Jim Clark Rally Ready to Roar Back Into the Borders

The roads around Duns will once again echo to the sound of rally cars later this month as the 2026 Borders Competitions Jim Clark Rally returns for another hugely anticipated weekend in the Scottish Borders.

Running from 22–24 May, the event remains one of the standout fixtures in British rallying and forms a key round of the 2026 Probite British Rally Championship, alongside the Scottish Rally Championship and Protyre National Asphalt Championship.

Named after legendary Formula One world champion Jim Clark, the rally has built a reputation for fast, narrow and unforgiving closed-road stages that reward bravery and precision in equal measure. Since first running in 1970, it has become one of the most respected asphalt rallies in the UK.

This year’s event carries extra significance. Organisers have confirmed route changes following the tragic accident that claimed the life of co-driver Dai Roberts during the 2025 rally. The Edrom stage will not feature in 2026, with a new “Manderston” test introduced instead as a mark of respect.

Despite the emotional backdrop, anticipation for the rally itself is high, particularly with a strong BRC1 entry expected to produce one of the most competitive asphalt battles of the season.

Among the headline names are current championship contenders Osian Pryce and James Morgan in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, fresh from a strong start to the British Rally Championship campaign.

They will face serious opposition from a stacked field that includes Meirion Evans and Dale Furniss, local favourites Garry Pearson and Hannah McKillop, as well as rising star Max McRae alongside Cameron Fair.

The variety of Rally2 machinery adds another layer of intrigue. Toyota GR Yaris Rally2s, Skoda Fabia Rally2s, Ford Fiesta Rally2s and Volkswagen Polo R5s are all represented among the leading crews, ensuring no shortage of spectacle on the Borders lanes. One of the rally’s enduring appeals is its atmosphere. Unlike many forest-based events, the Jim Clark Rally brings motorsport directly into towns and villages, with Duns transforming into a bustling rally hub across the weekend.

Spectator numbers have consistently remained strong since the event’s return to the British Rally Championship in 2022. Last year’s event again demonstrated how deeply embedded the rally is within the local community. ITV Border described excitement building throughout the region ahead of the event, with fans hoping local crews could challenge for victory on home roads.

The stages themselves remain among the most demanding asphalt tests in Britain. Fast cambers, changing grip levels and narrow junctions leave little room for error. Drivers often describe the event as one of the closest experiences in UK rallying to a European closed-road tarmac rally. For the championship fight, the rally could prove pivotal. The Jim Clark sits early enough in the season to shape momentum in the title battle. A strong result in the Borders can quickly establish a championship favourite heading into the summer rounds.

Away from the competition, organisers continue preparations for another major logistical operation involving road closures, marshals and spectator management across the Borders region. The rally organisers have also continued to emphasise volunteer recruitment and spectator guidance in the lead-up to the event. What remains unchanged is the unique character of the Jim Clark Rally itself. There are quicker rallies in Britain, and there are rougher rallies too, but few combine history, atmosphere and technical challenge quite like this one.

With top crews committed, passionate local support expected once again, and some of the finest asphalt roads in the country waiting, all the ingredients are in place for another memorable chapter in the story of the Jim Clark Rally.

For rally fans across the UK, the countdown is very much on.

Official rally updates are available from Jim Clark Rally Official Website.