Forest rallying in Wales in 2025 has been thrown into turmoil after the season’s opening two events were cancelled due to storm damage, including a British Rally Championship fixture.
Storm Darragh, which ravaged across mid-Wales in particular, has felled countless trees and left the forest roads further affected by landslips and water damage.
As a result, Natural Resources Wales – the Welsh government organisation that manages the Welsh forests – has withdrawn permission for the first two forest rallies of the season, Rally North Wales due for 29 March and the Severn Valley Stages due to run on 12 April.
The storm, which hit over the first weekend of December, has caused damage greater than anything seen in the past 30 years and the work to clear the forest roads is inevitably going to take some time.
Initial surveys have been carried out by drone, and snow and ice over the New Year period further hampered assessments.
Motorsport UK, the sport’s governing body, has been in extensive dialogue with NRW, and there are hopes that forest rallying in Wales can resume in May with the Plains Rally, which is based in the town of Bala.
Initial reports suggest that forests towards the north of Wales have suffered less damage. However, plans for beyond the end of April are still to be confirmed.
A major casualty of this move is the second round of the BRC, which was due to be part of the Severn Valley Stages in the classic forest stages of Myherin and Hafren.
The British Historic Rally Championship has suffered a double hit as it was scheduled to be part of both events. In addition, Rally North Wales was slated as the second round of the BTRDA Rally Series and both events were due to be counting rounds of the Welsh Forest Championship.
With uncertainty over just when the forests will become available for rallying, both rallies are now cancelled for 2025 and the relevant organising teams are planning to return with their events on the corresponding dates in 2026.
Motorsport UK and Rally4Wales, the organisation that regrades the forest roads after rallies have used them, have both extended offers to NRW to assist in the clearance operation. The twin organisations will be meeting with NRW staff every two weeks for updates on the situation.
At present, options for replacement events are being considered and it is believed that there is a particular need for the BRC to meet television commitments with an event on 12 April.
Championship manager Reece Tarren said: “We are, of course, incredibly disappointed to hear that the Severn Valley Stages has been cancelled.
“From a championship perspective, we will now consider our options carefully and make an announcement in due course.”
Industry rumours suggest that Motorsport UK has several options available for a possible replacement round of the BRC.
The proposed championship schedule starts at the end of February and was due to run across three asphalt events and three gravel rallies.
Midland Manor Motor Club is the event organiser for the Severn Valley Stages and clerk of the course Keith Ashley pointed out that rural communities and businesses will also be impacted by the cancellation of the rally.
Ashley said: “This announcement is a significant setback for the motorsport community and the local region, which greatly benefits from the event.
“The financial impact on Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells and the surrounding areas cannot be overstated.
“We will refocus our energy on the next event and hope everyone will join us in April 2026.”
