MGJ Engineering Brands Hatch winter stages Stages
Welcome to the First Blog of my 2026 season,
where I take you to the track. Follow my Journey as I head to the circuit to capture the photography that makes my everyday tick!
Please take the time to watch my short video excerpts showing my trip down, and the Aftermath of what was an epic adventure.
Please feel free to see my Photography from this event, by clicking on the Image
MGJ Engineering Brands Hatch Winter Stages, held on 17 January 2026, served as a thrilling season opener for the Brands Hatch centenary year. From a photographer's perspective, the event offered a masterclass in capturing "survival as much as speed".
Photographer's Field Review
The day was a visual evolution from greasy morning tarmac to bright afternoon light.
Challenging Conditions: Heavy pre-event rain left the surface treacherous. Early stages at Paddock Hill Bend and Druids were prime spots for "drama" shots, as mud and gravel dragged onto the track led to several red flags and incidents.
Unique Angles: One of the best features for "spectator snappers" is the use of the circuit in reverse direction, which opens up gaps in the fencing at Druids that aren't usually usable for standard racing.
The "Pitlane" Vibe: Modern rally photography at Brands often focuses on the Indy Circuit and Pitlane complex, where the tight, technical sections allow for close-up action shots as cars navigate improvised chicanes.
Gear & Technique: Professionals recommend a 70-200mm for versatility or a 200-500mm for head-on shots through the fences. Shooting through the fence is a must-have skill here to get "clean" images without standard circuit barriers.
Event Schedule (17 January 2026)
The rally consisted of eight demanding stages covering approximately 35 miles of sealed surface.
TimeStage / ActivityDetails08:00Gates OpenPublic entry begins.09:00Stage 1 StartsOpening stage in freezing, slippery conditions.09:56Stage 2 Starts4.4-mile stage.11:16Stage 3 Starts4.4-mile stage.12:07Stage 4 Starts3.7-mile stage; final stage before the lunch break.13:25Stage 5 Starts3.7-mile stage.14:14Stage 6 Starts3.8-mile stage.15:30Stage 7 Starts3.8-mile stage.16:20Stage 8 StartsFinal 4.2-mile stage.
Final Results
The event saw a dramatic shift after the lunchtime leaders, Patrick O'Donovan and Sven Grube, were disqualified for a split junction infringement.
PosCrewVehicleTotal Time1Michael Igoe / Will AtkinsCitroën C3 Rally229:222Stuart Maloney / Kristian YearwoodŠkoda Fabia RS Rally229:40 (+18s)3John Stone / Rhys StonemanVolkswagen Polo GTI R529:51 (+29s)4John Griffiths / Emma MorrisonŠkoda Fabia R530:00 (+38s)5Sean Quigley / Colin QuigleyFord Fiesta Rally230:11 (+49s)
