East Riding Stages Rally combines dramatic finish with climate action
- Mar 3
- 3 min read
The East Riding Stages Rally once again demonstrated how top-level rallying can sit alongside responsible environmental action, as Beverley and District Motor Club continued its partnership with Carbon Positive Motorsport for the 2026 event.
Building on a long-standing sustainability strategy, the rally measured and offset the carbon emissions associated with all competitor fuel usage across the weekend. The initiative forms part of a wider environmental roadmap that has been in place since 2022, covering competitor fuel, organisational logistics and, where data allows, spectator travel.
Sam Touzel / Max Freeman on their way to victory on this year's East Riding Stages Rally.
Photo: Paul Marshall, Rally Media UK
For the 2026 rally, all competitor fuel used during the event was mitigated using verified Carbon Reduction Units, ensuring emissions directly linked to the competition were balanced in a transparent and accountable way. In addition, an equivalent volume was secured through Pending Issuance Units from the Sequoia project under the Sequoia Carbon Standard, supporting long-term UK woodland creation and biodiversity recovery.
While sustainability remained a central focus, the rally itself delivered a thrilling contest, with reigning Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Champions Sam Touzel and Max Freeman taking victory by just four seconds after an intense battle throughout the weekend in their Ford Fiesta Rally2.
Crowds packed Beverley town centre for the ceremonial start beneath North Bar Within before crews headed into the darkness to tackle the Spectator Superspecial Stage on Beverley Westwood.
Early pace-setters Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear briefly led after the opening stage in their Skoda Fabia Rally2, but Touzel and Freeman quickly established themselves among the front runners. The rally remained finely balanced throughout the opening leg, with Touzel edging ahead overnight by just four tenths of a second from James Ford and Neil Shanks in their Citroen C3 Rally2.
The rally's ceremonial start at Beverley North Bar Within. Photo: Andy Ford
Sunday’s stages produced further drama as changing conditions and tyre choices shaped the battle for victory. Ford briefly moved ahead after the Seaton stage, but Touzel regained the advantage as the rally progressed.
Rain during the final leg made tyre selection critical, and Touzel’s decision to run wet tyres proved decisive as Ford struggled for grip on slicks. Despite Ford setting the pace on the final stages, Touzel and Freeman held on to secure victory by four seconds.
Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear completed the podium in third place after a consistent drive against a strong field of asphalt specialists.
Clerk of the Course Matthew Atkinson said the dramatic finish highlighted the rally’s competitive strength: “The four second margin at the finish after an hour of hotly contested stages shows just how competitive the East Riding Stages Rally has become. The standard at the front was extremely high, and the tyre decisions in the final leg made a real difference.”
The podium celembrations in Beverley Saturday Market. Photo: Andy Ford
Delivered with the support of more than 800 marshals and volunteers, the rally once again combined competitive action with strong local support in Beverley and across the East Riding. The commitment of volunteers, the engagement of the host communities and the event’s ongoing sustainability programme together underline the collaborative approach that continues to shape the East Riding Stages Rally.
Event founder Richard Vincent said the approach reflects the club’s ambition to lead by example.
“We are proud to continue our efforts to make the East Riding Stages Rally a benchmark for sustainable motorsport. By measuring and offsetting all competitor fuel usage at 200 per cent, we are not only addressing the unavoidable emissions from rallying, but also contributing to projects that leave a lasting environmental legacy.”
Steve Smith, Director of Carbon Positive Motorsport, welcomed the continued collaboration.
“East Riding Stages Rally has shown consistent leadership within British rallying. Introducing competitor fuel offsetting set an important benchmark. Continuing to refine that approach and matching the investment again through the Sequoia woodland project reflects a long-term commitment to responsible event delivery.”
With solutions tailored specifically for motorsport, Carbon Positive Motorsport enables the sport to take credible climate action. Their carbon offsetting supports nature restoration projects across the UK, with measurable benefits for biodiversity and resilience.
If you want to get involved, Carbon Positive Motorsport make it simple and effective to reduce your impact, by choosing to offset your entire season of competition, or just the fuel usage for one event.
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