The Britpart Woodpecker Stages is set to deliver one of its most exciting routes in recent memory this September, with the long-awaited return of the iconic Radnor Forest complex headlining a refreshed itinerary for one of Britain’s most popular forest rallies.
Taking place on Saturday 12 September, the event will once again welcome rally crews to the gravel roads of mid-Wales, combining legendary stages with a compact route designed to maximise competitive mileage while keeping road sections to an absolute minimum.
The Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship, West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stages Masters Rally Challenge, TCS Plant Rally Challenge and ANWCC Forest Rally Championship will all utilise the event as a round of their respective series in 2026.
Following the recently announced title sponsorship from Britpart, organisers Sixty & Worcestershire Motor Club have now unveiled the route for the 2026 edition, and it’s one that is sure to excite competitors and rally fans alike.
Making their first appearance on the event for several years, the renowned Radnor Forest stages return to the Woodpecker route, offering crews the opportunity to tackle some of Wales’ most celebrated gravel roads once again. Fast, flowing and technically demanding, the stages have earned a legendary reputation over the years and are certain to become one of the highlights of this year’s event.
With almost the entire competitive route based around the same forest complex, the event places the emphasis firmly on driving rather than long road sections, a philosophy that has become increasingly important to both competitors and organisers.
Friday’s pre-event formalities, including scrutineering and documentation, will once again take place at Britpart’s headquarters in Newtown, before the rally moves to Badlands Farm, which returns as the operational hub for Saturday’s action.
Perfectly positioned close to the forests, Badlands Farm previously proved an ideal base during the event’s COVID-era running and once again allows organisers to create one of the most compact forest rallies in the country.
After the ceremonial start in Newtown, crews will head directly to the ever-popular Cwmysgawen stage before entering the Radnor Forest complex for three special stages through its spectacular gravel roads.
Following the morning loop, competitors head to Badlands Farm for service before repeating the route during the afternoon, with the rally finishing back at Badlands after eight special stages covering more than 38 competitive miles.
Just as importantly, liaison mileage has been reduced to less than 80 road miles, giving the event one of the lowest road-mileage footprints of any forest rally in Britain.
Chairman of the Organising Committee Alan Corns believes the revised route delivers exactly what competitors have been asking for.
“Every year we look at how we can improve the Woodpecker, and we’re really excited about what we’ve been able to put together for 2026.”
“The return of Radnor Forest is something we’ve wanted to achieve for a long time. They’re fantastic stages with a huge amount of history, and we know competitors will be delighted to see them back on the itinerary.”
“We’ve also worked hard to keep the event as compact as possible. Having Badlands Farm as our rally headquarters means crews spend less time travelling between stages and more time competing, while still enjoying some of the very best forest roads that Wales has to offer.”
“Combined with Cwmysgawen, we genuinely believe we’ve produced one of the most exciting Woodpecker routes for several years.”
The Britpart Woodpecker Stages continues to attract many of the UK’s leading competitors and remains a key fixture on the national forest rally calendar, with another high-quality entry expected for the September event.
Further information, including entries and spectator details, will be released in the coming weeks.