Are you under the age of 35? Are you the driver? Enjoy a 30% discount on the entry fee. Enquire here.
The popular HERO Challenge series returns for 2026 with the first round being based in the South West using the Holiday Inn in Taunton as the starting point.
We will have a good selection of tests plus the South West roads on a weekend before it gets too busy in the season.
The event will follow the normal format for a HERO Challenge with scrutineering on the Friday afternoon and evening. Saturday morning will see competitors departing for a full day’s competition in and around the South West before heading back to the Holiday Inn for the finish and prize giving.
Event Schedule
Day 0 - Scrutineering & Documentation - 10th April 2026
Scrutineering and Documentation is scheduled as usual on Friday afternoon/early evening allowing crews plenty of time to travel.
Day 1 - Rally Day - 11th April 2026
The 150-mile route starting and finishing at the Holiday Inn Taunton, as well as lunch within the fabulous grounds of Bridwell Park, will follow the usual HERO Challenge format of around 7 Regularities and smooth tests around the Somerset/Devon border, taking in the Blackdown Hills and utilising the quality airfields built for WW2 as test venues along with the prestigious Wiscombe Park Hillclimb.
The majority of crews will be back to finish before 5:30pm affording the opportunity to head home in good time after the awards presentation.
Vehicle Information
- Entry is open to cars of a model type available pre-1991
- The cars will be split into classes, based on age and cc or other criteria established by the organisers
What is included in the Entry Fee?
- Event participation for one eligible car with a crew of two – Driver & Navigator
- Detailed Route Book & Time Cards
- Lunch and Prize Giving Buffet Dinner for each crew member along with refreshments at specific locations advised in the route book
- Awards presentation
- One souvenir rally plate
- Two side number panels
- Overall awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd
- Class Awards to third in class – if there are three or more crews per class
- Special awards at organisers discretion
- HERO-ERA mechanical assist/sweep team(s) on event, to help keep crews moving
- An experienced team of HERO-ERA officials & marshals to keep the event moving and on track
- Results team and Media team keeping your family and friends, following the event, up to date
- Post event, detailed results book
Entry List
| Driver | Navigator | Year | Vehicle | CC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Davis (MY) | Stewart Raynor (GB) | 1968 | MG B | 1800 |
| Alan Selwood (GB) | Mike Jones (GB) | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Andy Simpson (GB) | Robb Lyne (GB) | 1980 | Austin/Morris Mini 1275 GT | 1275 |
| Ben Morgan (GB) | TBC | 1966 | Ford Lotus Cortina | 1558 |
| Bron Burrell (GB) | TBC | 1969 | Austin Maxi | 1750 |
| Colin Jebson (GB) | Keith Storer (GB) | 1966 | Volvo Amazon 122S | 1780 |
| Dave Batchelor (GB) | Jackie Batchelor (GB) | 1971 | Opel Manta | 1897 |
| David Bundy (GB) | Debbie Bundy (GB) | 1972 | Triumph 2.5 Mk2 PI | 2500 |
| David Hewitt (GB) | Daniel Hewitt (GB) | 1978 | Datsun 260z | 2600 |
| David Ward (GB) | Sally Ward (GB) | 1972 | Lancia Fulvia 1600HF | 1584 |
| Dick Baines (GB) | Harry Baines (GB) | 1965 | Austin Mini Cooper S | 1275 |
| Douglas Fuller (GB) | Joseph Somerville (GB) | 1989 | Peugeot 205 GTI | 1905 |
| Edward Wilkins | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Gavin Webster (GB) | Andy Chun (GB) | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Graeme Bolt (GB) | Graeme Bolt (GB) | 1974 | Fiat 124 Spider | 1800 |
| Harry Sherrard (GB) | Lorraine Sherrard | 1983 | Audi 80 Quattro | 2144 |
| Hugh Garnish (GB) | David Bell (GB) | 1990 | Ford Sierra GLS i 4x4 | 2933 cc |
| James Holt (GB) | Alistair Leckie (GB) | 1989 | BMW 325i | 2495 |
| John Dickson (GB) | Myles Castaldini (GB) | 1978 | Lancia Monte Carlo | 1995 |
| Jon Martin (GB) | Victoria Martin | 1959 | Austin Healey 3000 | 2981 |
| Malcolm Dunderdale (GB) | Anita Wickins (GB) | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Mark Lillington (GB) | Mark Bramall (GB) | 1965 | MG B | 1860 |
| Mark Shipman (GB) | TBC | 1980 | Triumph Dolomite Sprint | 1998 |
| Martin Ashby (GB) | Amanda Ashby (GB) | 1962 | Triumph TR4 | 2138 |
| Martin Paterson (GB) | Charlotte Crowther (GB) | 1957 | Austin Healey 100/6 | 2639 |
| Mike Dixon (GB) | Liz Dixon (GB) | 1973 | MG B GT | 1800 |
| Paul Day (GB) | Alun Jones (GB) | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Paul Sanders (GB) | Michael Davies (GB) | 1971 | MG Midget | 1275 |
| Paul Steddy (GB) | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Pete Johnson (IM) | Paul Crosby (GB) | 1987 | Porsche 924S | 2479 |
| Peter Trotter (GB) | Celia Djivanovic (GB) | 1988 | Mercedes Benz 300SL | 2960 |
| Rachel Sheach (GB) | TBC | |||
| Shelagh Yeomans (GB) | Brian Yeomans (GB) | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Simon Malins (GB) | Phil Cottam (GB) | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Steve Robertson (GB) | Julia Robertson (GB) | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Sue Ray (GB) | TBC | 1965 | Volvo Amazon 122S | 1780 |
| Toby Sleeman (GB) | Ali Sleeman (GB) | 1973 | Fiat 124 Spider | 1592 |