Jim Clark Rally to 'take time to remember Dai Roberts' when event returns in 2026
But concerns have been raised over the timing of the announcement...
Last updated 21st Oct 2025
The Jim Clark Rally has confirmed it will return to our region's roads over three days in May.
This year's event in the Scottish Borders was cut short following the death of co-driver Dai Roberts.
Organisers say next year's event, which will run from May 22nd to 24th, will take time to remember the 39-year-old Welshman.
He died after the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 he was co-piloting crashed near Edrom.
His driver, 27-year-old James Williams, was taken to hospital with what was described as "serious, but not life-threatening, injuries".
Based once again in Duns, the 2026 edition will feature around 100 competitive miles across the two-day rally.
The action begins on Friday evening with four special stages, ensuring the much-loved night-time tradition remains a core part of the event.
Saturday’s second leg will pack in around 65 miles across six demanding stages, offering an intense day of competition.
Sunday’s Jim Clark Reivers Rally will provide a fitting finale to the Scottish motorsport weekend, with around 58 miles over eight stages, ensuring, it says, another day of fast, flowing Border tarmac for crews and fans alike.
The Jim Clark Rally - named after the late Formula One legend, who stayed nearby - is believed to be worth almost £4 million a year to the local economy.
But Dai's widow, Louise Roberts, has revealed she wasn't consulted ahead of the announcement of the event's return, describing the timing as "absolutely disgusting".
Posting on Facebook, she said: "How the hell can the planning of this rally go ahead when investigation of my husband's death hasn’t even been completed?"
Motorsport UK announced a full investigation into the circumstances of the incident in May, which it's understood could take up to nine months to complete.
We've contacted both the event organisers and Motorsport UK for a response.
Speaking following this year's event, Berwickshire councillor Aileen Orr told Greatest Hits Radio: "I support the Jim Clark Rally, I think what they do is phenomenal. My own son was a navigator at one point."
"We know that rallying and motorsport is dangerous. These enthusiasts have spent years and years and years getting to the top. They know the risks.
"Nobody thinks they're going to die but, at the same time, they are very, very aware of the risks.
"And if they want to do it, and we want to spectate, then why ban it?"
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