By Isle of Wight Observer
A little over a year has passed since the Weaver Brothers Island Stages Rally 2024, which marked the first closed road stage rally ever to take place on the Island.
The Isle of Wight Car Club’s small organising team, collaborated with other clubs in the south to deliver an impressive event, that received glowing praise from competitors and the public alike.
Several thousand spectators lined the stages and witnessed a hard-fought rally, with battles that raged throughout the field. A dedicated team of the volunteers are, once again, putting in the work behind the scenes for the next event that takes place on Sunday, February 15.
The class of 2026 has clubmen and women from all walks of life, budgets and experience, both from the Isle of Wight and the mainland, as the rally approaches a full entry. From crews competing in their first closed-road rallies, all the way to seasoned campaigners and multiple rally-winners.
The first event ran in November 2024, but has moved to a new February date for logistical reasons, with the format remaining the same. The route is the same as the previous one, with one stage layout repeated four times in one direction, followed by the same route tackled in reverse a further four times in the afternoon, making eight stages in total of approximately 30 competitive stage miles.
The aim of the rally is to provide a challenge to the expert competitors and a springboard for those wishing to progress from the single venue rallies to stages held on closed public roads.
The service park only just outside Newport, will be where spectators can get up close with the service crews as they work to keep the cars going throughout the event.
Many Islanders will remember the stages running in the ’70s and ’80s in Parkhurst and Brighstone forests, but today the rally is an all tarmac affair.
Richard Weaver, rally sponsor, said: “We are delighted to support the event for the second time, and we wish you all an enjoyable day, whether you are spectating or competing; please respect the guidance from the marshals and help us run a safe and thrilling rally.”
The Isle of Wight Car Club is appealing for marshals to help run the event. If you are interested, please contact the club via their website iowcc.co.uk.
