The Down Rally will return in 2026 as one of the selected rounds for the UK Asphalt Rally Championship.
A new date has also been confirmed for the penultimate Round 6, with the Down Rally moving from mid-July to 22 August.
The Rathfriland Motor Club-organised event is famous for its incredible Northern Ireland closed road stages, including the legendary Hamilton’s Folly, and they’ll play a pivotal role in determining the overall and class titles next year.
The 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship is set for a magnificent seven-round showdown spanning England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and the Isle of Man – with the calendar featuring familiar favourites (some with new dates, new routes and/or new formats) and an exciting brand-new event location to guarantee a fresh and exhilarating challenge for every competitor.
The UK’s premier sealed-surface series is once again run and promoted by the BTRDA and retains its inclusive class structure, designed to welcome the greatest variety of cars and drivers of all abilities who want to challenge themselves on some of Britain’s best asphalt stages.
Protyre Motorsport – the largest UK supplier of Pirelli, Michelin and Hoosier motorsport tyres – proudly continues as the championship’s title sponsor for an unprecedented ninth consecutive season.
The championship format sees the best five scores from seven rallies count towards the end-of-season points tally, with no double-header rounds.
The 2026 Protyre Asphalt season launches into action on 21/22 February with the East Riding Stages Rally.
2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship
R1 – 21/22 February….East Riding Stages Rally
R2 – 8/9 May….Manx Rally
R3 – 22/23 May….Borders Competitions Jim Clark Rally
R4 – 19/20 June….Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally
R5 – 25/26 July….Tour of Epynt
R6 – 22 August….Down Rally
R7 – 19/20 September….Hills Ford Stages
