Around 150 high performance rally cars are spending the weekend taking on closed roads and a country estate in Shropshire.
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The Hills Ford Stages Rally arrived in Shropshire this weekend.
The rally is a major two-day motorsport event taking place across on closed public roads in South Shropshire on Sunday, and around special stages in Weston Park.
Organised by the Cheltenham Motor Club, it features rally crews racing against the clock in time trials for a variety of national championships, including the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship, Historic Masters Rally Challenge, Roger Albert Clark Historic Asphalt Championship and the JD Tyres Welsh Tarmacadam Championship.
A host of Shropshire rally drivers were set to compete over the weekend including Church Stretton co-driver Phil Clarke who is partnering with Jason Pritchard in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, Shrewsbury's own Gareth Price driving a BMW E36 Compact, and a number of local competitors such as Lee Edwards and Andy Brinkley.
The event began in Shrewsbury town centre’s Claremont Street on Saturday as the cars lined up at 1pm for a ceremonial start.
The rally cars then headed to Weston Park, where a festival event celebrating the rally was taking place, and the cars headed to the start line for a closed competition stage - featuring the estate’s famed water splash.
The rally festival also saw members of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and Wales Air Ambulance Charity, which are being supported by the motorsport event and a host of activities and entertainment was put on including motorsport displays, food and drink, family friendly attractions and interactive experiences.
On Sunday, the rally moves to five closed Shropshire roads around Clee Hill, The Lawley in the Shropshire Hills, Dorrington and Linley.
Competing cars will take part in time trials along the stages which range from five to 12 miles in length.
Temporary road closures will be in force on Sunday to allow the rally to happen, and spectators are being encouraged to use designated viewing areas to watch.
