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The Down Rally will return in 2026 as one of the selected rounds for the UK Asphalt Rally Championship, with organisers confirming a new date of 22 August for the popular motorsport event.
The Rathfriland Motor Club-organised event has been moved from its usual mid-July slot to become the penultimate Round 6 of the championship. The rally is famous for its incredible Northern Ireland closed road stages, including the legendary Hamilton's Folly, and will play a pivotal role in determining the overall and class titles next year.
The 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship is set for a seven-round showdown spanning England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the Isle of Man. The calendar features familiar favourites, some with new dates, new routes and new formats, as well as an exciting brand-new event location to guarantee a fresh and exhilarating challenge for every competitor.
The UK's premier sealed-surface series is once again run and promoted by the BTRDA and retains its inclusive class structure, designed to welcome the greatest variety of cars and drivers of all abilities who want to challenge themselves on some of Britain's best asphalt stages. Protyre Motorsport, the largest UK supplier of Pirelli, Michelin and Hoosier motorsport tyres, proudly continues as the championship's title sponsor for an unprecedented ninth consecutive season.
The championship format sees the best five scores from seven rallies count towards the end-of-season points tally, with no double-header rounds. The 2026 Protyre Asphalt season launches into action on 21/22 February with the East Riding Stages Rally, with the Down Rally taking place on 22 August as the penultimate round of the championship.
2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship
R1 - 21/22 February….East Riding Stages Rally
R2 - 8/9 May….Manx Rally
R3 - 22/23 May….Borders Competitions Jim Clark Rally
R4 - 19/20 June….Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally
R5 - 25/26 July….Tour of Epynt
R6 - 22 August….Down Rally
R7 - 19/20 September….Hills Ford Stages
