REPORT / AGBO STAGES 2026

WORDS BY DAN MORRIS | PHOTOGRAPY NIGEL PRATT (BLACK MOUNTAINS MEDIA)

The Weston Park Foundation celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026, and once again, they would grant access to the annual AGBO Stages Rally to run around the estate’s 1000+ acres of woodland and access roads.

This would be the second rally at the venue in March, with the Lombard Rally Festival having run just a few weeks prior, evoking memories both of the original RAC and years gone by.

Although seen by many as the golden era, the event today is arguably just as fierce as the 80s, where short, fast stages require 100% commitment from the first green light. The event covers just 40 miles over 10 stages, including the crowd (and media!) favourite water splash, and features long straights into deceptively fast bends that have caught many out over the years.

Last year’s winner, and indeed ten-time winner of the event, Oliver Davies returned in his Escort, with number one back on the side of the car. He had a new co-driver for this event, with Lilia Innes jumping into the silly seat.

A very much in form Lee Edwards and Ben Crump also returned in the barking V6 Escort G3 after a driver of the rally performance on the East Ridings Stages, where they finished sixth overall, beating plenty of R5s in the process.

The “big three” was completed and reunited after missing last year, by five-time winner Huw James, co-driven by Lewis Sims. Huw was once again in his 2.5 litre Escort MK2, despite at one point being entered in his new toy – a Millington-engined Fiat 131. These three have won all but four AGBO rallies in the past twenty years, and their battles have entertained thousands over that time.

Previous two-time event winner Gary Thomas was also back in a Tsalta-prepared Mk2, with Dai “Dot” Davies returning in his Darrian T90 GTR – a combination that has been on pace with the top three over the past few years. Other names to watch out for included former event sponsor Mark Jasper in his Millington-engined MK2, and last year’s top 4WD crew of Wayne Larbalestier in his Mitsubishi Evo 3.

SS1-5

As expected, the top three were once again dominant at the front, creating a sizeable gap to the cars behind. Out front, and continuing their run of form, were Lee Edwards and Ben Crump, with Lee’s plan of full-on attack from the get-go working to perfection as he swept to a clean sweep of stage victories to lead by nine seconds – a gap almost considered large on this event.

Behind Edwards, Oliver Davies and Huw James were locked in a battle for second, with James initially holding the position before Davies found his rhythm. An equal fastest time on SS4 moved him into second, despite losing time after demolishing a chicane in the courtyard section on stage one. At the halfway point, the Mk2s were separated by just two seconds heading into the latter stages of the event.

Fourth early on was 20th seed Stefan Morris, alongside last year’s winning co-driver Jack Bowen, mixing it at the front despite it being Morris’s first visit to Weston Park. The bright orange Escort, whilst clearly on the limit, couldn’t keep two-time former winner Gary Thomas at bay, with Thomas drawing level on SS3 before moving ahead on SS4.

By SS5, the fastest of the non-Escorts, and a driver who suffers with motion sickness on tarmac, Dai “Dot” Davies had moved his Darrian up to fifth, dispatching Morris after a careful start in the morning dew.

SS5-10

Over the afternoon, Edwards and Crump increased their advantage, adding another outright stage win in Stage 7 and a couple of joint fastest times on Stages 9 & 10, edging it out to 14 seconds by the end of the rally and securing Edwards’ third win at the Shropshire venue.

The battle for second went the distance, with a tie for second overall after ten stages and 25 minutes of competitive rallying. There is a rule in place for exactly this situation (one I didn’t know until I asked the question!) where the result is decided by the fastest time on the opening stage of the event.

This rule worked in favour of Huw James and Lewis Sims, who were on a massive push in the afternoon. That charge included a trip onto the grass out of the spectators’ sight after one of the venue’s long straights, but also the only stage win Edwards didn’t take, allowing James to pull level with Oliver Davies on stage eight before the two remained inseparable. Remarkably, James and Davies set identical times on the final two stages, including a three-way tie for stage victory with Edwards on SS9, meaning the stalemate lasted three stages before the aforementioned rule decided the order, demoting last year’s victor to third.

Another on a push in the afternoon was Dai “Dot” Davies, alongside Trevor Evans, who moved up to fourth, overtaking Gary Thomas and Chris Walton with a few stages remaining. Another stat for you – Davies’ Darrian was the only non-Ford Escort in the top eighteen, once again showing how the ubiquitous 1970s Blue Oval design still dominates the sport over fifty years later.

Outside of the top five, Stefan Morris and Jack Bowen had a strong rally, finishing sixth on an event packed with experienced entries, making it a great debut for the pair. Wayne Larbelestier and Engin Uslu were the first four-wheel-drive crew home after a problematic rally, finishing nineteenth overall in their Evo 3, while Chris Phillips and Sarah Hughes were the first front-wheel-drive crew home in their 106 GTI, eighteen seconds ahead of Stephen Pritchard and Emma Clarke’s Nova.

“We gave it our best shot. The plan was to get out of the box quickly and try to build a bit of a cushion early on, which worked and took the pressure off in the afternoon!”

Lee Edwards

FINAL RESULTS

GALLERY