16/07/2026
Mach 1 Stages Rally 2026 – Event Report
The Mach 1 Stages Rally got underway with our first stage starting at 10:26am in cloudy but warm conditions, making tyre choice one of the biggest challenges of the weekend. As the temperatures climbed throughout the day, we opted to fit a new set of hard compound tyres to the front for the afternoon loop, which proved to be the right decision for the conditions.
Unfortunately, we struggled with gear selection throughout the event. We made several adjustments which helped but never completely solved the issue.
Despite the setbacks, we kept pushing and were enjoying a strong run. Going into the final loop we were on course for 3rd in class and an impressive 23rd overall, putting us in a great position for a solid finish.
Disaster struck on the final loop of the last stage when the engine catastrophically failed. A connecting rod exited the engine block and punched its way through the exhaust downpipe, bringing our rally to an immediate end.
It’s a hugely disappointing way to finish after such a promising performance, but there were plenty of positives to take away. The pace was there, the car was competitive, and until the engine failure we were well on target for one of our best results.
A massive thank you to everyone who helped, supported and cheered us on throughout the event. We’ll regroup, rebuild, and come back stronger for the next rally.
