Creighton off to a flier with first ‘proper’ BRC win on East Riding Stages

William Creighton cites his East Driving Levels victory final weekend as his first British Rally Championship win, regardless of taking a most rating at Rali Ceredigion final yr; nonetheless, this was completely different.

This time Creighton and co-driver Liam Regan didn’t depend on a team-mate checking in late to safe victory – this win was earned on pure tempo. Decided to say the spoils on his personal phrases, the 2024 BRC runner-up delivered completely.

Swapping to a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 proved fruitful and, despite a star-studded BRC entry, Creighton was unstoppable, successful seven of the ten phases to seal the win by 24 seconds from Keith Cronin. James Williams rounded out the rostrum with a strong run to 3rd.

Creighton wasn’t the one one with a brand new steed. 4-time champion Cronin debuted a Citroen C3 Rally2 for his 2025 marketing campaign however endured a sluggish begin over the morning loop. With simply 54 miles of closed-road phases by the Yorkshire lanes, the occasion was a dash, leaving the Irishman with loads of work to do to chase down Creighton.

Rain descended on the afternoon’s repeat run and, attempt as he would possibly, Cronin couldn’t catch Creighton, and the 2023 Junior WRC champion was relieved to take that elusive ‘correct’ BRC win.

“I don’t know what to say actually,” stated Creighton. “It’s our first rally within the automobile, and we hadn’t accomplished a lot [in the Yaris] earlier than the occasion and, with such tough circumstances, it’s simply felt good.

“I actually didn’t know what to anticipate and the way lengthy it was going to take us to realize that confidence with the automobile. I’m simply actually completely happy and excited for what’s to return.”

Cronin was relieved to get some strong factors on the board after a dismal begin to final yr’s assault, and Williams loved a trouble-free run in his Hyundai i20N Rally2, 9 seconds adrift.

Creighton’s team-mate Meirion Evans took fourth in his Yaris, with Callum Black rounding out the highest 5 in his Ford Fiesta.

Estonian star Romet Jurgenson made his Rally2 asphalt debut and acclimatised impressively. Final yr’s Junior WRC conqueror secured sixth in an M-Sport Fiesta.

The difficult circumstances proved unforgiving for a number of key contenders. James Ford despatched his Citroen C3 off the highway on the opening stage, whereas Max McRae suffered a hand harm in a high-speed off. Garry Pearson held second general earlier than his rally ended abruptly together with his Fiesta stranded in a ditch.

The Junior BRC battle, in the meantime, had a distinctly French flavour as every contender elected to make use of a Peugeot 208 Rally4 for his or her assault on the opening spherical.

Craig Rahill took the early initiative with stellar tempo within the dryer morning loop, however his cost unravelled within the rain-soaked afternoon, with two spins permitting his fellow Irishmen a glance in.

Kyle McBride obtained the bit between his tooth within the soggy circumstances, overhauling each Keelan Grogan and Rahill over the closing phases to take the victory.