Staged in welcome spring sunshine, the fifth edition of Rally the Globe’s award-winning Generations Rally proved another huge success. Living up to its billing, the event was once again open to crews of different generations, introducing a raft of newcomers to the joys of competition in evocative pre-1986 cars.
This year’s weekend rally was backed by insurance specialist Kingfisher Private Client and based at Delta St Pierre Country Club, on the edge of the ancient Forest of Dean and within reach of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. Competitors also enjoyed access to many of the epic driving roads of mid-Wales, as well as the historic, honey-coloured Cotswolds.
In total, crews of varying ages and experience tackled almost 360 miles, featuring 13 Passage Controls, 12 Speed Tests and eight Regularities along a carefully devised route designed to provide both drivers and navigators with a brilliant insight into the camaraderie and sporting challenge of a Rally the Globe event.
The packed entry of 83 cars was split into Vintage and Classic categories. The former was largely filled with Bentleys and Frazer Nash TT Replicas, while the latter showcased a spectacular array of legendary marques, ranging from Aston Martin and Austin-Healey to Volvo Amazons and Volkswagen’s seminal Golf GTI.
Indeed, the eye-catching line-up featured icons from almost every revered automotive brand, including AC, BMW, Bristol, Jaguar, Lancia, Mercedes-Benz, MG, Mini, Sunbeam and Triumph. Rally-proven Ford Escorts were also well represented, alongside a strong contingent of Porsche 911s.
Following Friday morning’s pre-event checks and paperwork – once Rally the Globe’s coveted rally plates had been applied – the afternoon provided eager crews with a brisk yet welcoming introduction to the delights and challenges of endurance rallying.
The action began with an opening Speed Test at Chepstow Racecourse, followed in order by a Regularity above the Wye Valley, a series of Passage Controls, fortifying tea and cakes, and a second Regularity through the Forest of Dean, before returning to the home of the Welsh Grand National for the day’s final Test.
By the end of day one, Michael and Ann Boland led the Vintage class in their 1936 Ford V8 Convertible, while two-time winners Jack and Simon Brien headed the Classic category in their twice-victorious black 1972 Porsche 911.
After a misty start, a bright and sunny second day took crews deep into the stunning Welsh countryside, with seven Tests and four Regularities spread across a 176-mile route, either side of a well-earned lunch stop at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Showground in Builth Wells.
While the Brien Porsche continued to lead the Classic category, the Pre-War standings saw a shake-up. The 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C of Andy and Grace Johnson moved into the lead, as the previously leading Ford dropped out of the top ten.
Following the rigours of Saturday, Sunday’s schedule was more relaxed, allowing crews to enjoy a slightly shorter day ahead of the prize-giving lunch and early afternoon departures.
The spotlight shifted east towards the Cotswolds for three further Tests and three Regularities, all blessed with excellent weather. Although positions changed further down the leaderboard, both the Brien and Johnson crews held firm to secure their respective victories.
For Simon and Jack Brien, it marked three consecutive wins in the same Porsche. Swiss crew Manuel Dubs and Luca Arrigucci finished second in their 1970 Excalibur Phaeton, with Rowan and Frank Hussey completing the podium in their 1966 MGB.
In the Pre-War category, Irish duo Andy and Grace Johnson claimed their first Generations Rally victory. Fellow Irish father-and-son pairing Eric and John Kavanagh climbed to second place after finishing third the previous year, while Rose de Montmorency and her aunt Philippa Bailey secured a podium finish for the third consecutive year, having won in 2024 and finished second 12 months ago.
Understandably, both winning crews were delighted with their achievements and full of praise for the event. “Another fabulous few days with Rally the Globe,” enthused Simon Brien, who now shares more of the 911 driving duties with his son Jack. “We’ve enjoyed magnificent scenery through South Wales and the Cotswolds. It’s such a great event—everything ran like clockwork from start to finish. Once again, the car performed brilliantly and didn’t let us down… though we may now need some new tyres!”
“It’s been a fantastic event organised by Rally the Globe,” confirmed Andy Johnson. “We’ve experienced some beautiful countryside, and my daughter Grace didn’t put a foot wrong all weekend. The Alfa was my grandfather’s car – he bought it in 1937 and rallied it both before and after the war – so the family has a deep connection and has had a lot of fun with it over the years.”
The Spirit of the Rally Award, presented by Kingfisher Private Client, was awarded to Ben Medcalf, at just 13 years old the youngest navigator on the rally. Honourable mentions went to the Boland family, who fielded six entries, and to Craig and Agnes McWilliam, whose 1927 Frazer Nash Super Sports completed the rally with less that a full complement functioning gears.
Presenting the awards, Rally Director Mark Appleton praised the entire Rally the Globe team for delivering another outstanding event and thanked both the event sponsor, Kingfisher Private Client, and Club partners RM Sotheby’s and Cauvery Wealth.
“This is a truly unique rally that each year brings together an incredible group of people, all determined to enjoy themselves while embracing the challenges and camaraderie that define the world of historic motoring,” he said. “The format not only brings families together but also plays an important role in ensuring that future generations carry the passion forward.”
Appleton also revealed that next year’s Generations Rally will return to the rugged scenery and outstanding driving roads of North East England over the 19–21 March weekend. With another full-capacity entry expected, registrations are about to open.
Meanwhile, the fifth running of the much-loved Generations Rally marks the start of another busy – and innovative – year for the highly regarded Rally the Globe team. Next up in May is another of the club’s popular annual events: the Vintage Shamrock, staged in Ireland exclusively for Pre-War cars.
This will be followed by three very different continental European events. The Nordic Challenge offers a more demanding route through the forests and fjords of Scandinavia, followed by the Vintage El Clavel – another competitive adventure for older cars—set in north-west Spain.
The year concludes with Rally the Globe’s first-ever non-competitive event. Discover Sicily will take entrants on a magical 10-day premium driving tour, beginning in Puglia in southern Italy before crossing the Messina Strait and exploring the rich cultural, historic, scenic and gastronomic highlights of the Mediterranean’s largest island.
2026 GENERATIONS RALLY: RESULTS
Category A: Pre-War
1. Andy & Grace Johnson (IE/IE) 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1m:57s (time penalties)
2. Eric & John Kavanagh (IE/IE) 1934 Fraser Nash TT Replica 2m:03s
3. Rose de Montmorency & Philippa Bailey (GB/GB) 1938 Triumph Dolomite 3m:05s
4. Peter & Momo Forster (DE/DE) 1936 Lagonda LG 45 Rapide 3m:18s
5. Shaun & Ed Harborne (GB/GB) 1924 Bentley 3 Litre Speed 3m:30s
Category B: Classic
1. Jack & Simon Brien (GB/GB) 1972 Porsche 911 0m:31s (time penalties)
2. Manuel Dubs & Luca Arrigucci (CH/CH) 1970 Excalibur Phaeton 0m:51s
3. Ronan & Frank Hussey (IE/IE) 1964 MGB 1m:09s
4. Dick & Harry Baines (GB/GB) 1965 Austin Mini Cooper S 1m:16s
5. Andrew & Andrew Jr Boland (IE/IE) 1973 Porsche 911 1m:27s
RALLY THE GLOBE CALENDAR (2026-2027)
11-14 May 2026 Vintage Shamrock
28 June-10 July 2026 Nordic Challenge
13-19 September 2026 Vintage El Clavel
11-21 October 2026 Discover Sicily
19-21 March 2027 Generations Rally
10-13 May 2027 Vintage Shamrock
June 2027 Carrera (location tbc)
13 October-11 November 2027 28 States Marathon
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