OV9

I had no idea that there were any closed road rallies in England (or Wales or Scotland for that matter) - I'm sure I've read that the NI rallies are unique in the UK being on closed roads. But it turns out there is at least one, the Hills Ford Stages organised by Cheltenham Motor Club (which I'm not a member of - I think I'm a member of both Farnborough and Bath MCs but not the one close to where I live )

https://hillsfordstages.co.uk/ is the link. I saw mention of it on the local news website. Here's Cheltenham MC's brief page: https://www.cheltmc.com/hills-ford-stages-rally/

Not sure if I've got time this weekend to get the bobble hat out and watch (bit last minute finding out about it), but it's good to know this exists.

Good shout. Weather looks decent, I’ll go and have a look.

Ohhhh another time with more notice I'd have been up for this, I've always wanted to watch some decent closed road rallying.

I’ve had a look at the spectator info and there are only a couple of actual stages with designated spectator areas - and only one at each. Being on public roads there will be places which you can reach by public footpath or whatever but the route of each stage doesn’t seem to be published on the website - seems odd when the roads will have to be closed.

I know the area pretty well - I have cycled and been green-laning round there quite a few times and it is pretty much all utterly lovely countryside so it’s a shame I haven’t got time to go along. I hope I can find out the stage routes as they happen at least, for next year.

The website took me back to the late 90s

We’ll be going along later. I call myself a CG but never seem to do much car stuff.

Are you going to the start in Ledbury?

We’re debating it now. Thinking of going to the spectator point but not sure how busy it will be and what roads will be closed, parking etc. I don’t know the area at all.

Seems the NIMBYs of Herefordshire have got their way and the rally isn’t going ahead this year. Fingers crossed the motor club organising it can deal with the red tape next year but I fear I may have missed the opportunity to see a rally on closed public roads in the area now.

Jobbo wrote: Thu Jul 10, 2025 9:37 am Seems the NIMBYs of Herefordshire have got their way and the rally isn’t going ahead this year. Fingers crossed the motor club organising it can deal with the red tape next year but I fear I may have missed the opportunity to see a rally on closed public roads in the area now.

A local ish road rally had the same with NIMBYs around Penistone. The annoying thing was that the vast majority of locals supported it but a handful of very vocal tossers put their oar in and put a stop to it.

John wrote: Thu Jul 10, 2025 2:34 pm

Jobbo wrote: Thu Jul 10, 2025 9:37 am Seems the NIMBYs of Herefordshire have got their way and the rally isn’t going ahead this year. Fingers crossed the motor club organising it can deal with the red tape next year but I fear I may have missed the opportunity to see a rally on closed public roads in the area now.

A local ish road rally had the same with NIMBYs around Penistone. The annoying thing was that the vast majority of locals supported it but a handful of very vocal tossers put their oar in and put a stop to it.

Should've told the Penis's to Tone it down