East Riding Rally Stages 2026: Closed Roads, Full Throttle, Proper Yorkshire
The East Riding Rally Stages returned to Beverley on 21–22 February 2026, bringing two days of high-speed motorsport to the heart of East Yorkshire. With ceremonial starts, fan zones, and 14 competitive special stages on closed public roads, the weekend once again positioned Beverley as a focal point in the UK asphalt rally calendar.
What Is the East Riding Rally?
The East Riding Rally is a major annual two-day motorsport event based in Beverley, East Yorkshire. It features high-speed competition on closed public roads, transforming familiar countryside routes into technical asphalt stages.
As a key round of the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship, the event attracts experienced crews from across the country. The rally includes over 14 special stages, running through areas such as Seaton, Rise, and the Westwood, combining fast straights with narrow, technical sections that demand precision driving and disciplined pace-noting.
Saturday 21 February: Ceremonial Start & Westwood Superspecial
The weekend began on Saturday evening with the 18:00 Ceremonial Start at North Bar Within, one of Beverley’s most recognisable landmarks. Spectators gathered as crews were flagged away, engines echoing off historic stone.
At 18:15, attention turned to the Westwood Superspecial Stage, giving fans an early taste of competitive action. The superspecial format allowed for close viewing and an intense, spectator-friendly atmosphere to kick off the rally weekend.
Sunday 22 February: Full Competition & FanZone Atmosphere
Sunday marked the main competitive push.
- 08:30 – Ceremonial Restart at the FanZone in Beverley Saturday Market
- 11:15 – Westwood Superspecial Stage (run again)
- 15:00 – Ceremonial Finish & Awards Presentation at the FanZone
The rally featured 14 special stages, including a new-look, twice-run stage at the Westwood, adding a fresh dynamic to the 2026 format. Running a stage twice often changes the competitive landscape, as crews refine their lines and adapt to evolving road conditions.
The FanZone in Beverley Saturday Market became the weekend hub offering spectators close access to cars, crews, and the awards presentation. It reinforced the rally’s reputation not just as a sporting event, but as a community spectacle.
On Board POV
Adding further insight into the action, driver Jake Briggs and co-driver Harry Walshaw, who secured an impressive 24th overall and 2nd in class, have shared exclusive onboard footage from their East Yorkshire Rally Stages run. The video offers a driver’s-eye view of the pace, precision and teamwork required across the demanding stages, capturing the intensity of competition from inside the cockpit. It provides a fantastic behind-the-scenes perspective on what it takes to navigate the event at speed and highlights the skill behind their strong class result.
2026 Winners
The 2026 East Riding Rally Stages were won by Sam Touzel & Max Freeman, who delivered a composed and competitive performance across all 14 stages.
In asphalt rallying, consistency is as critical as outright pace. Over two days of competition, managing tyre wear, surface changes, and tight stage timing is what separates podium contenders from the rest and Touzel & Freeman executed effectively.
Motorsport, Yorkshire Style
The East Riding Rally continues to demonstrate how major sporting events can integrate into local communities while maintaining elite competitive standards. From historic ceremonial starts to countryside flat-out stages, it blends heritage, speed, and Yorkshire atmosphere.
Closed roads. Fast cars. Big crowds.
That’s how we do it in East Yorkshire.