Some 200 cars line up for arguably the best historic rally anywhere in the world – the 2025 Roger Albert Clark (RAC) Rally, named after the legendary British driver.
Monmouthshire and Forest drivers and cars will be among those taking on five long gruelling days rallying through Wales, Northumberland and Scottish Borders, with the small West Wales town of Carmarthen once again host to the race.
Four-time Roger Albert Clark (RAC) Rally winner Marty McCormack says he starts November’s event aware of the fact he is taking a step into the unknown with an all-new car.
A winner of the marathon gravel event in 2012 and again in 2017, 2019 and 2023, McCormack is switching to an historic-specification BMW built by the Netherlands’ MATS BV.
Seb Perez is preparing to take part in the distinguished Roger Albert Clark Rally, driving the famous Lancia Stratos HF GR4 rally car.
He recently won the FIA European Historic Rally in Finland this year and was crowned the British Historic Rally Champion of 2024.
Hollie McRae is about to make her rally driving debut – 30 years to the day since her father Colin McRae became world rally champion.
She will make her driving debut at Kielder Forest in Northumberland for the Mini Challenge on Saturday with partner Jon Armstrong calling the notes.
The rally will again start from the West Wales town of Carmarthen, with event documentation and scrutineering on Wednesday, November 19. Thursday and Friday will feature special stages in the Welsh forests, with Friday focusing on the classic mid-Wales stages with an evening finish.
As before, the entire rally will then relocate north to Carlisle but to allow everyone time to make the journey north the restart from Carlisle on Saturday will not be until around mid-day.
Saturday will feature an afternoon and evening leg in the western end of Kielder Forest before the rally moves into southern Scotland on Sunday, November 23.
Monday will feature more stages in the central block of Kielder, including the final stage which, as in 2023, will be the longest special stage of the season covering up to 40 miles before the finishers arrive back in Carlisle.
