The Island Stages will bring rally action back to the Isle of Wight later this year for the first multi-venue event in over 30 years, with spectators being welcomed in 2023.
It was in August last year that the Island Stages name returned more than 3 decades after the heyday of rallying on the Island. A single-venue introductory event was held at Palmers Farm in Wootton – won by Andy Rowe and Cat Lund in their Mitsubishi Evo 2.
Now, following the success of 2022’s running, the Isle of Wight Car Club has expanded the event to become a multi-venue rally. A total of 10 special stages will be held across both Duxmore near Downend and Palmers Farm in Wootton in just 4 months’ time, with the service area located at Newport Quay.
It will be a throwback to the 1980s for many as scrutineering and a ceremonial start will take place at Premier Motors in Newport on Saturday 30th September, spreading the event out over 2 days. This will give spectators the opportunity to see the rally cars taking part before they hit the stages the following day.
On Sunday 1st October, 45 competitors will go up against 31 stage miles with an additional 74 road miles, meaning rally cars will be seen on the public road too as they travel from stage to stage. There will be an opportunity to visit the service area at Newport Quay and Sunday’s special stages will be broken up with a lunchtime regroup in the Town Centre.
Rallying has diminished in the South of England in recent years with the loss of the Tempest Stages in Aldershot, the Somerset Stages at Minehead and the Rally of Kent at Ashford – so the return of the Island Stages as a multi-venue event is a major boost for the sport. The revival of motorsport on the Island is strong at the moment following the success of the first 2 Island Car Centre Sandown Sprints.
Entries for the Island Stages open on Wednesday (7th June) and close on 6th August. A seeded entry list will be published on 17th September. More information can be found at https://iowcc.co.uk/rally/.
Island Stages Rally is being proudly sponsored by Island Echo, Weaver Brothers, Rally Replay, Premier Motors, Hose Rhodes Dickson, Apex Competition and Red Funnel.
Good to see the Island doing their bit for the climate NOT!
Be quiet you looser, your an absolute moron if you believe all the hype that’s rammed down your throat!
Sorry to burst your bubble, but motorsport is going electric.
Search for “McMurty Spéirling”. A 1000hp electric fan car that holds the Goodwood hill climb record. It will hit 145mph in under 5 seconds.
The quickest two times are both for electric cars. The McMurty is quickest at 39.08 seconds, followed by the VW ID.R (another electric car) at 39.9.
In 3rd place is a McLaren MP4/13 F1 car at 41.6 seconds, 2.52 seconds slower than the McMurty.
Ooooo lovely I bet they sound amazing flying past, sooner hear a v8 than a milk float thanks
Very true.
I guess that must be why, Audi, BMW and Mercedes have all pulled out of formula E. There’s a new hydrogen class coming to WEC so no the future of motorsport is not electric.
All the morons who own petrol and diesel vehicles will be
dissapointed by 2030 when the country will be electric only.
The plan is to ban petrol and diesel vehicles, make the most of it while you
still can.
I’ve gone Electric now – zero toad fund licence.
If you think for one second the country’s going electric only by 2030 then your deluded Mike, there planning on banning the sales of new vehicles, not banning old existing ones, it will be like Cuba, with everyone fixing up their old sh****s for ever, I’ll will for sure be buying my self a new v8 in 2030, I won’t be buying myself a milk float like all the morons I see these days.
Loser, you’re
At last, an event on the island that you don’t have to wear lycra….
This is good news bring the island back to life ,Well done to all involved.
Now they just need to bring back the Motocross in Arreton and we’ll be away!
Brilliant news about time well done to all involved, we’re be supporting this event.
So it’s OK for car events, but not a motorbike event….
Slightly different as it’s mainly off road (the road stages are only to get from a to b I believe not actually racing so roads won’t be closed)
However totally agree and I live on the proposed route for the motorbike race and was gutted when I found out it was cancelled!