This year’s Builth Wells-based Nicky Grist Stages on Saturday 13 July will be the first multi-venue stage rally to run as a 2025 National Competition Rules test event.
NCRs represents a move by Motorsport UK towards modernising and improving the accessibility of the rules that govern the sport. The transition to the 2025 NCRs primarily represents a format overhaul with minimal material amendments to the existing regulations. While the essence and standards of the sport remain unchanged, the adoption of a digital-only format and the introduction of discipline-specific ‘Yearbooks’ aim to enhance clarity, accessibility, and navigability for all participants. The revisions ensure that all participants can easily access and interpret the regulations while maintaining the integrity of the sport.
This year’s Quinton Motor Club-organised event celebrates the 15th consecutive year of title sponsorship from Nicky Grist Motorsports and will host six major UK rally championships – the Protyre BTRDA Rally Series, Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship, HRCR Rally Master Challenge, TCS Plant Rally Challenge, ANWCC Rally Championship and the Bowler Defender Challenge.
The event also continues its collaborations with Carbon Positive Motorsport – to provide carbon offsetting for all competitors and organisers event vehicles, as part of a long-term roadmap and commitment to mitigate the events carbon footprint – and GoSafe, the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership.
This year’s compact route bordering the counties of Powys and Carmarthenshire will feature 43 stage miles and just 90 road miles, with two loops of four classic mid-Wales forestry stages. Llyn Login will host the opening morning and afternoon stages, followed by Monument (run in the reverse direction to last year), Halfway (also run in the reverse direction and with a twist towards the end) and a new configuration through Crychan.
Thanks to the magnificent support of Powys County Council, Builth Wells Town Council, Builth Wells RFC and the businesses and residents of Builth Wells, the 2024 Nicky Grist Stages will once again be based in the very heart of the picturesque market town.
As in recent years, the start of the event will be held in Strand Street, outside the wonderful Strand Hall which will play host to rally headquarters. The mid-day service halt will be located on the nearby Builth Wells RFC pitch and the scenic finish ceremony will be in Groe Park, on the banks of the River Wye.
Scrutineering will take place the day before the event (Friday 12 July) at North Road Garage; the local Toyota dealership (owned by Eian Pritchard and his family) is located within sight of the service area on the other side of the River Wye.
“Fifteen years of sponsorship of the rally is a tremendous milestone, and I am delighted to carry on my support of the Quinton Motor Club event and all the great team of people that run the rally so well year-on-year,” says Nicky Grist.
“It will be interesting for a lot of people to learn about the new way in which the event will run under the new National Competition Rules. Things have to move on and change for the better, and I am delighted that Motorsport UK has chosen us as one of its events to introduce the new system before implementation in 2025.
“We once again have some great special stages in perfect condition for the crews to compete on, and hopefully some nice weather to benefit the spectators also. We may have a couple of surprise entries into the event this year, which I am sure will make the spectators very happy!
“I certainly look forward to welcoming everyone to Builth Wells again in July.”
“We look forward to welcoming competitors from six championships to Builth Wells in July and are extremely grateful to the councils and local business who continue to support us,” adds Neil Cross, Nicky Grist Stages Clerk of the Course.
“We have always tried to be innovative and lead by example on the Nicky Grist Stages, so trailing the new National Competition Rules is a logical step to take.”
Further information on the 2024 Nicky Grist Stages is available on the Sportity app (password: QMCNGS24) and nickygriststages.co.uk.
2024 Nicky Grist Stages – Important Dates and Times
Wednesday 1 May – Rally Guide 1 published
Friday 17 May – Regulations published
Monday 20 May – Entries open for registered championship contenders and Quinton Motor Club members
Monday 27 May – Entries open for all competitors
Friday 28 June – Seeded entries close
Monday 1 July – Final Instructions and route details announced
Wednesday 3 July – Final entries close
Friday 12 July, 15:00-20:30 – Scrutineering at North Road Garage
Saturday 13 July, 08.31 – First car starts
Saturday 13 July, 15:30 – First car finishes
