Carmichael Clinches Victory at 2025 Greystoke Stages Rally

Alan Carmichael and co-driver Harry Walshaw dominated the 2025 Greystoke Stages Rally, taking a convincing overall win in their Hyundai i20 Rally2. They finished with a commanding lead of 1 minute and 8 seconds after a faultless drive through the fast and technical gravel stages of Greystoke Forest, near Penrith.

Image by Gary Fothergill

The rally, a collaboration between West Cumbria Motorsport Club and Eden Valley Motor Club, drew a full-capacity entry. The single-venue event made use of stages often utilised by M-Sport for their World Rally Championship testing, adding extra prestige and challenge to the competition.

Image by Gary Fothergill

Angus Lawrie and Leesa Watson delivered a strong performance in their Mitsubishi Evo 9 to secure second place. Although they couldn’t match Carmichael’s searing pace, they remained consistently quick and finished well ahead of the chasing pack.

Image by Gary Fothergill

Third place went to the experienced pairing of John Stone and Rhys Stoneman in their Volkswagen Polo R5 GTI. Their clean and composed run across the day’s stages earned them a deserved spot on the podium in a field packed with talent.

The 2025 edition of the rally was once again lauded for its seamless organisation, high-quality stage preparation, and welcoming environment. Competitors praised the dedication and professionalism of the marshals and volunteers, who played a key role in ensuring the event ran smoothly and safely.

Photography and words by Gary Fothergill