Rali Ceredigion sets new record as School Engagement Programme more than doubles

JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion has reached more than 4,500 school children, students and young people in the region, as part of its mission to engage with local communities and empower young people to explore motorsport opportunities and career paths. 

Drivers have taken their rally cars to more than 40 primary schools, nurseries and pupil referral units across Ceredigion. A special School Exhibition Day saw 250 secondary school students learn about the education and career opportunities in motorsport and the motorsport supply chain. 

Now in its sixth year and attracting top rally crews from across the UK and Europe, Rali Ceredigion continues to grow and showcase the highlights of Mid Wales to a global audience. The rally is the UK round of the FIA European Rally Championship.

Its Rali Engage community programme has expanded every year, doubling the number of school visits in 2026 to meet pupils, teach them about road safety and the event. The programme also gives them a unique opportunity to get close to the rally cars and question some of the region’s top drivers. 

Jayne Day, Rali Ceredigion school engagement co-ordinator, said: “The feedback from last year was overwhelmingly positive so we’ve expanded the programme this year to visit a record number of schools and students.

“The pupils love these events and this year we have been to a couple of pupil referral units for children who are not in mainstream schooling. It is lovely to see how engaged these youngsters are by meeting the drivers and seeing the cars close-up and even getting to sit in the driver’s seat.”  

Over 20 drivers supported the programme, taking their rally cars and meeting the young people to talk about their rally experience and answer questions.

They included British Rally Championship front-runners Osian Pryce, Meirion Evans and Tom Cave, together with local stars Andy Davies, Chris Richmond Hand, Glyn Jones, Hywel Davies, Huw James, Dafydd Williams, Al Morgans, Peter Lewis, Tomos  Davies Pencwnc, Ieuan Pantsod, Henri Cynwyl, Dylan James, Gareth Edwards, Rhys Williams and Beau Thomas.

Louisa Scannell, teacher in charge at Canolfan Aeron Pupil Referral Unit in Aberaeron, said: “We’re so grateful that Rali Ceredigion and Aberystwyth Motorsports came in to school and had a workshop with the pupils.

“The opportunity was invaluable to our pupils who had never been close to a rally car before. The enthusiasm and knowledge from the team spurred the interests of the pupils and we hope to be working closely with them again in the future.”

Macs Jones, a student at Ysgol Henry Richard, Tregaron, said: “The visit from Rali Ceredigion was great. We had the chance to meet with the rally team, the drivers and even get into the rally cars.

“The difference between the cars was interesting and we found out that one was built near our school. We were also told about all the safety features of the drivers’ clothes and the car and got to wear a rally helmet. I’m looking forward to watching the rally in September.”

The new Schools Experience Day for secondary pupils was held at The Pavilion in Pontrhydfendigaid. Hosted by S4C Ralio’s Emyr Penlan and Hana Medi, it involved businesses, universities, colleges, training providers, emergency services and road safety organisations. 

The event showcased career opportunities within motorsport and its wider supply chain and included rally simulators, activities, careers information and live interviews with local young people who have forged careers in motorsport across the world. 

Wendy Price-Jones, progress leader at Ysgol Gyfun, Aberaeron, said: “The pupils experienced, in their words, a ‘fantastic day’. I met them on their return to school and they were all very happy and inspired.”

Police Constables Hannah Evans, North Ceredigion Schools officer and Leighton Daniel of the Roads Policing Unit, attended and PC Evans said: “We were delighted to have the chance to speak with dozens of pupils. They were asking insightful questions and showed genuine desire to hear and understand our advice regarding road safety.

“These types of conversations with young people are invaluable in spreading safety messages far and wide, to ultimately keep all road users as safe as possible.”

Rali Ceredigion’s Rali engage manager David Edwards said: “The Schools Experience Day was extremely worthwhile. Clearly the students loved it and we showcased the opportunities out there for young people in motorsport and associated industries, such as the media, technology and engineering. 

“If we can inspire even a handful of the hundreds of students who came along to investigate these career and education opportunities, then it shows the day is worth doing.

“As well as the clear economic boost it gives to Ceredigion and Powys, the exhibition day and the schools visits show increasingly how the rally is a real part of the community, bringing real benefits to people, not just something that rocks up and takes over Aberystwyth for a weekend.

“For a volunteer-run event where people give up so much of their time to organise and run things like the school visits, that is really rewarding.”

JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion is a round of the FIA European Rally Championship and the British Rally Championship. It begins with a ceremonial start on Thursday, September 3 on Aberystwyth promenade followed by 16 rally stages across Ceredigion and Powys from September 4-6.

In 2025, the event delivered a £11.65 million impact to the local region and was broadcast to a TV audience of over 100 million people across 120 countries.