The 71st Lewis & Hunter Cambrian Rally delivered everything that makes forest rallying so special — fast gravel stages, demanding conditions, spectacular action and a championship battle that went right down to the final test. But as Storm Boelo swept across North Wales, the 2026 edition became a test of survival as much as outright speed.With the British Rally Championship title on the line, crews faced nine special stages and approximately 48 competitive miles across Gwydir, Brenig, Clocaenog, Hiraethog and Crafnant. Starting and finishing on Llandudno Promenade, the rally promised a memorable season finale. It certainly delivered.
Pryce holds his nerve in a dramatic title showdown
The headline battle was always going to be between Max McRae, Osian Pryce and Meirion Evans, with all three arriving in North Wales still mathematically capable of taking the British Rally Championship crown.
Pryce, partnered by James Morgan in the Castrol MEM Rally Team Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, had a less comfortable start, with a suspected wiring issue adding to the pressure.The first major twist came on the third stage at Brenig. McRae spun in standing water, losing valuable time and handing Pryce the advantage.
Evans moved into the fight, keeping the championship battle finely balanced as the crews headed towards the afternoon service halt at Ruthin.Conditions continued to deteriorate, with standing water, deep mud and increasingly difficult visibility making every corner a potential hazard. The returning Gwydir stages and the revised route through the familiar forests provided a fresh challenge for even the most experienced crews.
Pryce and Morgan managed their advantage through the afternoon, but McRae refused to give up. The young Scot mounted a determined late charge, clawing back time and putting the pressure firmly on the Welsh crew.
The decisive moment came on the final test. McRae attacked relentlessly, taking another 4.7 seconds from Pryce, but it was not quite enough. Pryce and Morgan crossed the finish just 1.2 seconds ahead, securing both the Cambrian Rally victory and the 2026 British Rally Championship title.For Pryce, it was a second British championship, following his success in 2022. For co-driver James Morgan, it was a first BRC crown — a remarkable reward after a season-long campaign decided by the smallest of margins.
A PODIUM TO REMEMBER
Behind the leading pair, Charlie Tuthill and Sion Williams produced one of the performances of the event. Making his British Rally Championship debut in a Ford Fiesta Rally3, Tuthill secured third overall and victory in the BRC3 category, an outstanding achievement against the Rally2 machinery.
Brendan Cumisky and Martin Connolly brought their Ford Fiesta home in fourth, while Hugh Hunter and Andy Marchbank completed the top five in the National BRC classification.
JAMES WILLIAMS MEMORABLE RETURN
Away from the championship headlines, there were personal stories that made the Cambrian Rally every bit as meaningful as the battle at the front.
James Williams third-place finish was a particularly special result. After an incredibly difficult 18 months, his return to rallying carried a significance that went far beyond the result sheet.
Motorsport can be an unforgiving sport, and getting back behind the wheel after a prolonged period of personal difficulty takes real determination. To return and immediately deliver a podium performance made the achievement all the more impressive.
His result was a reminder that rallying is not simply about stage times, championship points or the machinery. It is also about resilience, the support of those around you and the determination to get back to doing something you love.
A well-deserved result and a story to remember from this year’s Cambrian.
INTER-CLUB: Hirst and Dear lead the way
The Interclub category delivered its own competitive battle through the demanding North Wales forests, with Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear taking victory in their Škoda Fabia Rally2.
The pair, previous winners of the Cambrian Rally, produced another impressive performance to head the Interclub classification, demonstrating their speed and consistency across the nine challenging special stages.
Daniel Sigurdsson and Ásta Sigurdardottir finished second in their Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, rounding off a strong drive in conditions that left little room for mistakes. With heavy rain, standing water and slippery gravel making the stages increasingly treacherous, finishing the event was an achievement in itself.
The Interclub field saw a significant number of retirements, with 51 crews classified and 27 recorded as retirements. It was a clear indication of just how demanding this year’s event proved to be.Congratulations to Hirst and Dear on their Interclub victory, and to all the crews who battled through the conditions to reach the finish in Llandudno.
