Tavern Motor Club welcomes a full field of 75 cars for the sixth running of its Cotswold Historic Road Rally. 48 crews contest the full-fat Interclub, and a further 27 the roadbook-driven Clubman division. Somewhat confusingly named, they are the fourth rounds of the HRCR Clubmans and Beginners Road Rally Championships, respectively.

The Cotswold follows the familiar one-day format, starting and finishing at Cirencester Rugby Club, a practice adopted by others.

Crews can expect a 145-mile route with around six regularities covering 85 miles or so, and tests including South Cerney Airfield, a popular addition in 2025. All supporting the Air Ambulance.

James Griffiths and James Howell in ‘Green Pea’ won in 2025, so will lead the field away. But HRCR Champion John Haygarth and Martyn Taylor lurk in the Opel Kadett. Escort crew Nick Bloxham and Phil Matthews will be there – fast tests suit “quick Nick”. So will Elliott Dale and Charlotte Ryall, third last year in theirs.

James’s Griffith and Howell in Pea Green (1275GT Mini) will be leading the pack away on this years Cotswold Historic.  Photo by M&H Photography

Did I mention HRCR Champion Navigator and 2026 points leader Ryan Pickering, fourth last year and now teamed with Mick Valentine in the Cooper S? Don’t write off Darrell Staniforth and 3^rd-placed HRCR Navigator Henry Carr in the Corolla. It’s a truly Master-full entry. Must put some new rear tyres on, as if that will make a difference…

In the HRCR Championship, early Drivers points leader Ken and second-placed navigator Sarah Binstead will be out to cement a good start with a solid result, but might feel out-gunned, as many pre-74 cars now are.

In the Experts, I fancy Ed Linton and John Youd to go well in the Imp. Martin Payton and Miles Fieldhouse will be there in the PV544, as will Martin Leonard and Jason Murphy (GTi) and Paul and Sandra Heaney (TR6). As wild cards, how about Emily Anderson navigating David Crook’s Nova GTE?

Experts Martin Payton and Miles Fieldhouse have had a good year so far in the Volvo PV544 and could easily pick up another good result on the Cotswold.  Photo by M&H Photography

In the Novices, a shout out for Merv Brake, who I remember from hillclimbs at Wiscombe almost 50 years ago, navigating Keith Grant’s Volvo. Trefor Griffiths and Dewi Jones in the Mexico look strong here, though.

On the Clubman’s run, Lewis Ayris and Matt Outhwaite look strong. Dick and Harry Baines, winners last year and looking to open their account in the Beginners Championship will be strong contenders. Mike and Liz Dixon will seek to extend their championship lead in their MGB against 6 other registered contenders.

Dick and Harry Baines (Mini Cooper S) will be looking to repeat their 2025 result in the Clubmans run to open their account in the Championship.  Photo by M&H Photography

 

Summer is really here….I’m praying for rain.