RALLY fans and competitors converged from across the country last weekend for the second Three Shires Stages closed-road rally. 

The 66-mile event, which was first run in 2019 but cancelled last year, saw some 140 rally cars race around five circuits in the borders of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. 

The rally was officially launched in Ledbury town centre on Saturday, before the main event throughout Sunday. 

Writing on Facebook on Monday (September 6) organisers thanked all the marshals and other volunteers for helping to run the rally. The message continued: “We also wish to thank the residents of Ledbury and the Three Shires for your support in running the rally and your enthusiastic attendance at the Ceremonial Start and the spectator stages.”

Participant Brian Maximus Stevens said: “We had a great day servicing and later on spectating as our car went out. It was great to see so many in Ledbury on Saturday evening. Be great if the finish could be held there on a Sunday evening as well.”

Motorsports fan Tom Clark took to twitter to thank the three county councils for their help in staging the event, which was organised by Cheltenham Motor Club.

He wrote: “Great to see councils and residents embracing and enjoying Motorsport! Such an exhilarating day! The locals were incredibly supportive and the overwhelming majority had a great time.”

Prior to the event, organisers had taken pains to ensure residents that nobody would end up “imprisoned” in their homes due to the event. 

Jeff Wheeler, organiser and resident liaison officer, said: “We have been working on organising this for at least 18 months, in fact since the first event in 2019 really. It is an awful lot of organisation goes into it.”

Herefordshire Councillor Liz Harvey thanked organisers for bringing the opening to the town she represents. “Lovely ceremonial start to your event,” she wrote. “Thanks for all your hard work and thoughtful preparation.”

The rally, sponsored by Hills Ford, was based at the Three Counties Showground and included three spectator areas at Gospel Oak, near Newent Golf Course, Eldersfield and Clenchers Mill, Bromsberrow.

The results of the rally are still being collated before any winners can be declared. For more information about the event visit threeshiresstages.co.uk.