REPORT / NICKY GRIST STAGES
11/08/2025WORDS BY ROB SAYER | PHOTOGRAPY BY ANDY COOK, ANDREW SCOTT & ROB SAYER
Saturday 12th July 2025 marked a landmark occasion in British rallying as the iconic Nicky Grist Stages returned for its 40th consecutive year as part of the BTRDA Forest Rally Championship. Hosted once again by the experienced hands of Quinton Motor Club, the award-winning event drew more than 140 crews to the picturesque town of Builth Wells for the one-day gravel showcase.
A firm favourite on the rallying calendar, the 2025 edition stuck to its tried and tested format. A compact route consisting of 44 stage miles and 90 road miles, split across four (repeated) beautiful forest stages. Classic WRC tests awaited in the Halfway and Crychan forest complexes, while the much-anticipated return of Route 60 added some spice to the mix.
LEG 1
As the sun rose over mid Wales, competitors were greeted to a scorching summer’s day. Clear skies and soaring temperatures promised a gruelling test for man and machine. Four stages totalling 22 competitive miles made up the morning loop, with Route 60’s reintroduction serving as a highlight for crews and spectators alike.
British Rally Championship front runners William Creighton and Liam Regan wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Piloting their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 with precision and pace, the duo established an early lead of 11.1 seconds by the time crews returned to Builth Wells for the midday service.
Flying the BTRDA Championship flag high, Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear kept the pressure on in their Skoda Fabia R5, slotting into second overall while holding a 5.5 second buffer over BRC regulars Meirion Evans and Dale Furniss, also in a GR Yaris.
A tantalizingly close battle simmered just behind them. Only 0.8 seconds separated Callum Black and Jack Morton, tarmac specialists making their mark on gravel, from reigning BTRDA champions Elliot Payne and Patrick Walsh, both hungry to climb the order.
In the Historic Cup all eyes were on the returning Osian Pryce, making a popular comeback after months away from the sport. With Phil Pugh alongside in their Wales Motorsport prepared Mk II Ford Escort, Pryce marched to a 24.2 second lead over Dyfrig James and Emyr Jones, with Robert Gough and Jack Bowen a further 11.4 seconds back in third.
Meanwhile, in the BTRDA Silver Star standings, Lewis Hooper and Rhys Edwards had opened up a whopping 43.5 second lead over nearest rivals Geoff Phelps and Colin Jenkins as the crews turned in for lunch time service. Tom Constantine and Tony Walker led an all-Opel battle for third in their Adam R2 with a narrow 5.3 second lead over Cree and Wiggins, holding fourth in their Corsa.
And in the Bronze Star Championship, a close fought battle between Nissan and Nova was raging at the front of the field. Dylan Fowler-Bishop and Dan Evans led the way in their Micra, a mere 4.9 seconds ahead of Nigel and Kaz Jenkins’ Vauxhall. Another Micra in third, this one piloted by Ashley Francis-Adams and Mark Ammonds, a further 16 seconds behind.
AFTER STAGE 4
| POS | LEADERBOARD | TIME (DIF) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | #1 W.CREIGHTON / L.REGAN | 22:18.0 |
| 2 | #3. M.HIRST / D.DEAR | 22:29.1 (+11.1) |
| 3 | #4 M.EVANS / D.FURNISS | 22:34.6 (+5.5) |
| 4 | #5 C.BLACK / J.MORTON | 22:53.4 (+18.8) |
| 5 | #2 E.PAYNE / P.WALSH | 22:54.2 (+0.8) |
| 6 | #6 J.MITCHELL / P.MCCRUDDEN | 23:02.4 (+8.2) |
| 7 | #17 A.VASSALLO / C.LEES | 23:27.3 (+14.9) |
| 8 | #15 K.WHITE / A.NESTOR | 23:19.2 (+1.9) |
| 9 | #8 L.CLARK / E.EASTON-PAGE | 23:38.1 (+18.9) |
| 10 | #16 J.GIDDINGS / A.DAVIES | 23:47.0 (+8.9) |
LEG 2
The afternoon saw crews head back into the forests for another run over the stages. A second helping of dust, ditches, and drama.
Creighton and Regan remained the benchmark at the top, extending their lead to 15.6 seconds after six stages. But the story of the day was unfolding behind them. Meirion Evans mounted a fierce challenge and chipped away at Hirst’s advantage, bringing the gap down to a mere 0.3 seconds after another rapid run through Route 60.
Elsewhere, Callum Black’s rally hopes took a hit after a troubled Monument stage, while Elliot Payne lost time on Route 60. Both fell behind the flying Irish pair of Jason Mitchell and Paddy McCrudden in their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2.
Back in the historics, Osian Pryce continued his fairytale return stretching his lead to 31 seconds and charging into 12th overall. Dangerously close to breaking into the top ten. Dyfrig James looked set to consolidate second, now 21 seconds clear of Robert Gough.
Then came the final twist. Evans and Furniss matched Hirst and Dear’s pace on Halfway (stage 7), before unleashing a stunning performance on the second pass of Bowlsey, blitzing the field by 6.7 seconds and leaping ahead of Hirst for second overall by the narrowest of margins.
Despite the late demotion, Hirst and Dear still walked away with maximum BTRDA Championship points. A vital boost after their heartbreak at the Border Counties Rally, and a loud statement of intent.
Not only that, but they also claimed top honours in the Pirelli Welsh Championship, finally opening their 2025 account having opted to score BRC points at Carlisle and skipping the Plains Rally.
At the sharp end, Creighton and Regan held on for overall victory by just 2.6 seconds, sealing a hard-fought win in their Melvyn Evans Motorsport Yaris Rally2.
In the Historic Cup, the drama wasn’t done either. Mechanical issues forced Dyfrig James and Emyr Jones to retire after stage 7, promoting the ever-popular Ben Friend and Cliff Simmons into third. Robert Gough and Jack Bowen stepped up to second, but no one could touch Osian Pryce who closed out a resounding win, by more than a minute and twelve seconds, on his emotional return to the driver’s seat.
Lewis Hooper and Rhys Edwards took a resounding victory in the Silver Star category. Securing the win by more than a minute and a half in their Fiesta R2. Phelps and Jenkins were a lonely second as they crossed the stop line, ending the day almost 52 seconds ahead of Cree and Wiggins in third.
And over in the Bronze Star Championship only 4 cars completed the rally, conditions proving to be too much for many crews. Dylan Fowler-Bishop accompanied by Dan Evans were cream of the crop, securing victory in their Micra. The Jenkins’ would secure second place, 14.4 seconds adrift whilst Edward James and Kevin Lane rounded out the podium.
FINAL RESULTS
| POS | LEADERBOARD | TIME (DIF) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | #1 W.CREIGHTON / L.REGAN | 44:11.9 |
| 2 | #4 M.EVANS / D.FURNISS | 44:14.5 (+2.6) |
| 3 | #3. M.HIRST / D.DEAR | 44:21.5 (+7.0) |
| 4 | #6 J.MITCHELL / P.MCCRUDDEN | 44:56.8 (+35.3) |
| 5 | #5 C.BLACK / J.MORTON | 45:13.8 (+17.0) |
| 6 | #2 E.PAYNE / P.WALSH | 45:27.5 (+13.7) |
| 7 | #17 A.VASSALLO / C.LEES | 46:02.0 (+34.5) |
| 8 | #16 J.GIDDINGS / A.DAVIES | 47:04.6 (+1:02.6) |
| 9 | #9 V.HAMILL / L.MOORE | 47:28.9 (+24.3) |
| 10 | #10 D.O’BRIEN / N.BURNS | 47:36.1 (+7.2) |
ROUND UP
Although Evans and Furniss’s last gasp charge stole second, Matthew Hirst’s dominant pace across the day sealed him top honours among the BTRDA regulars. And crucially, this time there were no penalties to strip him of his reward. The points haul elevates Hirst to third overall in the championship, now just 10 behind defending champion Elliot Payne.
Alex Vassallo’s consistent campaign continued with a solid seventh place finish, keeping him second in the championship, but with Hirst now breathing down his neck, just one point behind.
With momentum building and tensions rising the stage is set for another exciting battle when the BTRDA Forest Rally Championship heads back to Wales on Saturday 30th August for Round 4, the Phil Price Memorial Woodpecker Stages Rally.
Expect dust, drama and fireworks as the title fight continues into its next chapter.
