Five days. 360 miles. And some of the UK’ s most spectacular and challenging gravel stages. There really are very few rallies in the world like the Roger Albert Clark( R A C). This bucket list biennial event has been challenging competitors since 2004, recreating the‘ golden era’ of rallying with delightful machinery and a route spanning South Wales to Scotland.

“ There’ s nothing in Great Britain that comes anywhere near it,” admits organiser Colin Heppenstall.“ Even around the world there’ s only really the Silver Fern Rally in New Zealand and the East Africa Safari Rally that offer anything similar – and we are unique in offering gravel stages through the forests, rather than closed road tarmac.”

As a result, the rally draws in many international competitors, with entries from many European nations as well as Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the United States. It is also popular for first timers, with nearly half of those taking part stepping up from regular club and national rallying events to take on a bigger challenge.

Brian Kinghorn, one of three Deputy Clerks of the Course, says:“ It’ s really tough – which competitors love – and the atmosphere is unlike any other event. Wales Rally GB, and the Lombard RAC Rally before it, were always on the bucket list to do at least once from a clubman’ s point of view and this event has taken over from them.”

It is now so popular that it has special dispensation to allow up to 200 entries – 20 more than most – and Heppenstall concludes:“ The adventures people have on the event – dads taking sons out, grandfathers taking grandkids out, families of spectators in the crowds, that enjoyment, camaraderie and friendship is what it’ s all about.”

14

The front-running Co-driver

Sion Williams

After competing in local road rallies at the age of 14, Sion was reading pace notes on Wales Rally GB national just two years later. He progressed through the junior levels alongside Ioan Lloyd and after reading notes for three-time British Rally Champion Matt Edwards at the start of last year, the pair teamed up to take on the R A C.

“ We did a lot of preparation for this event. Matt went through DVDs and notes, I tidied the notes to suit him then we went through each stage again together. I also created maps for each day on Google, including the road sections, that’ s also important.

“ On the first pass of Sweet Lamb / Hafren, we had a puncture and an electrical issue. The conditions were also deceiving, with sheet ice, so we lost over six minutes. The event had barely started, and it was difficult to keep motivated, but we decided to focus on the podium and on the very last day we started sixth, set four fastest stage times and ended up third.

“ It was very special to be part of something so big. The ceremonial start in Carmarthen town centre, with the square so full of people, gave me a real buzz and by the end of this marathon event my head was fried! Climbing onto the podium on my first R A C adventure is something that I’ ll cherish forever.”

Sion Williams reads the notes for Matt Edwards

Revolution- February 2026

Russ Otway