Riponian Stages Rally: Speed Meets Sustainability

Underscoring our commitment to promoting sustainable practices within the motorsport community, we recently offset an estimated 18 tonnes of CO₂ emissions for the Riponian Stages Rally, held on 9th February 2025.

The rally, organised by Ripon Motor Sport Club, featured a challenging route through Boltby Forest, Cropton, and Gale Rigg, offering 44 stage miles, from three stages run twice.

Picture with thanks to Rally Media UK

In the Interclub event, Elliot Payne and Patrick Walsh delivered an outstanding performance in their Ford Fiesta Rally2, securing their third consecutive victory, navigating the fast and technical North Yorkshire forest stages with precision to ultimately win by a commanding margin.

In the Historic Rally Championship, Yorkshireman Dan Mennell, partnered by John Roberts, stormed to a long overdue victory. Overnight rain had left the classic Yorkshire forests very slippery and difficult, but he barely put a wheel wrong.

“That's absolutely magical,” said Mennell at the finish. “I used to watch all these guys when I was a lad and think: ‘I'd love to do that one day’. And here we are. It's like a dream come true.”

Picture with thanks to Rally Media UK

"It's fantastic to see a classic event like the Riponian taking such an impactful step toward sustainability, partnering for the very first time with our offsetting products and services." commented Steve Smith, founding director of Carbon Positive Motorsport.

"It's great to see that the organisers are taking the initiative to work towards offsetting some of the event's carbon footprint. Our services are the first step on their road map to acheiving their carbon reduction goals, and we have got them started by offsetting as much as possible in year one."

Picture with thanks to Rally Media UK

In partnership with Carbon Positive Motorsport, the rally offset their unavoidable emissions by 200%, with 18 tonnes of CO2 emissions offset immediately via Carbon Reduction Units (CRU's), and an additional 18 tonnes to be offset in the future using Pending Issuance Units (PIU's).

The PIU's come from UK-based rewilding projects delivered in collaboration with Highland Carbon. These projects are accredited under the Sequoia Carbon Code, ensuring they provide measurable benefits to biodiversity and climate resilience.

Nick Dale, Riponian Stages Rally Clerk of the Course, said: “Motorsport and sustainability can go hand in hand. Working with Carbon Positive Motorsport as part of our journey to Net Zero, the partnership not only offsets our emissions, but also encourages us to reduce our footprint further. Simple changes show that progress is possible, and by embracing offsetting, we’re setting an example for others in the motorsport community.”

To find out how your event can make a difference, visit carbonpositivemotorsport.com

Riponian Stages Rally Results:

Interclub Rally Results:

1. Elliot Payne / Patrick Walsh  Ford Fiesta Rally2 41:52

2. Liam Clark / Carl Williamson Ford Escort 42:49

3. Daniel Sigurðarson / Ásta Sigurðardóttir Ford Escort 42:52

4. Hamill / Niall Burns  Ford Escort 42:53

5. Niall Devine / Liam McIntyre  Ford Escort 43:15

6. Joe Cunningham / Joshua Beer  Ford Escort 43:18

7. Alexander Vassallo / Harry Walshaw  Ford Escort 43:42

8. John Bannister / Emma Clarke  Ford Escort 43:49

9. Ian Joel / Mark Twiname  Ford Escort 44:31

10. Trevor Gamble / Phil Kenny Ford Escort 44:46

National Rally Results:

1.          Dan Mennell / John H Roberts             Ford Escort         44:56

2.          David Crossen / Ben Teggart Ford Escort RS1800     45:16

3.          Adrian Hetherington / Ronan O'Neill   Ford Escort RS1800    45:28

4.          David Henderson / Chris Lees    Ford Escort     45:31

5.          Matthew Stroud / Josh Carr      Ford Escort Mk2          46:39

6.          Ian Evans / Justin Brooks             Ford Escort     47:02

7.          Adam Milner / Roy Jarvis         Ford Escort Mexico    47:06

8.          David Brown / Richard Wise      Ford Escort RS1800 47:06

9.          Paul Thompson / Josh Davison              Ford Escort         47:29

10.        Stefaan Stouf / Phil Clarke      Ford Escort RS1800     47:36