The Hills Ford Stages Rally is set to take place at locations across Shropshire in September.
But concerns have been raised over the impact of the rally, after it was moved to Shropshire from Herefordshire.
Former councillor Peter Phillips, of Bishops Castle, has branded the event “inappropriate”, hitting out at organisers for not revealing the full route.
The part of the route that has been revealed, Mr Phillips said, takes in south-west Shropshire locations including Shelve, The Bog, and Linley Woods, on the flanks of the Stiperstones and in to the Shropshire Hills National Landscape.
Mr Phillips said he fears the rally could interfere with farming activity, harm nature, and damage roads and verges along with causing “significant disruption” to residents, commercial activities, and other road users.
He also questioned the consultation that has been carried out by organisers.
“The only direct consultation appears to be with premises along the closed sections, where speed trials will take place,” Mr Phillips said.
“Anywhere else along the route will know nothing about it.”
South Shropshire MP Stuart Anderson confirmed he had spoken to local residents who have expressed their opposition to the rally and has passed these concerns on to organisers and Shropshire Council, adding that “organisers are following the legal process and the proposal is currently being considered by the Council under the Road Traffic Act”.
Rally organisers said they have complied with every legal requirement and have been working with Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council since August 2025, with an event safety plan created.
“Safety is our highest priority, and for this reason the full route is not made public until much nearer the event to prevent any instances or allegations of copycat driving,” a spokesperson said.
Organisers said they have contacted more than 250 residents, farms and businesses on the route, the vast majority of whom have been supportive, with liaison to continue.
“We have received five complaints to date, all of which we have or are responding to,” they added.
Organisers said the rally does not use any off-road land or damage landscape or the environment, while any wear and tear to roads or verges “will be made good”.
“The Hills Ford Stages is a televised event attracting considerable numbers of visitors and tourists, many of whom will not have visited Shropshire before, and many of whom remain longer for holidays,” the spokesperson added.
“It is estimated that the event will bring in excess of £500,000 to the county.”
Cheltenham Motor Club cancelled the 2025 rally, which was set to be held in Ledbury, in July last year, saying they had been unable to secure the necessary motor race order and road closure order from Herefordshire Council.
A freedom of information request later revealed a list of some 26 issues raised by residents that had to be resolved before permission could be given.
They included concerns over a lack of information on the route, road closures, vehicle numbers and movements; over noise and “general disturbance”, lack of “welfare facilities”, damage to roads, and negative impact on local businesses.
There were also fears over restrictions to access at farms, of “aggressive or copycat driving before and after the event”, and disruption to another event.
