An almost sell-out list of around 160 cars will head for Newtown, Powys on Saturday 30 August, as the Phil Price Memorial Woodpecker Rally blasts into the legendary Welsh forests for its 2025 edition.
The rally, now established in Mid Wales after last year’s successful relocation from Ludlow, promises a day of flat-out competition across some of the most famous gravel stages in the world.
Crews will tackle around 45 competitive miles through the spectacular Hafren and Tarenig forests, roads that have written rallying history, including the Wales Rally GB of the past. This year’s format is compact but action-packed, with Hafren Forest forming the backbone of the rally, with a visit through the rarely-used, high-speed Tarenig complex. With a relocated service at Llanidloes Rugby Club and Newtown’s Britpart facility again hosting rally HQ, the event is set to attract a stellar mix of modern Rally2 machinery, historic icons and grassroots challengers.
Wearing the coveted number one on the doors will be last year’s runner-up and reigning Protyre BTRDA Rally Series champion Elliot Payne, with Patrick Walsh alongside in their Ford Fiesta Rally2. They will be chased hard by number two seeds Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear, the four-time Pirelli Welsh Rally Champions, hungry to finally conquer the Woodpecker in their Skoda Fabia Rally2 after a run of cruel misfortune on past editions.
At three, Icelandic pairing Daniel Sigurdarson and Asta Sigurdardottir continue their Rally2 development in the Skoda Fabia Rally2, whilst former Junior WRC contender Tom Williams makes a rare UK appearance in his Skoda with Michael Gilbey alongside. Rounding out the top five, Liam Clark continues his BTRDA charge with Chris Williams alongside in his Fiesta Rally2.
The top ten is bursting with talent and with such depth, stage wins could come from anywhere and the fight for victory is expected to go down to the wire.
The National rally entry is just as mouth-watering. The Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship will deliver a spectacular line-up, led by British Rally Champion Osian Pryce in a Ford Escort MKII with Dale Furniss on the notes. Nick Elliott and Dave Price wheel out their glorious Fiat 131 Abarth, whilst David Crossen and Ben Taggert aim to add another BHRC win to their tally, making the trip over from Northern Ireland in their Escort.
Paul Barrett, David Henderson and Dan Mennell are all likely to challenge at the top, and the crowd-pleasing series could well crown its 2025 champion if the weekend goes the way of Barry Jordan/Arwel Jenkins in their Mitsubishi Galant VR4.
Further down the field, the one-make categories are expected to provide thrilling entertainment. The Celtic Micra Challenge and the MINI Challenge continue to flourish, offering close-fought class battles, while the ANWCC Forest Rally Championship and HRCR Stages Masters Challenge bolster the entry list with dozens of series contenders.
Spectators will once again be well catered for over the weekend, enjoying free access to pre-event scrutineering at Britpart in Newtown from lunchtime on Friday 29 August, and the Llanidloes Rugby Club service area on rally day. The start and finish celebrations at Britpart, complete with champagne spray, ensure Newtown will once again be the hub of the event.
There are four opportunities to see the action from dedicated viewing areas in Britpart Hafren and Maesnant.
Named in memory of respected rally driver and coach Phil Price, who passed away in 2021, the rally continues to attract the very best from across the UK and beyond. With a world-class route, a packed entry list and a thrilling mix of modern and historic competition, the 2025 edition is set to be one of the most exciting in the event’s long history.