It’s been more than 30 years since the last stage rally was held on the Isle of Wight but that is all about to change as the Isle Of Wight Car Club announces the return of the Island Stages this August.
With the kind permission of Tim Rogers, Palmers Farm in Wootton will play host to the single-venue Jon Dyer Memorial Island Stages rally, sponsored by Rally Replay, on Sunday 21st August 2022.
The stages will be predominantly grass and gravel tracks through both woodland and grassland. Although not a forestry event, it should prove challenging for competitors and gives an opportunity to drive stages which have never been driven before – something quite rare, especially in the South of England.
The event, which will run over 6 stages totalling around 32 miles, is being held in memory of Jon Dyer, a long-time member of the Isle Of Wight Car Club who recently passed away.
Unfortunately, spectators won’t be permitted to this inaugural return but it is hoped that subsequent years will be bigger and better, accommodating spectators.
The revival of motorsport on the Island is strong at the moment following the success of the Island Car Centre Sandown Sprint. There are also plans to introduce motorcycle racing to the Isle of Wight.
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Car Club has said:
“We aim to recreate the clubman spirit of the original Island Stages rally which ran from the 1960s through to the late 1980s. We hope to see the Island Stages once again grow into the multi-venue, mixed surface rally that stalwarts of the Isle Of Wight Car Club remember fondly”.
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Entries for the rally open on 19th June and close on 24th July. A seeded entry list will be available on 7th August. More information can be found at https://iowcc.co.uk/rally/.
Marshal registration is now open. Anyone interested should email Tony Cole on [email protected] for more information.
VIDEO: Island Stages Rally 1987 – filmed at Parkhurst Forest
Nice that Terry Weavers son has taken on his love of rally driving.
Could send them down some of the island’s roads for a challenge. Great Preston Road in Ryde for a start. Then there is Coppins Bridge lane change challenge. Or even “find the floating bridge operating”. The possibilities are endless. Beat the temporary lights?
Lol that sounds fun
Drag racing up the ‘Motorway’, although that might get in the way of motorcycle racing up there.
Gutted will not have my car finished for this hoping there will be more to come
shame we cant watch it, hopefully it will be filmed so that we can catch it on youtube or somewhere
Whats the point if spectators are not allowed .
You can bet all of the councillors will be watch with hard hats safety goggles and hi viz on
It’s OK to have a club event for club members only – happens all the time across any hobby. Opening it up to the public is a whole different kettle of fish. Fingers crossed someone is prepared to take that on in the future.
This is exactly what the Island needs. Cars and bikes…great stuff. What about some Tractor pulling or Drag racing at Bembridge Airport. The possibilities are endless. Love it.
YES!! About time we had some more motorsport on the island. Love it and long may it continue.
Darren Toogood is that your dad in the red escourt no10?
Rumbled! Yes 🙂
With my brother Andy Forman, loved those days!!
Peter biggest challange To get competitors to the Island ON TIME could have a competition to get Floating bridge Sorry Non floating bride to work.