Rallying action will return to the Isle of Wight this coming Sunday (15th February) as more than 50 competitors take on the Weaver Brothers Island Stages, with details on spectator viewing zones now confirmed.
One of the main viewing locations will once again be at The Little Cow Shed in Havenstreet. Here, spectators will be able to watch cars negotiate a key junction, with further panoramic views available along Firestone Copse Road and Rowlands Lane from the steep hill opposite. Catering and toilet facilities will be available.
A free shuttle bus will run between the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and the Cow Shed spectator area, stopping at the White Hart Inn on route. The shuttle will operate between 08:00 and 18:00, with pick-up and drop-off at the Steam Railway car park.
Those travelling from the Ryde direction can park at Reynolds and Read’s yard on Newnham Road (formerly Brickfields), where parking is available for £5 per car. A separate spectator viewing area is located in nearby fields, offering views of the Stroud Wood Road junction and down Rowlands Lane.
Firestone Copse also offers viewing opportunities for more experienced rally fans, although organisers have warned against spectating along Rowlands Lane itself as the surrounding land is private and visibility is limited.
Spectators not using the Cow Shed area are advised to be in position at least 30 minutes before the first competitive car is due. Members of the public must not walk along the stage route at any time, and parking in Havenstreet or on closed roads is not permitted as these routes must remain clear for emergency access.
The first cars are due to leave the service area at Newport Quay at 09:00, with special stages running throughout the day and breaks for morning, lunchtime and afternoon service. The final stages are expected to finish in the late afternoon, with the awards presentation scheduled for 18:00.
Topping the 2026 entry list is last year’s winner Rob Swann, with co-driver Steve McNulty, who will be hoping to clinch the win in their Ford Fiesta WRC for a second year running.
Sean Quigley and Colin Quigley are seeded second, with Damian Cole/Ian Allsop, Darrell Taylor/Greg Halfpenny and Isle of Wight driver Will Nicholls/Nick Broom rounding off the top 5. In total, more than 50 crews will take to the stages.
A father and son duo, Simon and Matt Verstraeten, are among the local competitors gearing up for the rally, with proud backing from Island Echo, Harwoods Garage and Wilton’s of Shanklin.
The Isle of Wight Car Club has stressed that spectating is free of charge, but have urged those attending to follow marshal instructions at all times and only watch from approved areas to ensure the event can run safely.
More information can be found at https://iowcc.co.uk/rally/spectators/.
20mph is plenty
yeah, right, LOL
can you just imagine a rally stage,where all the cars had to drive around @ 20mph, like old grannies
(not sure it would make much of a spectator sport)
It would be interesting to see
Granny racers.
Weren’t you one of the seven dwarfs, DOPY?
Stop talking to yourself, there is treatment for
such.
Don’t be a Numpty all your life.
Bless
That’s all we need with the diversions in place!
It’s funny how the majority of Island Roads
are closed, yet such events can take place.
perhaps that’s why IR have closed off Firestone Copse road,…
Not sure even those rally cars could cope with the pot-holes created by all the diverting traffic.
It does seem a little strange to either:
allow the rally stages with all the road closurea / diversions in force,
or
allow the road closures (an therefore diversions) if they (IWC / IR) had alredy agreed the dates for the Rally Stages
It’s a joke allowing such an event to take place
whilst so many roads are closed.
I am glad I am off to Fuerteventura for half term,
let the numpties get on with it.
Why don’t you there you miserable old fart
Vehicle shown is sorn and registered white,
not blue
Lol
that photo was taken last year,…
the vehicle to which that registration number applies, may well be white, and sorn now…
It’s just one day out of 365 . Live with it.
A moaner will always moan. It’s in their blood