The Full Story (2026)

27/01/2026

Promising speedster Jay Harrison shows strong pace ahead of first season

The ultra-competitive world of junior rallying has produced numerous drivers who have gone on to dominate the adult ranks, and it’s widely recognised that having family connections is an advantage; a father or relative who competes gives a youngster experience of seeing, being seen and making useful contacts before they turn a wheel in anger.

However, 13-year-old Jay Harrison is bucking the trend as he prepares to launch into his first competitive season. The Essex-based youngster has no past connections with rallying other than a love of cars. However, he has substituted a healthy dose of determination, driving ability and a never-say-die attitude to succeed. Before he has even crossed the start line of his first rally, Jay has built an enviable reputation for fast, tidy driving on multiple surfaces. Using Langley Park Rally School as a showcase for his prodigious talent, Jay has already attracted attention from the sport’s top echelons, including being coached by former British Rally Champion, Osian Pryce.

Jay’s journey began when, as a toddler, he developed a love of Hot Wheels. The popular toy cars enthralled him and, with his interest in cars well and truly stoked, Jay accompanied his mum, Emma, to a rally experience day at Langley Park. Here, she learnt about their driving days for juniors (under-16s), so bought Jay a driving lesson for his eighth birthday in 2020.

Jay’s debut drive was in a dual control Toyota Aygo. The Langley Park instructors realised he was a natural and he quickly progressed to the school’s rally cars; first, a 1600cc Suzuki Swift Cup car before moving to a Ford Es**rt Mk2 and most recently, a Ford Sierra 4WD.
At this point, enter Tom Clark, Langley Park Rally School’s Director and head of training. Recognising the youngster’s talent, Tom – who came up through the Junior rallying ranks in Latvia, where you can compete from age 14 - took Jay under his wing. “We made sure Jay drives with all our instructors, to get as much seat time and work with as many people as possible. We’re all impressed not only with his natural talent, but his dedication to training. He began during school holidays but now comes weekly; he’s determined to learn as much about rallying as possible” says Tom. Jay has also had tuition from former British Rally Champion, Osian Pryce. “it’s always a pleasure to coach young talent, they always have their eyes and ears open, ready to absorb every bit of vital information,” says Osian.

A trip last year to Ice Drive Sweden proved to be great for learning. Jay explained “I found that driving on snow has a lot in common with dirt, but it’s a little slower, so you get extra time to predict what is going to happen. It (Sweden) was so much fun because I got loads of seat time in a variety of cars, from a front-wheel drive FWD Fiesta to a 4WD Subaru Forester. I can’t thank the instructors and everyone out there enough.”

Having taken part in a 24-Hour Drive-a-thon at the school last September, where he raised over £1100 for charity, Jay is firmly focussed on his competitive debut at the Kath Curzon Memorial Stages, at Pembrey in March. He will drive a 1-litre Peugeot 107 and will be co-driven by Alaistair Wyllie. “It’s great for my confidence to have Alaistair alongside me,” says Jay. “He is a long-time family friend and also an instructor at Langley Park.”

Wherever this young man’s prodigious talent for driving takes him in the future, he is certain to receive a warm welcome into the rallying family and will be a force to be reckoned with.

Writer: Ian Harden

20/01/2026

Hi, everyone,

A couple of days ago, I spotted that one of my favourite regional rally championships, the AWMMC Heart of England series, has published their calendar. It's run by Matt Walk, who puts in huge amounts of hard work to get the best for his customers, the competitors. His 'something for everyone' approach clearly works, as the championship attracted a total of 99 points scoring competitors in 2025.

The series has ten classes, including some slight changes from last year. They range from Rally Start cars right up to the latest Rally2 machines.

Class A – 2WD Up to 1400cc
Class B – 2WD 1401cc to 1600cc
Class C – 2WD 1601cc to 2000cc
Class D – 2WD 2001cc and over
Class E - 4WD with H Pattern Gearbox
Class F - 4WD with Sequential Gearbox *(Class Awards Only)
Class G – 2WD up to 2100cc with 8 Valve Engine
Class H – All Historic Cars
Class R- All Rally First & Road Rally Cars
Class T- 2WD up to 1600cc series production cars with forced induction

Regional championships are the lifeblood of the national scene, attracting both long-term competitors and newcomers alike. The best thing is that it's rallying with and against your pals. To prove it's for everyone, several of my good pals have won the championship at the first attempt - Lucy Wigley / Emma Cooper in 2021, and Aled Wyn Morgans in 2022.

Good luck to all the competitors in this very well-run and popular championship in 2026.

Ian.

28/12/2025

Hi, everyone,
First and most importantly, a slightly belated Merry Christmas to you all, and thank you for your valued friendship both here on social media and in life in general.

For all my rallying pals who love the sight and sound of Ford Es**rts, I have some wonderful news. The Es**rt Rally Special is back! Following a three-year layoff this celebration of all that's good about probably the best-known rally car of all time is returning to tackle some of Wallonia's very challenging stages.
The rally is based in Lacs de L'eau D'Heure, about 15 miles north of its original home at Chimay circuit. It's now near to both Sivry and Beaumont, putting the action into Rallye Salamandre and Boucles Chevrotines territory.

It's on 11th to 13th September, with Friday reserved for official presentation of the competitors, Saturday consists of two loops of two stages, and Sunday will be three loops of three.

If the wonderful atmosphere and astonishing speeds attained in 2021 and '22 are anything to go by, it's going to be unmissable.

Take care, all,

Ian.

17/11/2025

To quote Mr Punch, "That's the way to do it!"

Well done to Alex and George, who finished the Glyn Memorial Stages in 17th overall and 6th in the hotly contested 4WD class, in only their second-ever rally, and on their debut as a pairing. Brilliant stuff, both of you!

Also, congratulations to young Becca Challis, who finished the GM Junior Rally in 18th overall in her fifth-ever rally. Thanks go to James Greenall who filled in at the last minute for Becca's regular co-driver, Christian Brown.

16/11/2025

Hi again, everyone,

Thank you to anyone who was able to put the word out about Alex and George's problem yesterday. They managed to find a clutch cylinder, fitted it and are back in the rally. It's only their second-ever rally, so I am really happy that they are racking up good mileage once more.

Take care, all,

Ian.

15/11/2025

Hi, everyone,

I'm trying to urgently source a replacement clutch master cylinder, or an 'o' ring for same, for a Subaru Impreza GC8. My pals Alex Hanley and George Buckley are competing at the Glyn Memorial Stages at Anglesey, and the 'o' ring has failed, so they need a new one.
They are re-starting at just after 9am if they can fix the problem, so if anyone has one and is within easy reach of Trac Mon, it would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Ian.

07/03/2025

Hello, everyone,

It's a few days after the event, but I would like to say 'thank you' to the medical staff at Anglesey Circuit, who checked me over and made sure I was okay, when I became unwell at last weekend's Lee Holland Memorial Stages.

Due to the heavy braking and cornering forces created by the Impreza I was co-driving, and the fact that I was recovering from a head cold, I'd been feeling car-sick part-way through each stage. I didn't feel well enough to do the last test, so we - my good pal Andy Stretton and I - retired from the event. As a trained First Aider, I recognised I was suffering early signs of shock, so I went to Rally HQ, where I met Secretary of the Meeting Jade Benson. Jade was very understanding and helpful when I explained my predicament and asked to see the Medical Officer.

Within a couple of minutes, Paramedic Jenny Braithwaite arrived with a member of the Rescue Unit who, I think, was called Andrew or Alan. Their friendly, reassuring manner put me at ease straightaway. They noted that I take a blood pressure tablet so checked my blood pressure, which was high due to being unwell. They gave me water to drink and some snacks - I had not eaten during the day - and after a while, I began to feel brighter.

Even after I began to improve, Jenny's ongoing care extended to asking if I had anyone to keep an eye on me, or if there was someone I could ring if I felt unwell again. It is all thanks to everyone's care ( I even got a good old blokey-type hug from the scrutineer!), and the medical staff's professional attitude that I was able to drive back to my hotel, eat a small meal, get a good night's sleep and drive back home safely on Monday.

Two years of niggling illnesses and injuries that won't clear up before the next one hits me have created an ongoing health problem, so that the forces involved in the Impreza make it 'a car too far' for me to co-drive just now. Andy will use another co-driver at least for the moment and I will concentrate on getting fully fit and healthy again.

However, the most important thing that this incident shows me is that medical staff and Rescue Units are not just essential when a major incident occurs. Their dedicated training and knowledge is used to deal equally well when someone like me becomes unwell.
Once again, thank you so much to Jenny, Jade, Andrew (or Alan) together with the team who organised such a well-run rally and whose actions made sure I soon felt better and got home safely.

Take care, all,

Ian.

22/12/2024

ROAD RALLYIST HAND MOVES TO THE STAGES

Road rallying star Chris Richmond Hand will move into stage events in 2025 to contest the British Rally Championship National Cup. The Toyota Starlet driver is a well-established front runner in night events and says his decision was made easier following a stunning drive at this year’s Rali Ceredigion. Here, Hand and co-driver Izzie Holman stormed to 47th overall and a dominant class win. He told The Full Story news page: “I love road rallying; I began competing in 2007 and the buzz is great. However, Ceredigion opened my eyes to what I really want to have a crack at. It’s like everything that’s good about road rallying but in daylight and on pacenotes.”

Before Ceredigion, Hand spent five weeks building the bright yellow Starlet from the ground up, starting with a partly prepared shell. He is extremely grateful to his friends who chipped in and helped: “I couldn’t have done it without the lads; they put in a huge effort. One marathon session began at 7am and finally finished at 4 o’clock the following morning.”

Hand’s Toyota has already given him many successes in the lanes, including third on the 2023 Rally Cilwendeg. Now, the car is receiving further upgrades for stage rallies including wider arches, bigger wheels and brakes. Also, the engine will run on throttle bodies. “It’s strong, light and reliable, which you need for a tough season. On the gravel rounds, we’ll fit different suspension,” he explained.

Although the National Cup consists of both asphalt and gravel rounds, Hand is unfazed about loose surface rallies. He has already proved his speed on gravel, taking a four-door Ford Es**rt Mk2 to a class win at the Rally North Wales and a tremendous 16th overall and second in class at the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages in April.

Hand’s own motorsport fabrication firm, DC-Msport, will sponsor the team’s National Cup campaign.

Writer: Ian Harden

18/12/2024

SMITH SWITCHES FROM MINI TO MG FOR A NEW CHALLENGE

One-make rallying specialist Mick Smith has announced he will compete in the MG3 Rally Challenge next year. The York-based man will drive a car currently being prepared by championship organiser, Niall Cowan Snr and plans to contest all seven rounds, co-driven by Paul Stringer.

The idea to do a new one-make series came after Smith won back to back Mini Rally Challenge titles in 2022 and 2023. After a limited 2024 season in a Nissan Micra, he contacted Cowan, who offered him a test in a Challenge car. Smith explained he had seen videos of the MG3 Challenge and, he says, “They look like a great bunch of people”. He continued: “I achieved everything I wanted to in the Mini Challenge, which is a brilliant championship; however, I fancied something new. The MG3 is great fun. You can push it really hard; if it gets out of shape you can get control again easily.”

Smith’s new car features MG ZR running gear, a 5.1 crown wheel and pinion, Safety Devices rollcage and Gaz suspension. He has ordered several individual items of choice on the 1400cc machine, including a hydraulic handbrake. He says he is very pleased with the help Cowan has given him. “He (Niall) has gone the extra mile for me. Mind you, how a Yorkshireman and a Scotsman have come to a deal involving money defeats me!”

Cowan is equally upbeat about Smith doing the MG3 Challenge. “Mick’s enthusiasm showed through the first time he tested our MG. He wants a car that is reliable and will finish rallies with minimum fuss. We hope he will finish every rally and the season with a huge smile on his face.”

Writer: Ian Harden

23/11/2024

ROSS RETURNS TO HIS SUBA-ROOTS FOR SEASON’S END RALLY AT DONINGTON

Rally School owner and clubman competitor Ian Ross is returning to a much-loved Subaru Impreza that he has not used since 2019 to contest the Tegiwa Stages at Donington Park on December 1st.

The Worcestershire-based driver has fitted a new engine to the 4WD car and has sold his 2.5 litre Ford Es**rt Mk2 (also pictured) that he took to a superb eighth overall on debut at the Smeatharpe Wildlife Stages in June. Ross explained “The Es**rt was awesome; the KGP engine was stunningly powerful and it handled superbly. However, I’ve sold it because I feel it’s too valuable for me to risk. My Subaru owes me less money but it’s still a terrific bit of kit.”

Ross has had numerous successes in the Impreza, winning the Get It Sideways Stages at Down Ampney in 2018 together with several top five placings at the same venue. Ross’s wife, Sally, made her driving debut in the car, winning an award at the Abingdon Car-nival Rally.

To prepare for Donington, Ross tested the engine upgrade at Gwynnespeed in Wiltshire recently. “The engine feels strong and there’s plenty of torque. It took a few runs to swap driving styles from rear-wheel drive back to 4WD, but I think we’ve about got there.”

Due to his rally school work commitments Ross picks and chooses his competitive outings. He will be co-driven at Donington by the experienced Heather Phelps.

Writer: Ian Harden

The Full Story

27/01/2026

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