Stellar line-up set for Probite British Rally Championship opener
Posted: February 17, 2025 4:19 AM
The Probite British Rally Championship (BRC) will lift the curtain on 2025 next weekend with the highly anticipated East Riding Stages [23 February], marking the beginning of another thrilling season. With a refreshed calendar, a sensational driver lineup, and a major list of Rally2 machinery in the series, the stage is set for another electrifying title fight.
New to the billing, the opening round has attracted an impressive list of crews, battling for glory at the first of six action-packed events. The fast and furious closed roads around the Beverley base in Yorkshire is an exciting addition, with a fan-centric format offering the public an unrivalled rally experience.
However, there is stiff competition from a mix of experienced challengers and ambitious young talents eager to make their mark on the championship. Among the key opponents are former champions and rising stars, all determined to stake their claim for the coveted title.
A dedicated one-hour highlights show on ITV4 and availability on the accompanying online catch-up service ITVX continues, offering unrivalled visibility across the UK and Republic of Ireland for drivers, events, and partners.
The Categories: BRC1 – 4
No less than two world-champions adorn the entry list for round one, with 2023 Junior WRC champ and last year’s BRC runner up William Creighton and Liam Regan making the switch to the Castrol MEM Rally Team in a Michelin-shod Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.
In the M-Sport Ford Rally Team camp, it’s Estonian rising star and 2024 Junior WRC winner Romet Jürgenson who makes a welcome appearance in the series with Siim Oja alongside, piloting a Pirelli-supported Ford Fiesta Rally2.
The Welsh pairing of Meirion Evans and Dale Furniss join Creighton in the MEM Rally Team, whilst Garry Pearson and Hannah McKillop bolster the M-Sport squad.
Four-time BRC champion Keith Cronin returns for a bid at an elusive fifth title, and swaps to a Citroen C3 Rally2 with Mikie Galvin on the notes. James Ford makes his first BRC appearance in over a decade with Neil Shanks on the notes, also opting for a Citroen C3 Rally2 example. FIA European Junior Rally Championship aces Max McRae and Cameron Fair also return to the series after a part BRC-programme in 2024. They are another crew who will swap to the French manufacturer and will be one of the leading crews to represent MRF Tyres in BRC1.
James Williams has his sights on the title with Ross Whittock alongside and a return to their regular Hyundai i20 N Rally2, and hard-chargers Callum Black and Jack Morton return for another shot in their Fiesta Rally2.
Further leading contenders include Matthew Hirst [Skoda Fabia Rally2], Neil Roskell [Fiesta Rally2], Elliot Payne [Fiesta Rally2] and Jason Pritchard [Toyota GR Yaris Rally2].
BRC3 marks the arrival of Junior BRC champion Robert Proudlock into four-wheel-drive machinery as he steps up to a Ford Fiesta Rally3 for the season with new co-driver Dan James.
After sampling the BRC on the final round last season, Michael Jenkins returns for a full BRC4 title tilt in his Fiesta R2. The all-female crew of Meghan O’Kane and Nikki Addison make their debut in the series in a similar Fiesta, with Charlie Wright and Adam Westerby another Fiesta crew making their BRC maiden appearance. Colin Minton and Rob Jones complete the line-up.
Approved tyre manufacturers Michelin and Pirelli are joined by MRF Tyres for the 2025 season, adding further excitement to an already talent-packed field. The three manufacturers will compete to provide the best rubber for the BRC’s demanding mix of asphalt and gravel stages. Michelin, fresh from its 2024 title-winning campaign with Ingram, is expected to be a major force once again, while Pirelli and MRF have both bolstered their support for top drivers.
Junior British Rally Championship
The coveted Junior BRC title will see young drivers under 27 years of age battle for the crown and the chance to secure free entries to the 2026 British Rally Championship events: a package worth over £6,000.
It’s a sensational list of emerging talent and experienced youngsters heading for round one with a distinctly French flavour – the Peugeot 208 Rally4 dominating the list.
Aiming to repeat his round one win in 2024, Kalum Graffin returns with Mark McGeehan alongside. Also securing Junior BRC wins last season, Kyle McBride and Darragh Mullen return for another shot at the title, as does Keelan Grogan and Ayrton Sherlock.
Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Award winner and newcomer Craig Rahill gets a new Peugeot for his campaign with Conor Smith, and Sam Mason steps up from the national gravel scene with James Seymour.
Open Rally Title
For Rally2 and R5 cars running outside of their homologation, the Open Rally Title sees a strong field assemble in Yorkshire. Former round winner Hugh Brunton brings his Skoda Fabia Rally2 back for more, whilst Jerseyman Sam Touzel [Fiesta Rally2] makes his maiden BRC outing. Darren Martin also [Fiesta R5] throws his hat into the ring.
National Rally Title
The National Rally Title is a home for all other machinery and is spearheaded by reigning champions William Mains who makes a welcome comeback in his Vauxhall Nova. He has Emma Clarke on the notes for the opener. Other notable entries include Rob Cotton [Subaru Impreza], Rali Ceredigion category winner Nathan Evans [Renault Clio R3] and Chris Hand [Toyota Starlet].
Ten special stages make up the East Riding Stages Rally format, totalling over 54 miles during Sunday, with the Beverley town centre becoming the rally hub for the day, hosting the ceremonial start, mid-day regroup and rally finish celebrations.
Five champions and multiple title challengers commence Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship battle on the East Riding Stages
Posted: February 17, 2025 4:16 AM
Five former champions, who between them have won 13 driver titles, launch into the 2025 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship battle against an unprecedentedly strong contingent of first-time title aspirants on the East Riding Stages (23 February) – in what promises to be the most open and competitive fight for the BTRDA sealed-surface crown ever.
Callum Black (champion in 2023 and ’24) has entered the opening round of the 2025 series in his Pallas Connections Ford Fiesta Rally2. Together with defending co-drivers’ champion Jack Morton alongside, the 586 Sport driver finished third on the East Riding Stages last year and will be one of the favourites to take home maximum points – although he faces extraordinarily tough competition.
Three-time champion Jason Pritchard (2018, ’19 and ’21) will make his Protyre Asphalt debut in his new North Road Garage Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. He hasn’t rallied a four-wheel drive car since the 2022 Rali Ceredigion (which he contested in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) and only started one rally last year (his local North Road Garage Toyota Showground Stages in an Escort RS1800 Mk2), so he and co-driver Phil Clarke are aiming for a trouble-free run to get some valuable Yaris miles under their belts.
Six-time champion Damian Cole (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14 and ’16) returns in his Get Connected Citroën C3 Rally2. His experience and speed make a powerful combination, as he tackles the opening round co-driven by Rhodri Evans.
The 2022 Protyre Asphalt champion Steve Wood returns in his Sligo Pallets Citroën C3 Rally2. The Aberystwyth driver ended the 2023 East Riding Stages in a ditch, so he and co-driver Kenny Hull will be hoping for a much better start to the series this time.
Few have more experience than the 2007 champion Stephen Simpson, who is back for another crack at the title in his Tudor Glass Fiesta Rally2. He’ll be co-driven by Mark Glennerster.
Last year’s East Riding Stages winners Mark Kelly/Will Atkins will make their event debut in a newly-acquired ex-Meirion Evans Kelmore Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. The Manchester-based driver has rallied a Ford Fiesta R5 and a Škoda Fabia R5 in the series before – winning the Tour of Epynt and Hills Ford rallies, scoring multiple podiums, leading many other events and finishing runner-up in the drivers’ standings in 2021.
Sam Touzel has developed into a rally winner and potential champion in record time and together with co-driver Max Freeman hopes to get his Protyre Asphalt challenge off to a strong start in his Smart Scaffolding/Express Auto Parts Fiesta Rally2.
Brad Cole made his event debut in his Hydroline Solutions Ford Fiesta Rally2 on last year’s Hills Ford Stages, which was his first rally back after breaking his arm when he crashed a 2.5-litre Escort Mk2 on the Manx. The spectacular Somerset driver promises a slightly more cautious approach as he beds himself into his new car – which will come as good news to Trick Motorsport who prepare the car and East Budleigh Garage who run it on events – although expect him and co-driver Jamie Vaughan to be not hanging about too much.
Hugh Brunton has been on a pre-season 15kg weight loss mission and is match fit and raring to go in his Škoda Fabia Rally2. Co-driven by Drew Sturrock, the Arbroath man has been knocking on the door of major rally success for a couple of seasons and has never been better prepared for the start of the championship.
Three-time Protyre Asphalt runner-up Neil Roskell contests the opening round in his ND Civils/Burdens/Witham Motorsport Fiesta Rally2, which has had a recent engine upgrade and a complete refurb. The hugely experienced Rob Fagg will co-drive.
John Stone/Laura Marshall appear in their Legend Fires Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, Roger Duckworth/Alun Cook contest the event in their Technia Fiesta R5 and David White/Paula Hannan come out in their Whites Bakery/Mirage/Sandwich King Fiesta R5.
It’s great to see Roger and Tommi Henderson return in their DKMS We Delete Blood Cancer Fiesta Rally2 after a very nasty accident on last year’s Tour of Epynt. Richard Weatherley/Shaun Layland start their second season together in their EDSL Sport-prepared TCS Micropumps Citroën C3 Rally2, Ryan Burns/Harry Walshaw start in their Bat-Sport/Burnley Motors Fiesta Rally2, Barry Renwick/Paul Hughes appear in a Fiesta R5 and Chris Ford/Neil Colman return in their Citroën C3 Rally2.
In the revamped class structure, Christian Davies/Chris Davies will be battling for class B honours in their 2-litre Fiesta Proto against the likes of Tommy Graham/Mark Pickering (R/S Motors Escort), Jonathan Elliot Jones/Ben Duke (Jones Carpentry & Tiling Fiesta Rally2), Paul Murphy/Richard Robinson (RAC Consultants Mitsubishi Evo 9) and the returning Kyle Casement/Liam McCann (BVS Vehicles/FRM Rally Management Citroën C2).
Former class B13 rally winner and title challengers Huw James/Lewis Sim return in their A&D Tyres Escort Mk2. They’ll be battling for class C title honours this time against the likes of Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt (Jaspers Bakeries Escort Mk2), Gareth Humphreys/Aaron Mallin (Stratos Motorsport Mini Cooper S), Simon Chapman/Peter Foy (Escort Mk2), Tim Phelps (Britpart Escort Mk2) and Jake Smith/Dave Tortoishell (Escort Mk2).
Isle of Man regulars Max Murray/Matty Owen will be aiming for class D success in their BVS Vehicles Citroën DS3 R3T – and will have a tough fight on their hands against the likes of John Cartwright/Richard Armstrong (2.5-litre Cartwrights Escort Mk2) and Charlie Wright/Adam Westerby (Harper Adams University-prepared Fiesta R2).
There is a fantastic battle in store for class E, with the likes of Nathan Evans/Rhys Williams Edwards (Tuned Motorsport UK/The Kitchen Installers Renault Clio 3 RS), George Heighway/Tim Currie (Heighway Ltd/ASM Developments Toyota Corolla), Ant Allery/Richard Bonner (C Salter Demolitions Escort Mk2), Paul Robins/Jordan Wilkinson (Escort Mk2), Adrian Spencer/Mark Hewitt (RED Industries/Adgespeed Subaru Impreza S11 WRC replica) and Mark Rossiter/Robbie Sandford (West Wales Tuning/Scott Williams Motorsport Escort Mk2) going hammer and tongs.
Luke Constantine will attempt to emulate his father Mark by winning a class title in his Constantine Motorsport Opel Adam R2. Co-driven by Ifan Devine, the East Riding Stages will be the 21-year old North Yorkshire driver’s first closed road stage event. He’ll be fighting against the likes of Jonathan Davies/Owen Rowcliffe (Cribyn Garage/Nant y Caws Commercials Peugeot 207) and Alex Kirk-Willey/Sasha Heriot (AKW Installations/Weaver Motorsport Vauxhall Corsa S1600).
Jack Edwards/Russell Thompson (Mold Tyres/Porthmadog Holiday Let Vauxhall Nova) will be battling with William Mains/Emma Clarke (WCS/Speedy Sofas Vauxhall Nova) for maximum class G points, while the Historic classes feature Andrew O’Hanlon/Kevin Hogan (Mini Cooper S), Mike Simpson/Dale Gibbons (H Stowable/Physio Joint Escort RS1800 Mk2) and Gareth Bevan (Freemans Bodyshop Escort).
Action from the East Riding Stages will be streamed live and free-to-view on the Special Stage TV Facebook and YouTube channels.
Organised by Beverley & District Motor Club, this year’s East Riding Stages Rally begins with a ceremonial start in Beverley Market Place, followed by 10 stages / 55 stage miles on closed public roads through the Yorkshire countryside. There will be a super special stage on Beverley Westwood, a FanZone and the finish back at Beverley Market Place.
CRONIN/GALVIN TO DEBUT CITROEN IN BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP OPENER
Posted: February 17, 2025 4:13 AM
A little later than expected, Keith Cronin's 2025 season will get under way on Sunday, when he and co-driver, Mikie Galvin, take the start of the East Riding Stages Rally in Yorkshire, the opening round of the British Championship. The event will see the Killarney and District Motor Club crew debut a new Citroën C3 Rally 2, having moved on from the Ford Fiesta which brought them victories on the Galway, West Cork, Jim Clark and Ulster rallies in 2024, and ultimately the Irish Tarmac Championship title.
Cronin's campaign had been due to commence with the Galway International Rally at the start of this month, before the Tarmac Championship opener fell victim to the effects of Storm Éowyn. "It would have been good to have had our first run out in the new car in Ireland, two days in Galway would have taught us a lot about it before we go to the East Riding Stages, even though the road surfaces will be quite different in Yorkshire. Hopefully Galway will get to run later in the year," said Cronin. "It means that our learning curve may be a bit steeper on Sunday, but that said, all the Rally 2 cars are built to fairly tight regulations, there aren't huge differences between them. We'll have done a couple of tests, plus Tom Gahan Motorsport will have experience of the set-up options for running the C3 on Michelin Tyres. I'm not setting any targets, but it would be important to get a good result this weekend if we're to have a chance of landing the British title at the end of the year. We had a dreadful start to the BRC in 2024, the first two events didn't go well at all, and we never recovered from it, so I'd be hoping that we'd get off on a better footing this time. We'll take it round by round and see how it all works out." The Jim Clark victory was the highlight of Cronin's British exploits over the course of last year, but a roll on Rali Ceredigion in September scuppered any chance of him landing a record-equalling fifth BRC title.
Cronin is not the only one of the leading BRC contenders in new machinery for 2025. With outgoing champion, Chris Ingram, moving on to a programme of international events, his place in the MEM Toyota team is taken by last year's runner-up, Will Creighton. Meirion Evans remains in the second MEM Yaris, while Junior World Champion, Romet Jurgenson of Estonia, takes the seat vacated by Crieghton at M-Sport Ford. "It'll be hard to beat Will in the Toyota, he was on the top pace all last year, and of course it's the car that won the championship with Chris," said Cronin. "We're all interested to see how Jürgenson gets on, he's the Junior World Champion, and he was selected as the FIA Rally Star Europe winner a couple of years before that. There will be others in the running too. Every British title is hard earned for whoever wins it out, and this year will be no different."
The East Riding Rally will consist of ten stages in all, with one Service during the day. The Ceremonial Start will take place in Beverley town centre at 9am. A loop of four stages follows, before the crews return to a FanZone in Beverley shortly before 11:30am, following which they enter Service at Bishop Burton College. Two runs through a short spectator stage at Westwood open the afternoon action, before the four stages from the morning are repeated. The top crews are due back in Beverley at around 3:20pm for the Finish Ramp celebrations.
Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin are supported by M Group of Companies, Shane Casey Electrical Services, Michelin Tyres, Cronin’s Centra (Ballylickey, Union Hall, Leap, Millstreet and Dundrum), Cronin’s HomeValue Hardware, Daybreak Westlink, Cremin Coaches, Keohane Seafoods, Citroën Racing UK and Ireland, and Race and Rally Motorsport. Their Citroën C3 Rally 2 is prepared and run by Tom Gahan Motorsport.
Creighton/Regan ready for BRC opener with the Castrol MEM Rally Team
Posted: February 17, 2025 4:09 AM
Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver William Creighton is set to kick off his 2025 Probite British Rally Championship campaign with the Castrol MEM Rally Team this weekend, as he prepares to tackle the highly anticipated first round of the season, the East Riding Stages Rally [23 February].
Making his debut in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 with regular co-driver Liam Regan alongside, the 2023 Junior World Rally Champions and 2024 British Rally Championship runners-up are eager to get a positive start to the season under their belt as they embark on an exciting new chapter with the squad.
The opening round promises to be a fast and intense challenge, with the short, sprint-like format leaving little room for error. Creighton is aware of the challenges which lie ahead in adapting to new machinery on such a short rally. That means staying trouble-free on the closed road stages around Beverley in Yorkshire will be key to start his new look season the right way.
“I can’t wait to get started with Castrol MEM Rally Team, and get behind the wheel of the Yaris,” said Creighton.
“The first event of the season is always crucial, and with this rally being such a short and intense event, there’s no margin for error. It’s a new rally to me, but it’s very likely to be a tricky one and typically very slippery. There is some impressive competition in the BRC this season and from last years’ experience, I know that it can be a long fight, so good but consistent results are crucial. That will certainly be the aim for the weekend ahead”.
After switching from M-Sport to the title-winning outfit, Creighton believes the team, along with the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, provides a strong platform for his continued development. The Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing, is a formidable package, offering a perfect blend of performance and reliability. As he prepares for his debut event in the Castrol-liveried Toyota, all eyes will be on the Irish driver to see how he handles the opening test of the season.
“I must say thank you to M-Sport for a great season last year and allowing us to fight for the BRC title. But it’s been a while since I have been in a rally car, so I’ll need to adapt quickly to the Toyota and surroundings. I’m super excited to see the Yaris in its Castrol colours in the flesh and a huge thank you to the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and all our partners for working with me in the off season to get this programme in place.”
Just 54 competitive stage miles make up the East Riding Stages Rally on Sunday, spread across 10 stages near the Beverley town rally base.
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