Organisers reluctantly cancel the Hills Ford 3 Shires Stages

It’s with regret that Cheltenham Motor Club has decided to cancel the 2022 Hills Ford 3 Shires Stages due to complications in procuring an alternative date. The club had previously agreed to postpone the event as it would otherwise have occurred during the period of national mourning linked to the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

While the organisers had planned to look for an alternative date for the two-day rally, they could not find anything suitable. As a qualifying round of the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship and other series, this event is very complex and requires a lot of planning. As a rally that features tests over closed public roads, the organisers must consult with various bodies and seek high-level permission before finalising road-closing orders.

Statement from the Organisers of the 3 Shires Stages Rally

The board and members of Cheltenham Motor Club wish to offer their sincere condolences to the Royal Family following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

As the organisers of the Hills Ford 3 Shires Stages (September 17/18), scheduled to take place during the period of national mourning, the club has decided to postpone the event until a future date.

“As a mark of respect, we feel it would be inappropriate to continue with the running of the event whilst the country is in a state of mourning,” states Alyn Edwards, clerk-of-the-course. “The club gives full consideration to residents’ emotions at this time and believes postponing the rally and looking for an alternative date over the next few months will be the most sensible route for everyone. We hope this will assist residents through this very sad time,” adds Kevin C Smith, Event Director and Chairman of Cheltenham Motor Club.

Tour of Epynt to host opening 2022 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship round as Paul Morris takes over as series co-ordinator

The Nigel Ferguson Fabricators Tour of Epynt on Saturday 16 April will host the opening round of the BTRDA-run 2022 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship as Britain’s premier sealed-surface rally series completes a calendar, sporting regulation and management shake-up – with experienced rally navigator Paul Morris taking over as Championship Co-ordinator.

Three Shires 2022

Cheltenham Motor Club can confirm that next year’s rally is planned for September 18th, 2022.

There will be a few changes to ensure the continued successful running of this popular event with competitors, spectators and marshals. The event is moving back a few weeks to September 18th which avoids clashes with the Woodpecker and Rali Bae Ceredigion Closed Road Rally, so attracting more competitors, officials and marshals. Currently there are no other major rallies scheduled this weekend.

Melvyn Evans extends Protyre MSUK Asphalt Rally Championship lead with maximum points on the Hills Ford Three Shires

Melvyn Evans has extended his lead in the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship after securing another maximum points score on the Hills Ford Three Shires Stages Rally.

Elliott excels with Three Shires Stages BHRC victory

Nick Elliott grabbed a hard-fought win at the opening round of the 2021 Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship, steering his Ford Escort Mk2 to victory at the Hills Ford Three Shires Stages [5 September]*.

Battling over 14 stages in the narrow closed-road lanes of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Elliott and co-driver Dave Price kept their potent Mk2 on the straight and narrow to take a maximum points haul on the first of three qualifying rounds in 2021.

Three Shires Stages

The 2^nd running of the Three Shires Stages saw a grandstand finish as Meirion Evans & Jonathan Jackson (Polo R5) took victory by 4s, following a stunning time through the final stage. They had been 4s behind Ollie Mellors & Max Freeman (Iriz R5) going in to that final stage but 7 fastest stage times, plus 2 joint fastest stage times, saw the Welsh crew take the win they gave up on stage 2, to Mellors. The final step on the podium saw an even tighter battle as Melvyn Evans & Mark Glennerster (Fabia R5) took 3^rd on countback, after finishing equal with Mark Kelly & Neil Colman (Fiesta R5). 5^th place went Robert Swann & Darren Garrod (Impreza WRC) with the time gaps growing down the rest of the top ten. The first 2WD crew home were James Ford & Matthew Daniels (Escort MkII) in 10^th place overall.

Pritchard switches to Fiesta S2000 as the Protyre MSUK Asphalt Rally Championship heads to the Three Shires

Jason Pritchard will contest this Sunday’s Hills Ford Three Shires Stages Rally in his North Road Garage Ford Fiesta S2000. It is the first time that the double Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally champion has driven the car in competition for over two years.

Jason got his 2021 campaign off to a flying start on last weekend’s The Old Forge Garage Mewla Rally, finishing second in his Focus WRC05.

For Round 2, Jason has decided to wheel out his Fiesta S2000 for the first time since the 2019 Rally van Wervik. He and co-driver Phil Clarke were the top Protyre Asphalt crew in Belgium after the first loop of stages, highlighting what a quick – not to mention great sounding – car it is on narrow single track lanes.

Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship makes welcome return

The Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship will blast back into action this weekend (5 September) as the Hills Ford Three Shires Stages hosts the first of three qualifying rounds of 2021.

Once again promoted by the Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club, the British Historic Rally Championship [BHRC] has been out of action since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and despite suffering a drastically reduced calendar, will see contenders kick-off their campaign at the popular closed-road event, based at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire.

Closed roads offer increased Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship challenge, as magnificent seven round 2021 calendar is unveiled

The 2021 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship calendar will remain largely unchanged from the one planned for the Covid-19 cancelled 2020 season, with five of the seven qualifying rounds held on closed public roads, two rounds held on classic military rally terrain and three new rallies entering the series.