Welsh rally drivers Osian Pryce and Meirion Evans, along with Scotland's Max McRae, all go head-to-head for the British Rally Championship (BRC) title as the series reaches its finale at the Cambrian Rally on Saturday, 24 October.
McRae leads the championship by seven points, with Evans second and Pryce third as the 2026 season comes down to one day in the north Wales forests.
The 21-year-old Scot is bidding for his first title a year after recording his maiden British Rally victory at the Cambrian event.
Pryce is chasing a second British crown, while Evans is also bidding for his first championship, with the Welsh rivalry adding extra intrigue to an already finely poised title contest.
Should either Welshman prevail they would be following in the footsteps of Elfyn Evans who won the British Rally Championship in 2016 - and finally ended years of near-misses to become Wales' first World Rally Champion earlier in October.
British Rally Championship standings
1st: Max McRae, Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 - 103*
2nd: Meirion Evans, Toyota Yaris Rally2 - 96*
3rd: Osian Pryce, Toyota Yaris Rally2 - 83
*Joker points have been used
The title equation
Despite a 20-point gap between first and third, the title race is closer than the standings suggest.
Only five of six results count towards the final standings, with the drivers dropping their lowest scoring round.
In addition than can apply a joker to add to a chosen result. McCrae and Evans current totals already include their five point bonus, while Pryce is yet to play his joker.
Finally, as the last round of the series, points in the Cambrian Rally will be multiplied by 1.5.
Pryce also heads to Llandudno able to count every point he scores after already discarding his lowest result.
Evans and McRae must discard 15 and 12 points respectively.
The Scot knows victory will guarantee him the title, but he needs at least to outscore Pryce and not leave it to the joker arithmetic.
"We've put ourselves in the best position we could ask for going into the last round," said the nephew of former world champion Colin McRae, and son of Alister who won the BRC title in 1995.
"Everything we've done this season comes down to Saturday, and I'd much rather be going into it leading than chasing."
Pryce seeks a second
Since winning the British title in 2022, Pryce has competed across different classes and championships, becoming Tour European Rally champion in 2023 and adding the Category 3 European Historic title this year.
The Machynlleth driver is now hoping to add another trophy this weekend.
"It'll be nice to do a double-header and secure two championships in two weeks," said Pryce.
"When there's been strong competition, it'll be very rewarding should we get it over the line."
The 33-year-old insists he does not feel any pressure.
"I think the pressure is on everybody else, they haven't got a title like I have," he added.
"I think the monkey is off our back, from four years ago when we won the title.
"We still need a lot of luck on the day."
Evans eyes maiden British title
Evans, 31, from Llanwrda, made his rallying debut in 2009, and after a long journey behind the wheel, his moment may finally come on the gravel stages of Llandudno.
Evans believes his competitive streak could help deliver a maiden British title.
"It was always an annoying trait I had, even growing up. In school I had to win everything," he said.
He also believes racing against the championship's best has prepared him for the three-way showdown.
"There's a matter of pressure when you go into a winner-takes-all scenario," he added.
"Working with the fastest has put me in a position where I can win."
Team-mates turned rivals
The title may divide them this weekend, but Pryce and Evans credit each other with driving their championship challenge.
"You don't want to get left behind, you don't want to be in a different postcode. I believe he's beaten me as many times as I've beaten him," Evans admitted.
Pryce says Evans' greater experience in the car has also helped him learn and adapt throughout the season.
"[Meirion] has a lot of experience in the car. A useful thing is that my co-driver James [Morgan] has a lot of experience with it, so I've been able to maximise my opportunity off the back of them.
"If a team-mate is pushing, it makes you pick up your socks and up your game as well."
A landmark year for Welsh rally
Both drivers were in Sardinia to watch Elfyn Evans lift his first world title, a moment Pryce described as a "rollercoaster of emotions" and one which he believes has put Welsh rallying in the spotlight.
"Growing up a stone's throw from where Elfyn lives, it was nice seeing so many local people out there. It would be nice for the British championship to go to a Welshman as well," Pryce said.
Evans echoed those sentiments, describing the achievement of his world champion namesake and co-driver Scott Martin as proof that hard work pays off.
"I'm a bit of a Celtic guy. It definitely was a special moment, not only for rallying in our country but rallying as a whole," said the BRC title contender.
"If you can't get inspired by that, then nothing will inspire you at all."