Category: News

Double BTRDA champion Ricky Evans returns to the Nicky Grist Stages in his title-winning Peugeot

Double BTRDA Gold Star champion Ricky Evans will return to this year’s Nicky Grist Stages (Saturday 11 July) in the very same Peugeot 205 GTI that carried him to successive championship titles in 1994 and 1995.

The 66-year old driver from Tamworth last drove the car on the event (which was then called the Quinton Stages Rally) back in 1995. Seeded at car number one, Ricky won both the BTRDA Gold Star category and Class A7 that day and finished 11th overall.

Having converted the 1.9-litre Peugeot to full Group A spec in the early 1990s, Ricky restored the Peugeot to its former glory for the 2021 Roger Albert Clark Rally and has competed on selected events ever since.

The Nicky Grist Stages has always been one of Ricky’s favourite rallies, thanks to its classic mid-Wales forest stages such as Monument, Crychan, Halfway and Route 60. And he’ll be aiming for an enjoyable, trouble-free run in the famous Heated Windscreen-backed Peugeot.

“After I restored the Peugeot 205 GTI about five years ago it’s like new now, except it’s not new,” says Ricky.

“The gearbox is old, the engine is old, and I’m old – but the Nicky Grist Stages was always a favourite event of mine, and I’m returning to have a bit of fun!

“I’m not as quick as I used to be, unfortunately, but that comes with age, I’m afraid. You think you’re quick, until you see the stage times! I used to be able to finish in the top ten overall on a BTRDA round in the 205, and I’d be lucky to finish in the top sixty now.

“This car came about when Peugeot sponsored the BTRDA Series and Mick Linford [Peugeot Sport UK Motorsport Manager] supplied me with all the parts to build a Group A Peugeot 205 GTI, on the proviso that I went out and tried to win the championship – which I did. It wouldn’t have happened without Peugeot UK’s help. They were very good to me. Mick said that he couldn’t give me any money, but I could look through the used part shelves and help myself to whatever I wanted. So that’s what I did, and I’ve kept the car ever since.

“I did one event last year and damaged the engine. I was a bit despondent because I’d had the car for so long and it had never let me down before. It took me a while to find the motivation to fix it. I then did the Severn Valley Stages and that didn’t go so well either because the new engine wasn’t as good as I’d hoped it would be.

“So, we’ve made more changes and I thought it would be great fun to do the Nicky Grist Stages.

“Ian Butcher, my co-driver at the time, and I always used to thoroughly enjoy the event back in the day. It’s never wet or cold, the stages are fantastic, and it’s always been part of the BTRDA Series – which to me has always been the best championship for the clubman.

“I’m looking forward to seeing old friends on the event, having a lot of fun and hopefully getting to the finish without any problems.”

Based in Builth Wells, this year’s event will feature 44 competitive stage miles, a ceremonial start on Strand Street, a service area on the Builth Wells RFC pitch and a champagne finish beside the River Wye.

The Quinton Motor Club-organised event celebrates 17 consecutive years of title sponsorship from Nicky Grist Motorsports and in 2026 will be a round of six major championships – the Protyre Autocare BTRDA Rally Series, Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship, HRCR Rally Master Challenge, Kingfisher Insurance Motorsport English Rally Championship, TCS Plant Rally Challenge and ANWCC Rally Championship.

Entries for the 2026 Nicky Grist Stages are now open via rallies.info.

Seeded Entries Close on Friday 26 June and Final Entries Close on Wednesday 8 July.

Picture by Mark Griffin.

Nicky Grist Stages helps create a climate-safe haven for Giant Sequoias

Since 2022, the Nicky Grist Stages has partnered with Carbon Positive Motorsport as part of its long-term commitment to reducing and mitigating the event’s carbon footprint.

Carbon Positive Motorsport will once again work with the Nicky Grist Stages in 2026, continuing a partnership that helps one of Britain’s best-known gravel rallies take practical and credible climate action.

The Quinton Motor Club-organised rally takes place on Saturday 11 July and will once again be based in Builth Wells, with the service area at Builth Wells RFC / Groe Park and the rally action taking place on classic mid-Wales gravel stages.

Through the partnership, the Nicky Grist Stages has helped to support environmental projects that combine long-term carbon capture with wider benefits for nature, biodiversity and climate resilience.

How the Nicky Grist Stages is helping create a climate-safe haven for Giant Sequoias

Through Carbon Positive Motorsport, the Nicky Grist Stages has helped to support the Abergavenny Sequoia Project, contributing towards the planting of 1,500 Giant Sequoias and 6,000 native broadleaf trees.

Managed by The Great Reserve organisation, the Abergavenny Sequoia Project is a major UK environmental initiative designed to establish a climate-safe haven for endangered Giant Sequoia trees.

Giant Sequoias are among the largest and longest-living tree species in the world, but they are under threat from climate change, drought and wildfires, making conservation projects such as the Abergavenny initiative increasingly important.

The project ultimately aims to establish up to 100,000 Giant Sequoias across protected UK sites, creating a long-term carbon capture resource while safeguarding the future of one of the world’s most iconic tree species.

Henry Emson, Founder of The Great Reserve, says that the Abergavenny Sequoia Project combines species conservation with long-term carbon capture: “As a dual-purpose project covering both the conservation of an endangered species and large-scale, long-term carbon capture, we are already going beyond what many carbon projects offer,” he explains.

“There is no question that our planting methods and long-term plans are far more beneficial to the ecology of our sites than what was there before – a monoculture of non-native conifers. By planting three natives per sequoia at our sites, and a plan to thin out our planted nurse crop conifers, we will create a site far more biodiverse than we found,” he added.

“This project will, I expect, take us 10 years more to deliver all 100,000 Giant Sequoias, possibly longer – but the trees, all on owned land, will be protected long after that.”

For Carbon Positive Motorsport, the scale, longevity and monitoring of the project is vital. Giant Sequoias continue growing throughout their life, which can last centuries – which is why protected, well-managed sites such as Abergavenny have the potential to deliver long-term carbon capture.

Research into UK-grown Giant Sequoias shows why the species is a significant long-term carbon capture tree. A 2024 study estimated that they can sequester around 85kg of carbon per tree per year, depending on age, climate, location and management. In CO2 terms, that is roughly equivalent to locking away the carbon contained in just over 300kg of carbon dioxide each year as the tree grows.

Neil Cross, Clerk of the Course for the Nicky Grist Stages, said: “The Nicky Grist Stages is proud to have worked with Carbon Positive Motorsport since 2022. The rally is based in a beautiful part of mid-Wales, and while our focus is always on delivering a safe, enjoyable and competitive event, we also recognise the importance of reducing and mitigating our environmental impact wherever we can.

“Carbon Positive Motorsport gives our competitors a straightforward way to take responsibility for the carbon generated by their participation in the rally, while supporting credible projects with long-term environmental value.”

Steve Smith, Carbon Positive Motorsport Director, added: “The Nicky Grist Stages has been committed to this work for several years, and that consistency really matters. Motorsport has a responsibility to understand its impact and take practical steps to reduce and mitigate it.

“Our partnership shows that climate action does not have to sit separately from the sport. It can be built into the way events are organised, communicated and supported by competitors, marshals and spectators.”

Carbon Positive Motorsport helps anyone involved in motorsport to measure, reduce and take responsibility for carbon emissions. Its approach focuses on credible action, using tonnes of CO2e as the proper measure of carbon impact, while also supporting environmental projects that deliver wider benefits beyond carbon alone.

Through its work with events such as the Nicky Grist Stages, Carbon Positive Motorsport enables rallying to take credible climate action in a practical and measurable way.

The 2026 Nicky Grist Stages will once again give competitors, marshals and spectators the opportunity to take responsibility for the carbon generated by their journey to and from the rally.

You can mitigate and offset your carbon impact for every litre of fuel you use at https://www.carbonpositivemotorsport.com/purchase-offsets

It only costs a little to make a big difference for the sport, so whether you’re a competitor, marshal or spectator, why not join with us to help make motorsport sustainable.

David Spear Commercial Vehicles returns as official car supplier to the Nicky Grist Stages

David Spear Commercial Vehicles will continue its support of one of Britain’s most popular gravel rallies after confirming a second successive year as the official vehicle supplier to the Nicky Grist Stages (Saturday 11 July).

Last year the award-winning, family-run commercial vehicle supplier, which was established in 1987 and is based at the Crown Business Park in Dukestown, near Tredegar, supplied two four-wheel drive Ford Rangers, which were ideal for use as the official Motorsport UK Safety Delegate and Double Zero vehicles.

This year the partnership will once again see vehicles supplied to help run the rally, which takes place on the famous gravel stages of the Epynt military ranges near Builth Wells.

The vehicles will play an important role throughout the event, transporting officials, supporting the organising team and helping to ensure the rally runs smoothly and safely across its demanding stages.

For David Spear Commercial Vehicles, the partnership provides an opportunity to support a major sporting event in mid-Wales while demonstrating the capability, durability and versatility of its vehicles in a real working off-road environment.

“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with the Nicky Grist Stages and support one of the UK’s most respected gravel rallies,” says Elliott Spear, Head of Purchasing at David Spear Commercial Vehicles.

“Last year proved what a fantastic event it is, and it was pleasing to see our vehicles playing an important role in helping the rally run safely and efficiently.

“As a Welsh business, it’s particularly rewarding to be involved with such a high-profile event in mid-Wales, while also demonstrating the capability and versatility of our vehicle range in a demanding working environment.”

“We’re delighted that David Spear Commercial Vehicles has chosen to continue its support of the Nicky Grist Stages,” says Neil Cross, Nicky Grist Stages Clerk of the Course.

“The rally relies on a large team of officials and volunteers, and having access to a reliable fleet of vehicles is essential to the smooth and safe running of the event.”

Based in Builth Wells, with the start ceremony on Strand Street, the service area on the Builth Wells RFC pitch and the champagne finish on the banks of the River Wye, this year’s Nicky Grist Stages will feature a compact route of around 44 competitive miles.

Competitors will tackle the Monument, Crychan (named ‘Bowlsey’ in honour of the late Pete Bowles – a long-time Quinton Motor Club committee member, previous Nicky Grist Stages winner and Clerk of the Course), Halfway and Route 60 stages.

Entries for the 2026 Nicky Grist Stages are now open and available at rallies.info.

Seeded Entries Close on Friday 26 June and Final Entries Close on Wednesday 8 July.

30 years on: Andy Burton recalls the Alfa-Ferrari’s final rally victory

One of British rallying’s most legendary specials, Andy Burton’s extraordinary Alfa-Ferrari, claimed its final rally victory 30 years ago on what is now the Nicky Grist Stages.

As four-wheel drive machinery began to dominate, the famous Herefordshire farm shed-built Alfa-Ferrari had already been retired from competition and the defending BTRDA champion had switched to a Metro 6R4 for the 1996 season.

At the same time, Andy was building his Peugeot 306R4 and, because the new car was designed around the engine, the Metro’s powerplant had to be transferred into the new spaceframe, leaving him without a car for the second half of the season.

So the V8-engined Alfa-Ferrari was brought out of retirement for the Nicky Grist Stages – then known as the Quinton Stages Rally.

After five stages in Cefn Llwydlo, Caeo, Lady Megan, Trawscoed and Crychan forests, Andy and co-driver Rob Morgan finished 16 seconds clear of Matthew Clark/Robert Dyson in an Escort RS Cosworth, with Adrian Struthers/Graham Hopewell third in an Escort Mk2.

Andy drove the Alfa-Ferrari just once more, and the stretch of road where the 3-litre V8 engine expired at 125mph on the Woodpecker Rally has been known as Conrod Straight ever since!

And as for the Alfa-Ferrari, that has sat untouched in a barn for the last 30 years.

“A friend in a local village had a written off Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint and parked next to it was a written off Ferrari 308 GTS. I thought ‘that Ferrari engine in the back of that Alfa would make an amazing rally car,’ and that’s how the Alfa-Ferrari started,” said Andy.

“I thought I could make the car look something like a Lancia 037, a car I loved, so we built a spaceframe and put the engine in the back.

“The car’s first rally was a local twelve car event. We ended up helping a fellow competitor get to the finish, and he said it was the fastest he’d ever been towed in his life!

“We took the car into the forests and found that the V8 wasn’t the fastest engine – until we swapped the carburettors for fuel injection!

“Being rear-wheel drive, the car was very hard on tyres. If it was an eight-mile stage, we couldn’t go flat-out for the first three miles otherwise there’d be no rubber left. We were running 16-inch tyres, which were the biggest we could get in diameter.

“I remember the 1996 Quinton Stages Rally because we’d moved on to building the Peugeot 306R4 and the Alfa-Ferrari had been retired. Four-wheel drive was taking over, so while we were building the Peugeot we’d started the season in a Metro, which was so quick. But with the Metro’s engine now in the Peugeot, we found ourselves without a car, so we wheeled out the old two-wheel drive Alfa again.

“We were just one second ahead of Matthew Clark after three stages but had a good push through the final two stages. Given the age of the car, I was surprised we won.

“We did the Woodpecker after that and since then the car has sat untouched in a barn. I took the front suspension off it to use on some farm machinery, but apart from that the Alfa is as it finished the 1996 season. It’s now parked next to the Peugeot 306R4. I’ll never sell the cars, as they’re part of the family and remind me every day of the great times we had rallying.”

This year’s Builth Wells-based Nicky Grist Stages takes place on Saturday 11 July and features a challenging 44 stage miles route on gravel roads in Monument, Crychan (named ‘Bowlsey’ in honour of the late Pete Bowles, a long-time Quinton Motor Club committee member, former Nicky Grist Stages winner and Clerk of the Course), Halfway and Route 60.

The Quinton Motor Club-organised event celebrates 17 consecutive years of title sponsorship from Nicky Grist Motorsports and in 2026 is a round of six major championships – the Protyre Autocare BTRDA Rally Series, Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship, HRCR Rally Master Challenge, Kingfisher Insurance Motorsport English Rally Championship, TCS Plant Rally Challenge and ANWCC Rally Championship.

Entries for the 2026 Nicky Grist Stages are now open and available at rallies.info.

Seeded Entries Close on Friday 26 June and Final Entries Close on Wednesday 8 July.

Event enquiries please contact:
Neil Cross (Clerk of the Course): clerk@nickygriststages.co.uk
Helena Mayall (Secretary of the Meeting): secretary@nickygriststages.co.uk
Claire Cross (Entries Secretary): entries@nickygriststages.co.uk
Tru Concannon (Chief Marshal): marshals@nickygriststages.co.uk

Ian Evans

It is with enormous sadness that we have learned of the passing of our dear friend and long-time Chief Marshal, Ian Evans, following a long and incredibly brave battle with cancer.

Ian was one of the true unsung heroes of the Nicky Grist Stages, working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure all the stages and every time control were fully marshalled. He refused to let his illness get him down, and he continued to work on the event with unwavering enthusiasm, dedication and good humour.

Ian’s legacy will live on, for he had already arranged for his daughter Tru (who has worked on the event for many years) to take over as Chief Marshal. We are extremely grateful and humbled by this incredible family gesture.

But that was Ian. A master planner. A person you could 100% rely on.

Our thoughts are with Deb, Tru, Ruan and family at this incredibly difficult time.

Thank you for everything, Ian. The Nicky Grist Stages will never be the same without you.

Fantastic Nicky Grist Stages route promises a fast and exciting challenge, says Nicky Grist

Nicky Grist believes this year’s Nicky Grist Stages (Saturday 11 July) will deliver one of the event’s best routes yet, with smooth, fast and demanding stages set to provide a great challenge for competitors.

And as a rally legend with 21 FIA World Rally Championship event wins – including two RAC Rally victories with Juha Kankkunen (1993) and Colin McRae (1997) and three Safari Rally wins (all with McRae) – there is no questioning Nicky’s knowledge and experience when it comes to evaluating special stages!

This year’s Quinton Motor Club-organised event celebrates 17 consecutive years of title sponsorship from Nicky Grist Motorsports.

Nicky founded the company in 1995 (whilst he was still co-driving for Kankkunen in the Toyota Castrol Team Celica GT-Four) and within 10 years Nicky Grist Motorsports had become the place to go in the UK for Stilo helmets and intercoms and other top-level motorsport safety equipment such as tailor-made and off-the-peg race suits, HANS/FHR devices, fireproof underwear, co-driver equipment, Lazer LED lights, race and rally seats, awnings, garage accessories and much more. It now also has its own exclusive NG branded products.

Each year Nicky offers Nicky Grist Stages entered competitors a discount on selected items, delivered free of charge to the event’s service area on the eve of the event.

This year’s Builth Wells-based Nicky Grist Stages will be a round of six major championships – the Protyre Autocare BTRDA Rally Series, Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship, HRCR Rally Master Challenge, Kingfisher Insurance Motorsport English Rally Championship, TCS Plant Rally Challenge and ANWCC Rally Championship.

There will be around 44 stage miles in Monument, Crychan (named ‘Bowlsey’ in honour of the late Pete Bowles, a long-time Quinton Motor Club committee member, former Nicky Grist Stages winner and Clerk of the Course), Halfway and Route 60 – with crews tackling the four stages in the morning, before repeating the loop in the afternoon following a midday service halt on the Builth Wells RFC pitch.

As usual, road mileage will be kept to a minimum, guaranteeing an action-packed day for competitors, marshals and spectators.

“Neil Cross and his team have put together a fantastic route for this year’s Nicky Grist Stages – it will be another great challenge for all the crews, and a route that everyone will enjoy,” says Nicky Grist.

“We have the four favourite stages of the rally, with most of it run in different directions. At least 50% of the route is run on roads not used last year, and there is a new finish to Route 60 – so there will be a lot to look forward to.

“The road conditions are really smooth, so a fast rally is in store.

“It promises to be another fantastic event, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all in Builth Wells in July.”

“Working with Nicky, with his wealth of rallying experience, ensures that we can configure the very best stages on the gravel roads on the Mynydd Epynt military range and Crychan forest complex,” says Neil Cross, Nicky Grist Stages Clerk of the Course.

“Keeping the Nicky Grist Stages route fresh also guarantees we can offer an exciting new challenge each year.”

2026 Nicky Grist Stages – Important Dates and Times
Sunday 17 May, 18:00 – Regulations Published
Monday 18 May, 18:00 – Entries Open
Friday 26 June – Seeded Entries Close
Monday 29 June – Final Instructions and Route Details Announced
Wednesday 8 July – Final Entries Close
Friday 10 July, 15:00-20:30 – Scrutineering, Groe Park (Service Area)
Saturday 11 July, 08.31 – First car starts
Saturday 11 July, 15:30 – First car finishes

The perfect match as Builth Wells RFC’s pitch plays host to the Nicky Grist Stages

Located on the banks of the River Wye, the Nicky Grist Stages service area is one of the most picturesque in British rallying – and thanks to the tremendous support of Builth Wells RFC, this year’s event on Saturday 11 July will once again be based on the hallowed turf right in the centre of the scenic mid-Wales market town.

Having previously been based at the nearby Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, the Quinton Motor Club-organised Nicky Grist Stages moved fully into the centre of Builth Wells in 2019, relocating its Rally Headquarters to the fully renovated Strand Hall on Strand Street and the service area onto the Builth Wells RFC pitch at Groe Park.

The move would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and vision of local councillor Jeremy Pugh, a former Chairman of Builth Wells RFC, and the outstanding support of Powys County Council, Builth Wells Town Council and the wonderful independent businesses and residents of Builth Wells.

Builth Wells Mayors – Councillors Gwyn Davies, Alan Waller and Mark Hammond – have all flagged the rally cars away from the start on Strand Street and awarded trophies at the finish – with the River Wye, Builth Wells’ famous 18th Century bridge and surrounding rolling hills providing a stunning champagne spraying podium backdrop.

With an average of more than 130 cars entered over the last four events, the Nicky Grist Stages attracts several thousand visitors to the area – including competitors, service crews, officials, marshals and spectators. As a result, the rally continues to make a significant economic contribution to Builth Wells and the surrounding region.

The temporary closure of Strand Street for the start and midday regroup also helps prevent rally traffic from causing inconvenience to residents on the main roads and in the Groe car park.

This year’s rally action will take place on nearby gravel roads in and around the Mynydd Epynt military range, with morning and afternoon loops through the popular and challenging Monument, Crychan (named ‘Bowlsey’ in honour of the late Pete Bowles – a long-time Quinton Motor Club committee member, previous Nicky Grist Stages winner and Clerk of the Course), Halfway and Route 60 stages.

The 2026 Nicky Grist Stages will be a round of six major championships – the Protyre Autocare BTRDA Rally Series, Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship, HRCR Rally Master Challenge, Kingfisher Insurance Motorsport English Rally Championship, TCS Plant Rally Challenge and ANWCC Rally Championship.

“As Chairman of Builth Wells RFC, I am immensely proud to see the Nicky Grist Stages Rally utilising our pitch as its base,” says Lucas Evans.

“It’s a fantastic example of how our facilities can serve not just the club, but the wider community, particularly during the rugby off-season.

“Events like this bring real energy into the town supporting local businesses, attracting visitors and showcasing Builth Wells at its very best. It’s great to see our grounds playing a part in something that has such a positive economic and social impact.

“We’re delighted to support the rally and look forward to continuing to work together in ways that benefit both sport and the community as a whole.”

“It’s great to see the Nicky Grist Stages use our pitch as its base,” added Builth Wells RFC Captain Ashley Mills.

“It brings a real buzz to the town, supports local businesses and makes good use of the pitch when we’re not playing. We’re proud to play a small part in such a fantastic event.”

“Being a local rally, I always enjoy the Nicky Grist Stages,” says Castrol MEM Rally Team driver Meirion Evans.

“It’s not just the magnificent mid-Wales stages that make the event so special, but the great atmosphere in the host town of Builth Wells. It’s a great service area for people to visit, and the Builth Wells RFC pitch works extremely well for us as a team – as everyone is in one place and there is plenty of room to service the cars.”

“The complete move of the rally from the Royal Welsh Showground to the centre of Builth Wells has been a tremendous success,” says Nicky Grist.

“The town benefits far more from the thousands of people visiting and working on the rally, with shops, pubs and restaurants all gaining from the extra footfall. The use of the rugby field has been a tremendous success; the location is ideal for the rally’s needs but also adds a real atmosphere for all the crews and mechanics on the Friday and Saturday of the rally. I would like to send a big thank you to Builth Wells RFC and the local councils, and hope that we continue our fantastic relationship into the future.”

“Bringing the Nicky Grist Stages into Builth Wells from its previous base in the showground was an obvious choice,” says Neil Cross, Nicky Grist Stages Clerk of the Course.

“From our first meeting with Jeremy Pugh, we were made to feel very welcome and our relationship with Builth Wells RFC and the town has gone from strength to strength. The rugby pitch is ideally located and offers us plenty of room for our competitors. We are grateful to the rugby club for its continued support.”

2026 Nicky Grist Stages – Important Dates and Times
Sunday 17 May, 18:00 – Regulations published
Monday 18 May, 18:00 – Entries Open
Friday 26 June – Seeded Entries Close
Monday 29 June – Final Instructions and Route Details Announced
Wednesday 8 July – Final Entries Close
Friday 10 July, 15:00-20:30 – Scrutineering, Groe Park (Service Area)
Saturday 11 July, 08.31 – First car starts
Saturday 11 July, 15:30 – First car finishes

Picture by Mark Griffin.

Classic mid-Wales stages set to provide thrilling 2026 Nicky Grist Stages challenge

This year’s Nicky Grist Stages will feature a challenging 44 stage miles route on gravel roads in and around the Mynydd Epynt military range on Saturday 11 July, including new competitive sections designed to keep the mid-Wales event fresh and exciting.

Monument will open the event, followed by two classic stages on the Carmarthenshire-Powys border – Crychan (named ‘Bowlsey’ in honour of the late Pete Bowles, a long-time Quinton Motor Club committee member, former Nicky Grist Stages winner and Clerk of the Course) and Halfway. The final stage of the loop will be Route 60, which returned last year after a seven-year absence, before all four stages are repeated in the afternoon.

As usual, road mileage will be kept to a minimum, guaranteeing an action-packed day for competitors, marshals and spectators – whether watching from official stage side viewing areas or following the action via the Special Stage TV live streaming service.

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 2026 Nicky Grist Stages will once again be based in the heart of the picturesque market town – with the start in Strand Street, the finish on the banks of the River Wye and the service area on the Groe.

The event will also continue its collaboration with Carbon Positive Motorsport, which in recent years has supported the planting of more than 1,500 sequoia and 6,000 native broadleaf trees in Abergavenny, as well as GoSafe, the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership.

Official rally spectator car parks will be manned by volunteers from Tirabad Village Hall and Brecon Rotary Club, with funds raised going directly to both organisations.

“The Nicky Grist Stages is always one I look forward to every year,” says the reigning Protyre BTRDA and Pirelli Welsh Rally Champion Matthew Hirst.

“It’s a proper drivers’ rally – fast, technical and with a brilliant atmosphere. It usually attracts some big names as well, which adds a real intrigue for spectators and makes it even more rewarding for anyone who manages to win it. It’s great to see the organisers continuing to evolve the route while keeping what makes it so special.”

“It is another year and yet another Nicky Grist Stages, and as always the team have put together another great route which covers all of the classic stages that so many crews love to compete on,” says Nicky Grist.

“I have my fingers crossed that we can have another glorious day up on the ranges, when normally the weather adds another challenge for the crews in managing the hot and dry conditions. I look forward to seeing you all in Builth Wells in July.”

“There are always challenges when planning a rally route and this year has been no exception,” said Neil Cross, Nicky Grist Stages Clerk of the Course.

“That said, we are blessed to have so many fantastic stages near the rally base in Builth Wells, and we have been able to create a route, on both NRW and MOD land, which we trust will be both challenging and enjoyable for our competitors. We’ll also ensure competitors continue to get value for money by offering more stage miles for the lowest possible entry fee.”

Nicky Grist Stages awarded Motorsport UK Sustainability Accreditation

The Nicky Grist Stages has achieved Motorsport UK Sustainability Accreditation in recognition of its efforts to reduce its environmental impact in a structured and credible way.

Event organisers Quinton Motor Club successfully demonstrated its environmental policies, action plans and measurable progress in relation to a variety of features including tracking and reducing carbon emissions, waste management and recycling, promoting responsible fuel and energy use, encouraging sustainable travel for competitors, officials and spectators and going paperless wherever possible.

The Builth Wells-based rally also enjoys a long and successful collaboration with Carbon Positive Motorsport, which in recent years supported the planting of over 1,500 sequioa and 6,000 native broadleaf trees in Abergavenny.

This year’s Nicky Grist Stages takes place on Saturday 11 July.

William Creighton wins a scorching Nicky Grist Stages!

William Creighton scorched to victory on the Nicky Grist Stages (Saturday 12 July), when he won the event for the first time in his Castrol MEM Rally Team Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.

Builth Wells Mayor Cllr. Mark Hammond flagged the cars away from the start of the Quinton Motor Club organised event from outside Strand Hall, as 142 crews headed out for the morning loop of four stages in Monument, Route 60, Halfway and Bowlsey (Crychan).

Co-driven by Liam Regan, number one seed Creighton had the benefit of a dust-free road – offset by the challenge of trying to find grip on the loose gravel surface. He nevertheless set a clean sweep of fastest stage times to arrive at the mid-day service halt on the Builth Wells RFC pitch with an 11.1 second lead. Conditions were a lot more abrasive in the afternoon, and Creighton, balancing tyre management and speed to perfection, held on to win the 45-stage mile event – beating team-mate Meirion Evans by just 2.6 second.

“We were here to learn, but it’s great to win,” said Creighton.

“It was great to score a one-two for the team and it’s another tremendous result for Melvyn Evans Motorsport. A big thank you to the team, to Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and to everyone who supports us. It’s a real privilege to drive the Castrol Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 and it was great to start the Nicky Grist Stages as car number one and finish as number one!”

Evans lost 12 seconds with a spin on the opening stage – with most of the time lost contributed to the car failing to engage reverse gear. That ultimately cost him and co-driver Dale Furniss victory, but the Welshman was delighted by what he considered to be his best performance on gravel.

Despite picking up a couple of punctures, Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear held second for much of the event. A charging Evans demoted them to third on the eighth and final stage – although the Škoda Fabia R5 crew scored top Protyre Autocare BTRDA Rally Series and Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship points.

Osian Pryce led the hotly contested Historic section from start to finish in his first rally in a Wales Motorsport supplied Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2. Co-driven by Phil Pugh, the 2022 British rally champion finished 12th overall, first 2WD and won the BTRDA Silver Star section.

The first Quinton Motor Club crew home was Martin and Tommi Meadows, who finished seventh in class and 43rd overall in their Peugeot 208 R2.

Over 300 volunteer marshals made sure that the event ran safely and smoothly. Each received a HSE compliant individual First Aid kit, Brace’s Bakery Welsh Cakes (supplied by Jonathan Brace who, co-driven by Paul Spooner, won Class H1 in his Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1) and plenty of bottles of water supplied by Nicky Grist.

The rally attracted thousands of visitors to Builth Wells and the surrounding Powys and Carmarthenshire region. The event is indebted to the wonderful support received from Powys County Council, Carmarthenshire County Council, Builth Wells Town Council, Builth Wells RFC, the businesses and residents of Builth Wells, Gwyn Davies of Penmaenau Farm, Dyfed Powys Police and the landowners – Natural Resources Wales and Defence Infrastructure Organisation Wales – on which the stages ran, in making the event such a huge success.

The event also ran in collaboration with Carbon Positive Motorsport, GoSafe (the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership) and Motorsport UK’s National Motorsport Week.

David Spear Commercial Vehicles was the event’s official car supplier and supplied two magnificent Ford Ranger Wildtrak vehicles – perfect for use by the Motorsport UK Safety Delegate and as Double Zero safety car.

“In these exceptionally hot weather conditions, everyone’s a winner on this year’s Nicky Grist Stages – the marshals, officials and the crews,” said Nicky Grist.

“There was a tremendous battle for victory, and any one of the top three could have taken the win as they entered the final stage. In the end it was a fantastic one-two result for Melvyn Evans Motorsport and an impressive BTRDA and Welsh Championship win for Matthew Hirst.

“The event has once again been a great success and Builth Wells has done us proud. The service area on Groe Park really brings the event into the centre of town and the support we have from the local community is exceptional.”

“Huge congratulations to our event winners, William Creighton and Liam Regan,” said Neil Cross, Nicky Grist Stages Clerk of the Course.

“On behalf of Quinton Motor Club, I’d like to say a massive thank you to all our competitors for taking part in such a successful event and to the army of officials and marshals who performed superbly in the hot weather conditions. Without you, the event wouldn’t have run so thank you.

Action from the 2025 Nicky Grist Stages is available to view on the Special Stage TV Facebook and YouTube channels, plus specialstage.tv.

The 2026 Nicky Grist Stages will take place on Saturday 11 July.

2025 Nicky Grist Stages – top 10 finishers
1. William Creighton/Liam Regan (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)….44mins 11.9secs
2. Meirion Evans/Dale Furniss (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)….44mins 14.5secs
3. Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear (Škoda Fabia R5)….44mins 21.5secs
4. Jason Mitchell/Paddy McCrudden (Škoda Fabia R5)….44mins 56.8secs
5. Callum Black/Jack Morton (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….45mins 13.8secs
6. Elliot Payne/Patrick Walsh (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….45mins 27.5secs
7. Alexander Vassallo/Chris Lees (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….46mins 02.0secs
8. James Giddings/Aled Davies (Mitsubishi Evo 9)….47mins 04.6secs
9. Vivian Hamill/Lorcan Moore (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….47mins 28.9secs
10. Dan O’Brien/Niall Burns (Ford Fiesta Rally 2)….47mins 36.1secs

The full set of results can be found here:

https://results.btrdarallyresults.co.uk/results/index.php?EventID=734&e=734&ls=2&simple