Rally Preparation Services Ltd

What Rally Preparation Services Ltd does

Rally Preparation Services Ltd (RPS) is a privately held specialist workshop based in Witney, Oxfordshire, focused on preparing classic, vintage, and modern cars for international endurance rallies such as Peking to Paris, the Flying Scotsman, the Monte Carlo Historique, and HERO-ERA events. Founded around 2006 and led by Managing Director Simon Ayris, the firm employs roughly eight people and operates from a single workshop facility at Cotswold Business Park, with a sister company, RPS Storage, providing secure vehicle storage near the Cotswolds. RPS's service mix spans rally preparation and rebuilds, full classic and vintage restoration, driver and navigator training, on-event technical support and sweep-crew duties, live rally tracking, an online parts and accessories store (including Zestino rally tyres), and an international brokerage arm that buys and sells prepared rally cars at price points from £18,000 to £112,500. The firm's go-to-market is event-driven: it secures customers by participating in and winning the marquee rallies, exhibiting at motorsport shows such as Race Retro, generating press coverage in historic-car publications, and leveraging relationships with the Endurance Rally Association, HERO-ERA, Rally Round, and Bespoke Rallies. Revenue is generated through professional services fees for preparation and restoration, one-time transactions on car sales and brokerage, hardware sales through the RPS store, managed storage fees, and finance facilitation on car purchases. RPS has built reputational capital through multiple Peking to Paris victories (2013, 2025) and high finish rates, with 22 of 24 cars crossing the line in 2016 and all eight of its entries finishing in 2025.

Name

Rally Preparation Services Ltd

Legal name

Rally Preparation Services Limited

Website

https://rpsrally.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rally Preparation Services Ltd is a Witney, Oxfordshire-based specialist workshop that prepares and restores classic and vintage cars for international endurance rallies, serving high-net-worth historic motorsport competitors through preparation, restoration, brokerage, storage, and event support services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rally Car Preparation and Classic Car Restoration Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Motorsports Support & Feeder Series (Developmental Championships) (MPAKAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Race Promoters & Event Organizers (Race Weekend Operations) (MPAKAGAC), Motorsports & Racing Experiences (THAJAFAF)

Keywords

• Rally car preparation
• Classic car restoration
• Endurance rally support
• Vintage rally cars
• Car storage services

Headquarters

HQ city

Witney, Oxfordshire

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Rally Preparation Services: Workshop services for preparing classic and vintage cars for rallies and endurance events, including mechanical rebuilding, safety modifications, and performance upgrades.
2. Car Sales: Sale of prepared rally and classic cars, including vintage and endurance rally vehicles. Cars listed range from £18,000 to £112,500.
3. Parts and Accessories: Sale of rally equipment and parts including tyres (Zestino), trip meters, safety equipment, and maintenance products through the RPS store.
4. Car Storage: Secure vehicle storage services offered through sister company RPS Storage near the Cotswolds.
5. Driver and Navigator Training: Training services for rally driving and navigation skills for all rally types.
6. Event Support: On-event technical and mechanical support services during rallies.
7. Classic Car Restoration: Full restoration services for classic and vintage vehicles beyond rally preparation.
8. Finance Services: Finance options for car purchases and rally preparation services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rally Preparation Services Ltd is a specialist Witney-based workshop that prepares classic, vintage, and modern cars for international endurance rallies such as Peking to Paris, Monte Carlo Historique, and Flying Scotsman. The company also provides full classic car restoration, custom RPS Fangio Coupe builds, brokerage and sales of prepared rally cars, secure vehicle storage through its sister company RPS Storage, driver and navigator training, on-event technical support, and live rally tracking services.

Product overview

Rally Preparation Services Ltd is a specialist rally car preparation and classic car restoration company based in Witney, Oxfordshire. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services centred around rally preparation, including vehicle preparation for endurance rallies, full restoration of classic and vintage cars, international car sales and brokerage, secure vehicle storage, live rally tracking, driver and navigator training, and event support. Key products include custom-built RPS Fangio Coupe rally cars (1939 Chevrolet-based), a curated portfolio of classic rally cars for sale, and Zestino Gravel 09R rally tyres. The company operates a retail store offering rally equipment from brands such as Brantz, TRS, and Millers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rally Preparation

Quantifiable outcome

• 22 of 24 cars prepared by RPS finished the 2016 Peking to Paris rally
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SeeSawminorOthers · 1 January 2017RPS adopted SeeSaw as its chosen charity in 2017. The company has undertaken fundraising activities including firewalks and participation in the Tin Cup Trial to raise money for SeeSaw, which provides support to children and youngsters from the Oxfordshire area who have suffered a bereavement.
• RPS StoragecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRPS Storage is a sister company to Rally Preparation Services, offering secure vehicle storage near the Cotswolds. This partnership enables RPS to provide comprehensive vehicle care including preparation, storage, and ongoing maintenance services.
• Endurance Rally Association (ERA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRPS works closely with the Endurance Rally Association, preparing vehicles for ERA events including Peking to Paris, Flying Scotsman, and other endurance rallies. The company has achieved multiple victories in ERA events.
• HERO-ERAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRPS prepares vehicles for HERO-ERA events including the London to Lisbon Rally and other historic endurance events. Multiple RPS-prepared cars have achieved class wins in HERO events.
• Rally RoundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRPS supports Rally Round events including the Samurai Challenge Rally in Japan, Trans Himalayan Adventure, and African Adventure. RPS provides sweep crew and technical support during these events.
• Bespoke RalliescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRPS sponsors classes and prepares vehicles for Bespoke Rallies events including the Buenos Aires to Caracas rally and Pan Am Rally. RPS has helped novice crews win Bespoke Rallies events.
• MG Car ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRPS partnered with MG Car Club for Project MGA, a 1959 MGA roadster restoration project with Mike Brewer (Wheeler Dealers). The project was covered in the MGCC's Safety Fast! magazine.
• Moss EuropeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMoss Europe partnered with RPS for Project MGA, providing parts for the 1959 MGA roadster restoration. Moss Europe is a specialist MG parts supplier.
• Mike Brewer / Wheeler DealersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRPS partnered with TV's Wheeler Dealer Mike Brewer for the Project MGA restoration. The collaboration generated media coverage and visibility for RPS capabilities.
• ZestinominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRPS stocks and sells Zestino Gravel 09R tyres, a rally tyre brand. RPS offers these tyres in multiple sizes for rally competitors.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alfaholics: Bespoke vintage Alfa Romeo restoration and rally preparation specialist based in the UK. Comparable to RPS because it serves historic rally entrants with restored and rally-prepped vehicles, leveraging deep marque expertise for a narrow but loyal customer segment.
• GTO Engineering: Specialises in classic Ferrari restoration, parts manufacture, and bespoke servicing with rally preparation as a recurring workstream. Comparable because it pairs restoration with rally/event preparation and operates a parts retail channel akin to RPS's tyre/equipment store.
• Classic Motor Cars: Suffolk-based classic and competition car restoration specialist with rally preparation capabilities. Direct peer because it competes for the same classic/vintage rally customer base and offers overlapping mechanical preparation and restoration services.
• Thornley Kelham: Gloucestershire-based high-end classic car restoration house. Comparable to RPS because it serves the same affluent classic-car owner segment, with overlap in restoration, mechanical rebuild, and event preparation work.
• Eagle E-Types: Bespoke classic Jaguar E-Type restorer and manufacturer of continuation/modified E-Types. Direct peer because it combines restoration, bespoke vehicle production, and high-net-worth classic car clientele — a similar premium-positioning model to RPS.

Broad incumbents

• Aston Martin Works: OEM-affiliated heritage restoration and servicing operation for classic Aston Martins. Comparable because it combines restoration, sales, and event preparation for premium classic cars, though from a manufacturer-affiliated position rather than an independent specialist.
• Goodwood: Iconic British motorsport venue and event brand (Festival of Speed, Revival, Member's Meeting). Broad incumbent because it operates across the classic motorsport space and engages historic racing customers that overlap with RPS's client base.
• Motor Sport Vision (MSV): UK's largest circuit operator and motorsport venue group. Broader incumbent because it operates racetracks and event infrastructure across the motorsport ecosystem, overlapping with RPS's motorsport services from a venue/event side rather than vehicle preparation.

Others

• Endurance Rally Association (ERA): Organiser of flagship events like Peking to Paris, Flying Scotsman, and Blue Train. Ecosystem partner rather than competitor — RPS is a core preparation provider for ERA, but ERA itself controls event IP, customer relationships, and calendar availability.

Regional players

• HERO-ERA: UK-based historic endurance rally organiser (London to Lisbon, Rally of the Tests). Adjacent rather than directly competing because HERO-ERA organises events that RPS supports, sharing the same customer base and partnership ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/RPSRally
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC-m1sjtNGfEzPjkOi5i02MQ
• Facebooken-gb.facebook.com/Rally-Preparation-Services-Ltd-179002148782300
• Instagraminstagram.com/rpsrally
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rally-preparation-services-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rally Preparation Services Ltd