ORGANISERS of a popular rally have cancelled this year’s event and hit back at claims they failed to provide information needed for approval to be granted.

The Hills Ford Rally was scheduled to take place on September 13-14 but Herefordshire Council claimedthere were “a number of outstanding issues which still needed to be addressed.”

“We were unable to make a decision on the road closures until this information had been received for consideration,” the council said.

Organisers Cheltenham Motor Club reluctantly pulled the plug on this year’s event claiming “many, if not all of [the council’s] concerns have been answered within the documents already supplied, of which there are many, detailing every aspect of the event as far back as January.”

Even the intervention of the sport’s governing body Motorsport UK “over the last month or so” failed to resolve the impasse, they added.

Motorsport UK did not respond when asked for comment.

“The organisers had earlier said their treatment by Herefordshire Council contrasted with the “quick response and support” of neighbouring Gloucestershire County Council.

A Cheltenham Motor Club spokesman said: “Despite extensive preparations and the dedication of our volunteers, we have been unable to secure the necessary Motor Race Order and Road Closure Order from Herefordshire Council - critical permissions required to move forward with the event.

“In contrast, we successfully obtained the requisite orders from Gloucestershire Council as early as May 2025, and we are very appreciative of their quick response and support.

“Our application for both counties was submitted in January 2025. Since then, our team has engaged in exhaustive resident liaison efforts, personally contacting over 700 properties affected by proposed road closures.

“At the time of this announcement, we are aware of just seven objectors residing within the affected areas.”