Since its last running in 2019 though, the forests have fallen silent. The withdrawal of funding from the Welsh government – where the rally has been based in its most recent iteration – has meant the WRC has steered clear of Britain while running new events in Estonia, Croatia and Ypres.
Now however, after five long years and counting with no top-tier rally action on British shores, plans are afoot to bring Rally GB back in a new Scottish guise for 2026.
For decades, the mud-splattered finale of the World Rally Championship was the only way to end the season, a thrilling charge round the UK long after F1 and other series had called time on that year’s respective campaigns.
In the 1990s and 2000s it was Colin McRae and Richard Burns who were the home round heroes, and in more recent years Elfyn Evans and Kris Meeke, cheered on by diehard enthusiasts lining the special stages.
In this month’s magazine, David Evans analyses what happened to the iconic event and what chance there is of its return, with Motorsport UK CEO Hugh Chambers saying he’s confident a comeback can be secured.
Late WRC legend Colin McRae blasts through the Welsh forests in 2001
DPPI
“In terms of direction of travel, we’re in a good position and we’ve got good momentum,” he says. “The focus of our attention is Scotland, but as with all these things in creating major sporting events, you’re never there until it’s done.”
