The best of British rallying will be celebrated at Rallyday on Saturday September 25.
Europe’s biggest one-day festival of rallying returns to Castle Combe next month with an array of stars and cars lined up to thrill fans. Among the highlights of Rallyday will be the Legend Stage. Introduced in 2019, this lunchtime celebration of heritage and history offers fans a unique opportunity to remind themselves of the machines which helped make the sport of rallying great.
Two decades on from Richard Burns’ FIA World Rally Championship title, a commemoration of the Englishman’s history-making season will be at the heart of Rallyday.
British Rally Champions Jimmy McRae and Gwyndaf Evans will drive a variety of cars from down their careers, with one of the world’s finest co-drivers Nicky Grist offering a typically entertaining insight into life alongside the likes of Colin McRae and Juha Kankkunen.
“As you can imagine, we’re thrilled to see Rallyday back,” said Castle Combe managing director Graham Marshallsay. “The COVID-19 pandemic made the 2020 season very difficult for everybody. This year we are preparing an event with coronavirus very much at the forefront of our mind – as ever, the health and safety of everybody attending is the first priority.
“But to know that Castle Combe will be filled with some of the world’s best and most exciting rally cars and drivers on Saturday September 25 is just fantastic. We can’t wait to welcome fans back and to put on a proper rally show for them.”
“And Jimmy, Nicky and Gwyndaf will help us with that. Each one of those guys has an incredible story to tell. Everybody knows the McRae family and Nicky, co-driving for Colin, was part of that amazing dynasty.
“And having Gwyndaf with us will be great. He’s a driver who’s been at the very top himself – we’ll hear about his time working with Ford and Seat. Hopefully he’ll also have a word or two about his son Elfyn, who is challenging for this year’s World Rally Championship with Toyota.
“Elfyn’s a Rallyday regular, but commitments with Toyota Gazoo Racing mean he can’t be with us this year. I’m sure we’ll see him back in 2022.
Having missed a year, Jimmy McRae can’t wait to be back.
“Last season didn’t feel right without Rallyday,” said the five-time British Rally Champion. “I can’t wait to get back down the road and get back to what’s become one of the highlights of the season. I love it. It’s such a great chance to be around some great cars and maybe even get a shot at driving some of them…”
As well as the stunning Legend Stage, Rallyday retains its focus on the backbone of the sport, offering clubmen and national drivers a unique opportunity to take to the track by buying a Rally Car Package, which requires a Motorsport UK Log Book on the car, costs £135 and includes running time between 1400 and 1630, a 10-metre frontage pitch, two vehicle passes and four entry tickets. Further details are available here.
Further details and more exciting Rallyday developments will be detailed in the coming weeks.
Tickets for Rallyday on Saturday September 25, Europe’s premier one-day rally show, are already available. Go to rallyday.com for advance tickets priced at £18 per adult (£25 on the gate). Under-17s, accompanied by an adult, get in for free.