend to finish on the gravel access road across the top of the main spectator car park. Several chicanes will be added to the hill to control speed on the descent. Cars will complete both stages in batches of 25 cars.

As well as almost non-stop action on the hill, Shelsley will feature the official rally start, a service area in the main paddock, a re-group control in the orchard as well as the usual catering and toilet facilities.

Ford Escort Mk2 driver Alan Walker (car number 14) is one of the few drivers in the rally with previous experience of competing on the famous hill.
“I’ve been going to Shelsley for years, since I was a little boy,” said Walker. “I competed there in the summer when I shared the Westfield of Jez Rogers, who will be co-driving on the Roger Albert Clark Rally for Simon Webster. It is a fantastic venue and it is the perfect place to start the rally. Running the stage downhill will be a big challenge and I’m really looking forward to it. It will be great for the rally.”

Tickets for the Brightwells Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb Special Stages are now on sale via the event website site (www.racrally.org) at a price of £5 per adult, or tickets can be purchased on the gate. Children under 15 will be admitted free of charge. Public access and parking is via Gate C, which is the first gate on the right when approaching from the north. To get to Shelsley Walsh, just follow the permanent brown road signs.

Spectator information for the Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: September 27, 2017 6:14 AM

Spectator information for the 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally has been announced, with extensive access for fans across most of the special stages on the 10-13 November rally.

With over 100 entries confirmed, including at least 15 from mainland Europe, the event is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about rallies on the year. Competitors will tackle 300 stage miles in Wales, England and Scotland, taking in many classic forest special stages. Final times for the special stages will be published on the event website: www.racrally.org

Spectator tickets are now available for advance purchase. The final date for ordering tickets is Friday 3 November and all passes will be despatched by Saturday 4 November.

Access All Areas Pass

The ‘Access All Areas’ pass is valid right through the event from Friday 10 November to Monday 13 November, giving access to all special stages as well as scrutineering and documentation on Thursday 9 November. It offers access to all car parks and the service areas each day for a total price of £80 per car.

The ‘access all areas’ package includes: event programme, two Personal IDs including two passes for Shelsley Walsh, two rally lanyards, rally sticker, full stage maps and entry list.

Friday 10 November

Passes for Friday are broken down into two types, the Shelsley Walsh pass and the Welsh Forest pass.

The Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb Pass admits to the event start, two special stages (both up and down the classic hill climb course), management service of the cars in the paddock area, merchandise stands, catering facilities and toilets. Entry is £5 per person and a wrist band will be issued to allow access to all spectator areas of the site. Children under 15 are free.

The Welsh Forest Pass incorporates access to the Radnor stage (three car park locations) and the Epynt stage (one car park). The Welsh Forest Pass is £20 per car.

Saturday 11 November

The Kielder Saturday Day Pass is £25 per car and can be used for all stages, including: Shepherdshield (one car park), Whitehill (one car park), Roughside (one car park) and Harwood (two car parks). The Kielder Greenside Service Area is free access.

Sunday 12 November

The Scotland Sunday Day Pass is £25 per car and can be used for all stages, including: Greskine (one car park), Ae East (two car parks), Twiglees (one car park), Castle O’er (one car park), and Craik (one car park). The Lockerbie Lorry Park Service Area is free access.

Monday 13 November

The Kielder Monday Day Pass is £20 per car and can be used for all stages, including: Newcastleton (one car park), Caplestone Fell (three car parks) and Falstone (two car parks).

Spectator programmes
TRMG is producing a 68-page full-colour souvenir programme which will be available from the start at Brightwells Auctions, Leominster and at every car park for £5. Programmes can be pre ordered for £7.50 including postage and packing.

How to buy tickets
Cheques should be made payable to Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club Ltd and sent to:
R.A.C. Rally
Spectator Packs
2 Monroe Avenue
Lindsayfield
East Kilbride
G75 8WA

Credit Card Payments can be taken prior to the event by e-mailing r.a.c.rally@btinternet.com. There will be a charge of £2 for this service.

All passes will be on sale at Brightwells Auctions in Leominster from 12noon on Wednesday 8 November. Payment for all car parks can be made on the relevant car park gate in cash only.

Tickets will be dispatched on Saturday 4 November 2017. No tickets will be posted out after this date; tickets can then only be purchased from Brightwells Auctions in Leominster or the car parks on route.

No refunds will be issued for any stages that are cancelled, whether in advance or on the day. Refunds equivalent to the price of the ticket and booking fees but excluding postage, will only be issued if the entire event is cancelled.

Should you require any advice about ticketing or information about the delivery of your tickets please email r.a.c.rally@btinternet.com

Support events confirmed for Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: September 7, 2017 9:45 AM

* Saturday: Peregrine Print Rally (49 stage miles for £350)
* Sunday: R.A.C. Clubmans Rally (42 stage miles for £325)
* Monday: R.A.C. Kielder Rally (47 stage miles for £325)

The support rallies for the 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally (10-13 November) have been announced and the three one-day rallies will offer some of the best value gravel rallying in the UK with entry fees from as little as £7 per mile.

With the main event less than 10 weeks away, the Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club has confirmed details of the three rallies that will run alongside the main event.

On Saturday 11 November the Peregrine Print Rally will be based from the new Kielder Greenside Car Park and will offer 49 stage miles for £350 over four stages.

On Sunday 12 November the R.A.C Clubmans Rally will be based from Lockerbie Lorry Park and will offer 42 stage miles for £325 over five stages.

On Monday 13 November the R.A.C Kielder Rally will also be based from Kielder Greenside Car Park and will offer 47 miles for £325 over three stages.

Crews who would like even greater value for money can enter all three support events with a total of 138 stage miles for £950. That’s less than £7 per mile at a time when most events have entry fees of around £12 per mile.

The event regulations and on-line entry forms are on the event website, link below.

Mixed surface stage for Welsh leg of Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: August 17, 2017 4:23 AM

The 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally will feature a rare mixed-surface special stage during the opening leg of the four-day rally in Wales on Friday 9 November.

The fifth stage of the Welsh leg will feature 2.5 miles of asphalt, followed by 4.5 miles of gravel on the Epynt stage. For those familiar with the Epynt ranges, the stage will start at the western end of the Burma Road and head to the Llandeilo’r Fan triangle before switching to gravel by joining the stage often known as Route 60.

The first day of competition will start with two special stages at Shelsley Walsh hillclimb, with the second stage running down the hill to mark a first for the 112-year-old motor sport venue near Worcester.

Then crews will head straight into the forests with a demanding 14-mile stage in Radnor providing a big wake up at the start of 300 stage miles over four days. After a 6-mile stage in Gwibedog, the crews will service at the quarry on the Epynt ranges before tackling the mixed-surface Epynt stage. Stages that mix a significant portion of asphalt and gravel mileage are very rare nowadays, and this one has been designed to give crews a taste of the type of stage that was much more common in the heyday of the original RAC Rally.

After the Epynt stage, crews will return to Radnor for a repeat of the 14-mile stage before the end of the leg at Brightwells in Leominster. After a main service halt, the entire rally will head north to Carlisle for the start of the second leg.

“We did a complete route survey of the Welsh stages last week and I was very impressed by the quality of the roads,” said rally manager Colin Heppenstall. “The stages are in beautiful condition. We think the split surface Epynt stage will add a fresh challenge for the crews.”

Brightwells of Leominster to host Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: August 17, 2017 4:21 AM

The Herefordshire town of Leominster will be the focus of British motor sport in November when the 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally is based at Brightwells.

The rally’s involvement in Leominster was officially launched at Brightwells today (15 August) with officials from Leominster Town Council meeting the team at Brightwells and representatives from the Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club.

The expansive facilities at Brightwells on the outskirts of the Herefordshire town will be the base for all pre-event activities on Thursday 9 November and will then host the rally cars at the end of the opening leg on Friday 10 November.

Bringing this major sporting event to Leominster is projected to put more than £100,000 into the local economy at a quiet time of the year for the tourism industry. Hotels and businesses in and around the town are expected to benefit significantly from the event, which will deliver at least 1000 hotel nights as well as money into pubs, restaurants, garages and other retailers. Some overseas crews and event officials will arrive in the area during Wednesday 8 November.

The Roger Albert Clark Rally will be the biggest and toughest special stage rally in Britain for 20 years and has a particular focus on cars from up to 1981. It is expected that around 120 cars from across the UK and Europe will start the rally, which opens with special stages on forest roads in Wales on Friday (10 November). The competing cars will return to Brightwells in the late afternoon of Friday for a main service halt before the entire event moves north.

Brightwells has extensive links with the classic car market as a leading auction house within a business first started in 1846. As well as classic cars, auctions for 4x4s, cars, vans, plant, machinery, fine art and antiques are all part of the business mix at the company’s impressive Easter Court facility.

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall said he was delighted to be starting the rally at Brightwells in Leominster.
“The facilities at Brightwells are perfect for all the pre-event scrutineering and documentation,” said Heppenstall. “The enthusiastic support of everyone at Brightwells has allowed us to bring the event to Leominster and make a significant contribution to the local economy.”

Richard Binnersley, Joint Managing Director of Brightwells, said:
“It will be a hugely exciting weekend for rally fans to enjoy, bringing people in who will follow the event around the country. The business community and Leominster Town Council are very eager to welcome plenty of visitors and are looking forward to providing some of our renowned Herefordshire hospitality and fare to our guests.”

Marshal registration is open for the Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: July 4, 2017 8:30 AM

Marshal registration for the 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally is now well underway and the event organisers are seeking volunteers for a wide range of duties as the route covers 300 competitive stage miles in four days from Friday 10 November to Monday 13 November.

The confirmed route will make the Roger Albert Clark the longest special stage rally in Britain for 22 years. Not since the 1995 Network Q RAC Rally, which featured 317 stage miles, has a UK special stage rally taken in 300 stage miles.

The 32-special stage four-day rally will feature legs in Wales, Kielder and Scotland from November 10-13. The breakdown of competitive mileage in the event includes 44 miles in Wales on Friday, 95 miles in Southern Kielder on Saturday, 94 miles in Scotland on Sunday and a final leg of 68 miles in the central block of Kielder on Monday morning.

As well as stage marshals, the event will need radio crews, stage start and finish crews, passage control marshals and service area teams. Anyone interested in registering for any role with the rally is asked to contact the event staffing officer via e-mail to joyhewson@googlemail.com. More details are at www.racrally.org

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall said:
“We have an incredible route and an overwhelming response from competitors. Now we want to attract as many marshals as possible to be a key part of what it going to be a truly memorable event. We will welcome anyone who is able to help in any way.”

Transport section for Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: June 14, 2017 4:32 AM

The 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally will feature a transport section for the first time when the rally re-locates from Leominster in Herefordshire to Carlisle on the evening of Friday 10 November.

In what is believed to be the first time a transport section will have been used in British stage rallying, the competing cars can be loaded onto trailers for the journey following the end of the event’s inaugural Welsh leg on Friday.

The rally will re-start from Carlisle at 9am on Saturday morning, thus ensuring that all competitors and service crews can make the journey north and have an overnight break before starting day two of the rally.

Some crews will head straight to Carlisle on Friday evening, while others may choose to break the journey in the middle or even head home if they live somewhere between the two rally bases. Competing cars will be subject to re-checks by event scrutineers shortly before the Carlisle re-start.

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall said:
“It makes perfect sense to allow competitors to load up and tow the rally cars to Carlisle. It is more economic and makes for an easier journey than a long road section in a rally car.”

There will be a service area at Brightwells in Leominster at the end of the Welsh leg and crews will be free to plan their journey to Carlisle to suit their own needs. After the service-in control at Leominster, the next control will be the re-start control at Carlisle on Saturday morning.

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 new club web site at www.racrally.org

More route detail announced for Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: May 26, 2017 3:16 AM

Friday November 10
09.45 Start: Shelsley Walsh
09.49 SS1     Brightwells Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb 1
10.20 SS2     Brightwells Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb 2
12.27 SS3     Radnor 1
13.48 SS4     Epynt 1
14.06 Service Epynt
14.39 SS5     Epynt 2
16.24 SS6     Radnor 2
17.27 End of leg: Leominster

Saturday November 11
09.00 Re-start: Carlisle
10.44 SS7     Shepherdshield 1
11.07 SS8     Whitehill 1
11.37 Service Kielder
12.35 SS9     Roughside 1
13.50 SS10   Shepherdshield 2
14.18 SS11   Whitehill 2
14.50 Service Kielder
15.45 SS12   Roughside 2
16.46 SS13   Ogre Hill 1
17.21 SS14   Harwood 1
17.56 Management Service
19.29 SS15   Ogre Hill 2
20.12 SS16   Harwood 2
22.27 End of leg: Carlisle

Sunday November 12
08.00 Re-start: Carlisle
09.34 SS17   Greskine 1
10.12 SS18   Ae East 1
10.40 SS19   Ae West 1
11.18 Service Lockerbie
12.41 SS20   Greskine 2
13.19 SS21   Ae East 2
13.44 SS22   Ae West 2
14.25 Service Lockerbie
15.45 SS23   Twiglees 1
16.15 SS24   Castle O’Er 1
17.06 SS25   Craik 
18.49 SS26   Twiglees 2
19.21 SS27   Castle O’Er 2
20.19 End of leg: Carlisle

Monday November 13
07.00 Re-start: Carlisle
07.49 SS28   Newcastleton
08.29 SS29   Chapelstone Fell 1
09.02 Service Kielder
10.15 SS30   Falstone 1
10.41 Service Kielder
11.49 SS31   Chapelstone Fell 2
12.22 Service Kielder
13.10 SS32   Falstone 2
13.56 End of rally: Kielder Waterside

Entries now officially open for the Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: May 19, 2017 5:35 AM

Following the announcement of the full route for the 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally (10-13 November), the event regulations are now published and entries have officially opened.

Due to the runaway success of the event’s entry deposit scheme, all the 120 places originally made available have been reserved and deposits have been placed by a further 13 reserves. However Rally Manager Colin Heppenstall is keen to point out that anyone who has not yet placed a deposit can still enter and is highly probable to get a place on the rally.

“We know that a number of those who have paid deposits will not be able to finally enter the rally for a range of reasons and we expect a drop-out rate of maybe as high as 15-20%,” said Heppenstall. “So I would urge anyone who wants to do the event to go ahead and enter as I believe we will be able to accommodate them.”

To cope with on-going demand, the total entry for the rally has again been extended to a final total of 130 cars and 20 reserves. Due to event logistics and timings, the entry cannot be extended any further. The Roger Albert Clark Rally is one of the few UK events permitted to run more than 120 cars at night.

The confirmed route has been extended to a total of 300 stage miles, but the entry fee remains at £3500. For those who have lodged deposits to secure a place on the entry list, the next deadline is 31 July 2017 when a further payment of £500 is required to confirm the entry.

Those who elect to the pay the full entry fee by 31 July will benefit from a discount of £250 on the £3500 entry fee. In addition, any fully paid entries at 31 July will go into a draw and one entrant will receive a refund of 50% of the fee, which will be a payment of £1625 to be made by 1 September. The first two completed entries received today (18 May) have both paid the full entry fee and have gone straight into the draw for the 50% refund.

In addition, the rally is offering an extended payment plan and depositors can continue to make additional payments of any amount of £100 or more towards their entry fee at any point.

Regulations and more details:

Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club

Route announced for Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: May 19, 2017 5:25 AM

The organisers of the Roger Albert Clark Rally have revealed a record-breaking 300-stage mile route for the 10-13 November event. The initial plan was for a route of 280 stage miles but the competitor response has prompted an extended rally at the same entry fee.

The confirmed route will make the Roger Albert Clark the longest special stage rally in Britain for 22 years. Not since the 1995 Network Q RAC Rally, which featured 317 stage miles, has a UK special stage rally taken in 300 stage miles. The current Wales Rally GB has a competitive route of around 200 stage miles.

The 32-special stage four-day rally will feature legs in Wales, Kielder and Scotland from November 10-13. The breakdown of competitive mileage in the event includes 44 miles in Wales on Friday, 95 miles in Southern Kielder on Saturday, 94 miles in Scotland on Sunday and a final sting in the tail of 68 miles in the central block of Kielder on Monday morning. The concluding leg will feature two 20-mile and two 12-mile stages.

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall said:
“We were originally planning 280 stage miles but the high level of competitor interest has allowed us to increase this to 300, but still for the published entry fee of £3500.” Already the organisers have received 133 entry deposits for 120 places on the rally.

Heppenstall has already driven the entire competitive route and is delighted with the road conditions.
“Every day will have at least one stage of 14 miles and we’re covering the best gravel rallying areas in the country. Each region has distinct characteristics.”

The provisional 2017 R.A.C. Rally route

Friday November 10
Start: Shelsley Walsh
SS1 Brightwells Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb 1
SS2 Brightwells Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb 2
SS3 Radnor 1
SS4 Epynt 1
SS5 Epynt 2
SS6 Radnor 2
End of leg: Leominster

Saturday November 11
Re-start: Carlisle
SS7 Shepherdshield 1
SS8 Whitehill 1
SS9 Roughside 1
SS10 Shepherdshield 2
SS11 Whitehill 2
SS12 Roughside 2
SS13 Ogre Hill 1
SS14 Harwood 1
SS15 Ogre Hill 2
SS16 Harwood 2
End of leg: Carlisle

Sunday November 12
Re-start: Carlisle
SS17 Greskine 1
SS18 Ae East 1
SS19 Ae West 1
SS20 Greskine 2
SS21 Ae East 2
SS22 Ae West 2
SS23 Twiglees 1
SS24 Castle O’Er 1
SS25 Craik
SS26 Twiglees 2
SS27 Castle O’Er 2
End of leg: Carlisle

Monday November 13
Re-start: Carlisle
SS28 Newcastleton
SS29 Chapelstone Fell 1
SS30 Falstone 1
SS31 Chapelstone Fell 2
SS32 Falstone 2
End of rally: Kielder Waterside

Shelsley Walsh stages for Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: May 13, 2017 4:36 PM

Two spectator stages at the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb will get the 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally off to a spectacular start on Friday 10 November.

Before the rally heads into the Welsh forests for the opening day of action, the cars will tackle two special stages on the famous hill climb course near Worcester. It is believed to be the first time in the venue’s 112-year history that it has hosted a rally special stage and will also be the first time that Shelsley has been used competitively downhill.

Following event documentation at Brightwells in Leominster, the rally cars will gather at Shelsley Walsh for the start of the rally at around 9am on Friday. The cars will tackle two special stages, both run at 30-second starts. After the pair of Shelsley Walsh stages, the rally cars will have a short service halt in the main paddock and a re-group control before heading into the Welsh forests.

The opening stage will run from the hill startline to the finish and the second will run back down the hill before turning left at Kennel Bend to finish on the gravel access road across the top of the main spectator car park. Several chicanes will be added to the hill to control speed on the descent. Cars will complete both stages in batches of up to 30 cars to ensure non-stop action for spectators.

Shelsley Walsh is the world’s oldest motor sport venue using its original course and was first used in 1905. However, this November will mark a first in the history of this world-famous venue with the Brightwells Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb Special Stages.

“We’re delighted to be starting the competitive action of the rally at this iconic motor sport venue,” said rally manager Colin Heppenstall. “It is the perfect location for spectators to come and see the action and we think it will add a real sense of occasion to the event’s first visit to Wales and the Welsh Borders. I’d like to thank Mark Constanduros and the Midland Automobile Club for making this possible.”

Mark Constanduros from Shelsley Walsh said:
“We are really delighted to welcome such a prestigious rally to Shelsley Walsh. This is the first time we have held a competitive rally at the venue, so there is a lot to do, but we are really looking forward to having a different motor sport discipline taking place here. Last year we had Group B rally cars, this year we have Group A and WRC cars and now the year will finish with historic rallying: I can’t think of anything better!”

The complete route for the 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally, along with event regulations, will be launched on Wednesday 17 May.

For more details about Shelsley Walsh, please visit www.shelsleywalsh.com

Carlisle to be second host venue for Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: May 4, 2017 3:36 AM

Carlisle will feature prominently in the route of the 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally and will be the event’s base for days two, three and four of the 10-13 November rally.

The start of the rally, which has now received over 130 entry deposits for 120 places, will be based at Brightwells in Leominster, Herefordshire, for pre-event documentation and scrutineering on Thursday 9 November as well as service at the end of the event’s inaugural Welsh leg (Friday 10 November).

When the Welsh leg is complete, the entire rally will move north to Carlisle where the event will be based for the next three days. The rally base in Carlisle will be at H&H Auctions close to J43 of the M6, which will be home to the rally from late on Friday evening through to first thing Monday morning.

Crews will re-start from Carlisle on the morning on Saturday 11 November and tackle a loop of stages across the southern section of Kielder before finishing back in Carlisle.

On Sunday (12 November) the route will head into classic Scottish stages for another full day before returning to Carlisle for the final overnight halt. Monday’s action will be in the central block of Kielder with an early afternoon finish and prize-giving at the new Kielder Waterside facility in the centre of the Kielder complex. This will allow crews to start their homeward journey by mid-afternoon on Monday.

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall said:
“Carlisle has a long association with the Roger Albert Clark Rally and is the perfect base for the forests of Southern Scotland and Kielder. We’re planning a proper sting in the tail on Monday morning with a couple of long stages and minimal road mileage.”

Brightwells of Leominster to host Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: April 5, 2017 9:36 AM

The 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally will be based at Brightwells in Leominster for pre-event documentation and scrutineering as well as service at the end of the event's inaugural Welsh leg.

The expansive facilities at Brightwells on the outskirts of the Herefordshire town will be the base for all pre-event activities on Thursday 9 November and will then host the rally as cars are serviced at the end of the opening leg on Friday 10 November.

Brightwells have extensive links with the classic car market as a leading auction house within a business first started in 1846. As well as classic cars, auctions for 4x4s, cars, vans, plant, machinery, fine art and antiques are all part of the business mix at the company's impressive Easter Court facility.

The Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club Ltd has arranged the most extensive and far-reaching route in the event's history, starting with over 40 stage miles in Wales on Friday (10 November). The competing cars will return to Brightwells in the late afternoon of Friday for a main service halt before the entire event moves north.

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall said he was delighted to confirm a partnership with Brightwells. "The facilities at Leominster are perfect for all the pre-event scrutineering and documentation," said Heppenstall. "The location right next to the main A49 trunk road is ideal and we are very grateful to everyone at Brightwells for their enthusiastic support of the event."

The influx of competitors, service crews, officials and spectators is expected to inject more than £100,000 into the local economy at a time of year when tourist trade is limited. Hotels in Leominster, Ludlow, Hereford and Worcester are all expected to get a boost in bookings while traders in the town of Leominster will also benefit significantly from the rally. Some overseas crews and event officials will arrive in the area during Wednesday 8 November.

Richard Binnersley, Joint Managing Director of Brightwells, said:
"Brightwells is hugely excited to be asked to host the start of this year's Roger Albert Clark Rally. We have plenty of room and covered area for the competitors and cars, with a cracking little cafe to service the hungry drivers, support crews and spectators, and it's not far from our front door straight into the demanding tracks of the Welsh forests. With the November weather likely to throw in a few challenges and the expected coverage by TV, radio and press, this is going to be a great spectacle to watch and be involved in."

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 new club web site at www.racrally.org

Increased entry for Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: March 8, 2017 10:49 AM

The maximum entry for the Roger Albert Clark Rally has been increased to 120 cars following an overwhelming demand for places on the 10-13 November rally.

When the entry deposit system was announced in mid-February, the plan was to cap the field at 100 cars. However, the response from prospective competitors has far exceeded even the most ambitious expectations and so the rally will now run up to 120 cars.

Despite the increase, deposits have now been taken for nearly all of the available places and a new reserve list will now be started. The current tally is 119 confirmed deposits.

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall reports that the logistics of the rally have been re-worked to accommodate the extra entries, but he still expects that a number of places will become available over the coming months.
"We expect that the drop-out rate could be as high as 20%, so we're going to take 20 reserves at this point. We do not envisage that we will start more than 120 cars in November."

"We have had to re-think the numbers following the amazing response to the deposit scheme," said Heppenstall. "We are still urging intending competitors to place deposits as we think it is probable that most of the reserves will get a place." The order of selection of reserve entries will be at the organisers' discretion.

In the event of a change of plans for a competitor, paid deposits will be refunded in full upon request up to 31 July 2017. The next stage in the entry process will require depositors to complete an entry form and make a further payment of at least STG500 by the end of July. The balance of the entry fee will be payable by 25 October.

In addition, the rally is offering an extended payment plan and depositors can make additional payments of any amount of STG100 or more towards their entry fee at any point.

Deposit rush for Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: March 1, 2017 5:52 AM

The organisers of the Roger Albert Clark Rally have been amazed at the response to the opening of a deposit system for prospective competitors for the 2017 event (10-13 November).

In just 12 days since the initial announcement, 55 deposits have been placed against the 100 available places on the entry list. With at least five more deposits due in the next 48 hours, there are now just 40 confirmed places left. The organisers plan to accept 120 deposits in total, and those between 101 and 120 will be placed on the reserve list.

"We have been overwhelmed with the response to the deposit scheme," said rally manager Colin Heppenstall. "It is a massive boost for the organising team to see such a strong response from prospective competitors. Our research suggests that between 10 and 15% of the people who place a deposit will not go ahead with a full entry for a variety of reasons, so we're going to take 20 reserves at this point."

As well as 55 deposits received and 5 more on the way, the organisers have details of a further 28 crews who plan to enter and another 60 who have expressed serious interest in the rally. It is possible that the overall total of 120 deposits will be reached by the end of March.

Intending competitors can reserve an entry on the event with a deposit of STG300. This will secure a place until 1 August 2017, when a further payment will be required to retain the place. In the event of a change of plans for a competitor, the deposit will be refunded in full upon request up to 31 July 2017.

In addition, the rally is offering an extended payment plan and once the deposit has been paid and competitors can make additional payments of any amount of STG100 or more towards their entry fee at any point from 1 March.

Though yet to be confirmed, the final entry fee is expected to be around STG3500 and competitors can pay the full amount or any part of the amount at any point over the next eight months.

"Once the initial deposit has been paid, competitors can make an additional payment at any time," said rally manager Colin Heppenstall. The deposits will not be touched until 28 days before the start of the rally. Any amounts paid in beyond the initial STG300 deposit can be refunded, in full, without question at any time until 30 September."

Roger Albert Clark Rally News

Posted: February 26, 2017 5:58 AM

The Forestry Commission in Yorkshire has ruled that, due to internal staffing issues and the proximity of another event running in completely different forests, the Roger Albert Clark Rally will not be visiting Yorkshire this coming November.

Colin Heppenstall Rally Manager said: ?It is unfortunate that after discussions over the last six months the Commission has chosen this course of action at this late stage in the organisation of the event.?

Heppenstall continued: ?Even though this is a great disappointment to the organisers in not being able to bring the four-day motor sport spectacular into Yorkshire, I particularly feel for the local community, guest houses and restaurants who will be losing upwards of Ł200,000 income at a time of year that is normally quiet for tourism.?

The event has already identified a completely different route for the Saturday leg and the event will still be offering competitors a total stage mileage of around 280, but unfortunately this won?t include anything within the Yorkshire forests.

Full route details are due to be announced in March.

Deposit / Entries Received

Posted: February 17, 2017 7:02 AM

Available at:

Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club

Deposits open for Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: February 16, 2017 2:14 PM

The organisers of the Roger Albert Clark Rally have created a deposit system for prospective competitors for the 2017 event (10-13 November). The entry for the rally will be capped at 100 cars to help with event logistics.

From 1 March, intending competitors can reserve an entry on the event with a deposit of Stg300. This will secure a place until 1 August 2017, when a further payment will be required to retain the place. In the event of a change of plans for a competitor, the deposit will be refunded in full upon request up to 31 July 2017.

In addition, the rally is offering an extended payment plan and once the deposit has been paid, competitors can make additional payments of any amount of Stg100 or more towards their entry fee at any point from 1 March.

Some crews may use this as a way of paying the entry fee, or part of it, in more affordable elements while European crews may decide to take advantage of the current favourable exchange rate, which makes paying the entry fee at present rates up to 25% cheaper than a year ago.

Though yet to be confirmed, the final entry fee is expected to be around Stg3500 and competitors can pay the full amount or any part of the amount at any point over the next eight months.

"We want to make the event as accessible as possible for as many crews as we can, but we know the entry fee is a big amount," said rally manager Colin Heppenstall. "Once the initial deposit has been paid, competitors can make an additional payment at any time. The deposits will not be touched until 28 days before the start of the rally. Any amounts paid in beyond the initial Stg300 deposit can be refunded, in full, without question at any time until 30 September."

To make a payment, on-line transfers can be made or cheques can be sent to: Rally Office, 2 Monroe Avenue, Lindsayfield, East Kilbride, G75 8WA.

All payments should identify the name of the driver. The account name is: Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club
The sort code is: 80-12-08
The account number is: 06002797
BIC: BOFSGB21024
IBAN: GB09 BOFS 8012 0806 0027 97

To keep up to date with Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club news, you can become a club member for Stg15 annually. This will give you about 20 newsletters over the year plus lots of other news and membership details are available from the new club web site at www.racrally.org - Link below

Jordan prize for Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: February 3, 2017 6:38 AM

One historic rally crew will win a free entry for the Roger Albert Clark Rally in a prize presented by regular competitor Barry Jordan and his businesses, Jordan Road Surfacing and BRM Competitions Dept Ltd.

The winning crew in this year's Northern Historic Rally Championship will receive the award, worth around ?3000, in time to compete on the re-launched Roger Albert Clark Rally (10-13 November). The unique prize is one of the biggest in UK stage rallying.

The Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club Ltd has unveiled the most extensive and far-reaching route in the event's history for the 2017 edition, starting with more than 40 stage miles in Wales on Friday (10 November). The route then heads to Yorkshire, Scotland Kielder as it takes in around 280 stage miles.

Barry Jordan said: "Myself, Peter and James of BRM Competitions Dept Ltd are pleased to be able to offer such an amazing prize of a free entry on the Roger Albert Clark Rally 2017. We are hoping that by providing this prize it will help boost the Northern Historic Rally Championship and also promote the return of the Roger Albert Clark Rally."

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall said: "This is an incredible award and we are very grateful to Barry for supporting the prize. We hope it will give a deserving crew the chance of a lifetime to compete on what we are planning will be the biggest and best Roger Albert Clark Rally to date."

280 stage miles for the Roger Albert Clark Rally

Posted: January 26, 2017 10:40 AM

The organisers of the Roger Albert Clark Rally have revealed an outline route that includes a leg in Wales as part of a 280-stage mile route for the 10-13 November event.

The Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club Ltd has unveiled the most extensive and far-reaching route in the event's history, starting with around 40 stage miles in Wales on Friday (10 November) from a start venue in the Welsh borders.

Saturday's route will include the classic Yorkshire forests before heading north and west into Kielder in a day covering around 100 stage miles. Sunday's route will take in famous stages in southern Scotland before a final 80-mile leg in the main block of Kielder forest on Monday ahead of a mid-afternoon finish. The draft route contains around 280 stage miles.

Negotiations are on-going with towns and cities for the event start, overnight halts and finish and the route is likely to take in several spectator-friendly special stage venues including the asphalt stage at Oliver's Mount near Scarborough.

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall said that he was pleased to include stages in Wales for the first time.
"We've always looked at taking the event into Wales," said Heppenstall. "Now that we are re-launching the rally on a wider platform we felt the time was perfect to include Welsh stages. We think this will add to the appeal for UK crews as well as visitors from Europe."

Heppenstall reported a very busy show as many prospective competitors lodged serious enquiries about the event. "The fresh format, and the plan to run the event every other year, seems to have really captured everyone's imagination," said Heppenstall. "We've been bowled over by the level of interest, even though the rally still 11 months away."

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

2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally initial details announced

Posted: November 17, 2016 7:13 AM

The Roger Albert Clark Rally will be returning to the forests in 12 months' time.

The new event format will be over four days, starting on Friday 10th November and finishing on Monday 13th November 2017.

The four-day format will cover between 250 and 300 stage miles and will once again become the greatest challenge in rallying in the UK, using forests from around the country.

The entry fee will be in the region of 3,000 Stg or 3,600 Euros which can be paid in stages.
The event will be running with subjective route notes and a class structure for those crews who wish to use maps.

For this now biennial event the full format including start, overnight and finish locations with the stages to be used will be announced at Autosport International in January.

Rally Manager Colin Heppenstall said:
"A lot of people didn't think the event would come back into the motor sport calendar. But the motor club always had the intention of bringing the event back to how it all started back in 2004 and bring the true life back into the traditional RAC Rallies of the 1980s."

Heppenstall continued:
"The event format will be long stages, long days and a challenge to both the crew and the service personnel and we hope it will be an event that people look forward to doing and spectating on every two years."

Roger Albert Clark Rally - the future

Posted: June 9, 2016 11:11 AM

The Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club Ltd has taken the decision not to organise an alternative event in November 2016.

The response to the initial announcement about a 100-stage mile event took the club by surprise with the amount of positive feedback from more than 50 people who took the time to write in and I would like to thank each and every one of them. All the comments are read to gauge what the feeling is for the future of the Roger Albert Clark Rally.

It was important for the club not to get into a situation where insufficient entries would be received and the event would have to be cancelled. The cancellation of the 2015 event cost £16,000 and the club needs time to consolidate its finances, not only for the Championships and event it is promoting in 2016 but also for the future in 2017 and beyond.

Work for the 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally is in hand and it is planned that it will become a biennial event. The date we are working towards is 9-12 November 2017 and the event would then run again in 2019.

From many discussions held and feedback received, the outline of the event will be a four-day format offering between 200 and 225 stage miles using forest districts around the country, with stages of a length to challenge the competitors. It is hoped that forest districts in Wales, Yorkshire, Kielder and the Scottish Borders will be used and other forestry areas are also being considered.

It is our intention to make this event open to all vehicle types and it will be available on both subjective route notes and maps.

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 new club web site:

Event Website

Posted: June 9, 2016 11:08 AM

Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club