Mini Rally Challenge

Scrutineering for the Plains Rally done and dusted. Time for food and bed.

Mini Rally Challenge Contenders Gear Up for Gravel Action at the Plains Rally

With May’s weather, dust might have been expected this weekend in Mid-Wales — but the rain in the last few days before Saturday’s Plains Rally, means conditions could turn out to be perfect.

A strong field of 24 crews travel to Bala from all corners of the UK, ranging from seasoned contenders to veterans trying the series for the first time, and an 18-year-old stepping up from the F1000 Junior series.

In the R53 class, top seeds Sven Grube and Alfie Element lead the field away. After their DNF at the Riponian, they’ll be hungry for gravel points. Consistent scorer John Day will be aiming for another high finish, while Jacob Neal and David Burden — running second and third on the road — will have other ideas.

In the R50 class, Catherine Bell and Kevin Ablitt head into the weekend running consecutively on the road. They will be able to size each other up at every time control and promises to be a fascinating battle.

Experienced drivers Tim Kirvan-Rodgers and Nick Skelton will try and shake off the rust to make their Mini debuts. Will they gate-crash the points, or will familiar faces hold onto the glory?

It’s hotting up in the battle for points as we stay on the gravel for round 5 in just 3 weeks time.

At least four crew members will be experiencing gravel for the first time on this weekends Plains Rally.

Good luck to Rob Thompson, Steve Burles, Mason Woodford and Henri Cynwyl.

The never ending search for grip begins!

Here’s the seeded entry list.

Minirallychallenge.co.uk

The Mini Rally Challenge in-car camera will be fitted in Ben Hearsey and James Swallow’s R53 on this weekend’s Plains Rally.
We will share some footage as soon as we get it!
M.B.M - Mad Bob Media
Ben Hearsey Rallying

Minirallychallenge.co.uk

Happy 18th birthday today and good luck to !
This weekend’s Plains Rally is Henri’s first Mini Rally Challenge gravel event, having moved up from the f1000 Junior series.
Running as car 222 with the experienced Dilwyn John alongside him they should feel at home in the Welsh forests.
Henri’s progress is a great example of why we run this series.

Minirallychallenge.co.uk

News on Round 6! Pendragon Stages Rally

www.pendragonstages.co.uk

Whether you have just discovered the Mini Rally Challenge or you are seriously considering getting involved, come and see us at the Plains Rally this weekend. Our next 2 events are non-spectator, so don’t miss this chance!

Friday from 1pm for noise check and document collection -
///subsystem.watch.these
https://w3w.co/subsystem.watch.these

Saturday - from approx 7.30am crews assemble at the start with the first car leaving at 08:01 from -
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https://w3w.co/anchorman.ticking.boom

You will then have time to go and watch the cars through the final stage at lunch time - https://www.plainsrally.co.uk/dyfi

Dyfi Car Park Map Spectator Area | Plains Rally 2026 Dyfi West SS5 & SS10, Spectator Viewing Area. Plains Rally 13th June 2026