Aberystwyth Braces for Record Rali Ceredigion Entry List 2026

Key Points

• A record 149 entries have been confirmed for the sixth edition of the JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion.
• Competitors from 18 nations will travel to Aberystwyth for the three-day rally.
• The event runs from 4–6 September 2026, following a ceremonial start on Thursday, 3 September.
• Rali Ceredigion is part of the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) and the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship (BRC).
• For the first time, the rally will host a round of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship, featuring cars built before 1992.
• ERC leader Teemu Suninen has a 25-point advantage but has never competed on the Ceredigion stages.
• Title rivals Andrea Mabellini, Mikołaj Marczyk and Jakub Matulka have all previously competed in Ceredigion.
• Five-time World Rally Championship event winner Kris Meeke will make his Rali Ceredigion debut driving a Toyota Yaris Rally2.
• British drivers Max McRae, Meirion Evans and two-time winner Osian Pryce will fight for the BRC title across two rounds held during the event.
• The Historic category includes Seb Perez in a Lancia Stratos, along with classic cars such as Porsche 911s, a BMW M3, a Ford Escort Mk2 and a Triumph TR7 V8.
• John Dalton leads the National Rally category in a Welsh-built Darrian T90 GTR, with Rhys Wyn Davies, Dylan Davies and Aled Wyn Morgans among the challengers.
• The rally will feature 16 competitive stages, with tickets available through the official Rali Ceredigion website.

Wales (Britain Today News) August 27, 2026 – The Welsh coastal town of Aberystwyth is preparing to welcome its largest ever field of competitors as organisers of the JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion confirmed a record 149 entries for the sixth running of the event, with drivers and teams travelling from 18 countries to take part in the three-day, all-asphalt rally scheduled for 4–6 September 2026.

What Makes the 2026 Rali Ceredigion a Record-Breaking Event?

The sixth instalment of the JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion has already broken new ground before a single competitive mile has been driven, with organisers confirming that 149 entries have been received for this year’s event — the highest number in the rally’s history. The scale of the entry list reflects the growing international standing of the Ceredigion stages, which have become a fixture on the calendars of both modern and historic rallying disciplines. Teams and drivers from 18 nations are set to descend on the mid-Wales coastline, giving the event a distinctly global character as it enters its sixth year.

Which International Championships Will Rali Ceredigion 2026 Host?

Rali Ceredigion’s growing prestige is underlined by the number of major championships it now supports. The 2026 event will host rounds of the FIA European Rally Championship and the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship, continuing its role as a key fixture for both continental and domestic rallying talent. For the first time in the event’s history, it will also stage a round of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship, open exclusively to cars manufactured before 1992. This addition marks a significant broadening of the rally’s remit, bringing together modern World Rally Car-derived machinery and cherished classics on the same closed roads across the same weekend.

Who Are the Frontrunners in the European Rally Championship Battle?

The European Rally Championship title fight is intensifying as the series arrives in Wales, with Finnish driver Teemu Suninen currently holding a 25-point lead at the top of the standings. Despite his advantage, Suninen arrives in Ceredigion without any prior experience of the stages, meaning he will need to build his knowledge of the roads from scratch during recce. His rivals for the title, Italy’s Andrea Mabellini, Poland’s Mikołaj Marczyk and Jakub Matulka, all arrive with previous experience of the demanding Ceredigion tarmac, a factor that could prove decisive as the championship reaches a critical juncture.

Can Kris Meeke Make an Impact on His Rali Ceredigion Debut?

Among the standout names on the entry list is Northern Ireland’s Kris Meeke, a five-time World Rally Championship event winner who will compete at Rali Ceredigion for the first time. Meeke, who will drive a Toyota Yaris Rally2, is expected to bring considerable pace and experience to the field even without prior knowledge of the stages. His debut appearance is likely to draw significant attention from spectators, with his reputation for spectacular driving expected to add further excitement to an already stacked entry list. Whether his experience at the highest level of the sport can be translated into a strong result on unfamiliar roads remains one of the more intriguing subplots of the weekend.

Who Will Lead the British Rally Championship Charge in Wales?

The British Rally Championship title race will also be shaped significantly by events in Ceredigion, with two rounds of the domestic series being contested across the three-day rally. Leading the home charge will be Max McRae in a Škoda Fabia Rally2, Meirion Evans in a Toyota Yaris Rally2, and two-time Rali Ceredigion winner Osian Pryce, also driving a Toyota Yaris Rally2. All three are expected to be in direct contention for outright victory as well as championship points, setting up a compelling battle between British talent and the visiting European contingent. Also featuring on the International entry list is rising star and Vauxhall works driver Ioan Lloyd, who will compete in a Vauxhall Corsa Rally4.

What Can Fans Expect From the First FIA European Historic Rally Championship in Wales?

The inclusion of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship represents one of the most notable developments in this year’s event, bringing a round of the series to Welsh roads for the very first time. Leading the historic standings is Seb Perez, who is set to campaign the legendary Lancia Stratos — one of the most iconic rally cars ever built. His participation headlines an eclectic entry of vintage machinery that promises to evoke the golden era of the sport, offering spectators the chance to see historically significant cars tackling the same stages as their modern counterparts.

Which Classic Cars Will Feature in the Historic Rally Category?

The historic entry list reads as a celebration of rallying heritage, with a diverse range of machinery spanning several decades of motorsport history. Polish driver Maciej Lubiak and Italian competitor Enzo Brazzoli will each pilot Porsche 911s, while Welsh driver Tomas Davies has his sights set on victory aboard a BMW M3. The field also includes the immortal Ford Escort Mk2, driven by Andy Davies, and a Triumph TR7 V8 in the hands of triple British Champion Mark Higgins. Together, these entries form a rolling exhibition of rallying’s most storied machines, all competing in earnest for championship honours rather than simply for show.

Who Are the Contenders for the National Rally Title?

Beyond the international and historic categories, the National Rally title will also be fiercely contested across the event’s 16 stages. Welshman John Dalton leads the field driving the Welsh-built Darrian T90 GTR, with fellow countryman Rhys Wyn Davies expected to push him hard in a similarly configured rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive car. Both drivers will be hoping for dry conditions across the weekend to suit their machinery. Meanwhile, four-wheel-drive seeds Dylan Davies, driving a Škoda Fabia R5, and Aled Wyn Morgans, in a Ford Fiesta Rally2, will look to exploit their superior traction advantage, particularly should the weather turn unfavourable.
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When and Where Will the 2026 Rali Ceredigion Take Place?

The 2026 JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion will begin with a ceremonial start on Thursday, 3 September, before three days of competitive special-stage action commence across the Ceredigion countryside from 4 to 6 September. The event’s all-asphalt format across 16 stages is expected to provide a stern test for the record field, with the varied categories — International, Historic and National — all sharing the same demanding roads throughout the weekend.

How Can Spectators Get Tickets for Rali Ceredigion 2026?

Organisers have confirmed that tickets for spectators wishing to attend stages across all three days of competition are available through the event’s official website, www.raliceredigion.co.uk. With a record entry list and three major championships represented across the weekend, demand for spectator access is expected to be high as fans look to witness the action across the Ceredigion stages in person.