Osian Pryce and co-driver James Morgan have been crowned 2026 Motorsport UK British Rally Champions after one of the most dramatic and fiercely contested title deciders in the championship’s long history.
The pair secured the coveted title in spectacular fashion on the Lewis & Hunter Cambrian Rally, edging out their closest rivals by just 1.2 seconds in a thrilling finish across the legendary Welsh gravel stages.
Based in Llandudno and organised by North Wales Car Club for the 71st time, the season finale delivered a gripping three-way title battle involving Pryce, Max McRae and Meirion Evans, with everything to play for heading into the final round.
McRae, a member of Scotland’s celebrated rallying dynasty, began the event at the head of the championship standings, hoping to become the fourth member of his family to have his name engraved on the British Rally Championship trophy. His father, Alister, late uncle Colin and grandfather Jimmy, a five-time British champion, have all left their mark on the sport.
With North Walian Elfyn Evans having recently secured the World Rally Championship title, fellow Welshmen Pryce and Meirion Evans were also eager to follow in his tyre tracks by claiming British honours.
However, the title battle took several dramatic twists. Evans’ championship hopes evaporated when his Toyota slid off the road, forcing him to retire, while McRae’s challenge suffered an early setback after a spin on standing water.
The determined Scot refused to give up, though, mounting a sensational fightback that brought him to within touching distance of Pryce on the final stage. In a nerve-shredding climax, Pryce held his ground to secure victory by just 1.2 seconds and seal his second British Rally Championship crown.
Reflecting on his achievement, Pryce said: “I never thought I’d be in the position to win this title again. We’ve had our ups and downs since the last one, but I’ve kept persevering.
“Credit to Max and Meirion – it’s been a tough season. It was exciting bringing it down to the last stage of the last rally. I’d rather it had been a bit of a bigger gap!”
The drama was not confined to the main championship, with the Junior British Rally Championship also producing an extraordinary conclusion.
Luke Constantine and Ifan Devine emerged as champions following a final-stage reversal of fortune. Ben McFall had appeared on course to take the title, only for his hopes to be dashed in cruel circumstances when he was forced to stop on the final stage to clear a severely misted windscreen.
With the 2026 championship now decided after a spectacular season finale in North Wales, attention turns to 2027. The calendar for next year’s British Rally Championship is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
With the FIA World Rally Championship also returning to these shores with the new Rally Scotland, 2027 promises to be a memorable year for the sport in UK.