The Donington Stage Rally is one of the UK's most exciting rally events, transforming the famous Donington Park Circuit into a challenging mix of tarmac stages, technical corners and high-speed sections. Bringing together historic rally cars, modern competition machinery and talented drivers, the event provides fantastic opportunities for motorsport fans and photographers alike.
I attended the rally to capture the speed, atmosphere and variety of vehicles competing throughout the day. From classic Ford Escorts throwing mud across the circuit to modern four-wheel-drive rally cars attacking every corner, there was no shortage of exciting photographic moments.
Photographed using my Canon 200D and 24–105mm lens , the event allowed me to experiment with different compositions while documenting one of the Midlands' premier motorsport events.
Rally Action at Donington Park
Unlike circuit racing, stage rallying constantly changes throughout the course. Drivers tackle tight corners, mixed surfaces and unpredictable grip levels, creating dramatic moments that reward quick reactions from photographers.
Whether photographing cars accelerating out of hairpins, sliding through muddy sections or braking into technical corners, every stage offers a completely different challenge.
The changing conditions throughout the day meant every run produced unique images, making rally photography one of the most exciting forms of motorsport photography.
Classic Rally Cars
.The iconic Ford Escort Mk2 remains one of the most recognisable rally cars ever built. Watching these lightweight rear-wheel-drive machines slide through the corners while throwing mud into the air created some of my favourite images from the day.
Classic rally cars continue to attract huge crowds thanks to their unmistakable sound, character and driving style
Ford Fiesta rally car powering through a open tarmac section during the Donington Stage Rally.
Modern Rally Cars
Model: 1999 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI (Evo 6).
Driver & Team: Steve Hill, frequently accompanied by co-drivers like Hal Ridge or Patrick O'Donovan.
Modifications: Hill's Evo 6 is a dedicated rally and hillclimb machine featuring high-performance upgrades, including a 6-speed sequential gearbox and specialized suspension.
Livery: Typically features a white body with red and yellow geometric patterns and prominent "SGS" logos.
The Tegiwa Donington Rally on November 30, 2025, veteran driver Steve Hill, accompanied by co-driver Hal Ridge, finished 10th overall and 2nd in Class 2 for non-homologated 4WD cars
Although widely recognised for driving his Mitsubishi Evo VI, Hill has also competed in the 5 Nations British Rallycross Championship with a heavily modified Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. The car features custom carbon-kevlar bodywork and produces around 550 bhp, making it a serious rallycross machine.
With years of motorsport experience, Hill returned to rally competition in 2023 behind the wheel of his iconic Evo VI, continuing his long-running connection with the sport.
the Tegiwa Donington Rally on November 30, 2025, the Ford Fiesta R5 (registration R5 YBG) was driven by Jack Darbyshire, with Matthew Kendall as the co-driver.
The crew finished in 4th place overall with a time of 49:56, finishing approximately 1 minute and 4 seconds behind the event winners.
Photographing Motorsport
Motorsport photography requires anticipating the action rather than reacting to it.
Cars often appear for only a fraction of a second before disappearing into the next corner, meaning camera settings, autofocus and positioning all need to be prepared well in advance.
Capturing sharp images while preserving a sense of speed is one of the most rewarding aspects of photographing rally events, especially when changing weather and lighting conditions add another layer of challenge.
The Donington Stage Rally was a great opportunity to capture a mix of classic and modern rally cars in action. More motorsport and automotive photography galleries will be added regularly as new events are covered across the UK.
