If you listen closely, the legendary forests of Clocaenog and Brenig still resonate with echoes of Wales Rally GB history. Arguably then, the Cambrian Rally provides a fitting finale for the British Rally Championship.
Almost 12 months to the day that the title slipped from William Creighton’s grasp, the Northern Irishman finally righted the wrongs from 2024. This time in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, Creighton delivered a controlled drive to fourth place, enough to secure the championship after a campaign defined by consistency rather than raw aggression.
On the infamous North Wales gravel, he kept rivals Romet Jurgenson and Meirion Evans in check to ensure he joins the likes of Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Ari Vatanen on the BRC trophy.
“What an amazing year,” said Creighton. “From Junior BRC to Junior WRC and now this, it’s really special. Even missing a round, to win the championship feels incredible.”
Yet, while Creighton celebrated a season-long triumph, it was Max McRae who stole the day. Twenty-seven years after his father Alister’s last BRC win, and nearly four decades after grandfather Jimmy’s, Max produced a breath-taking drive in his Skoda Fabia Rally2.
Locked in a day-long duel with Jurgenson, McRae clawed back time on the final stage to snatch victory from the Estonian in stunning fashion. Those in attendance witnessed McRae making history with a first overall BRC victory, adding a new chapter to the family’s rallying legacy.
“Wow, that’s great,” McRae gasped at the finish. “I don’t know what to say. I just kept it clean, and here we are.”
The Junior BRC delivered its own share of final-round drama as Kyle McBride clinched the title after trailing rival Joe Kelly for much of the event. But, when Kelly was delayed by a slower car in Clocaenog, the advantage swung in McBride’s favour, securing him and co-driver Darragh Mullen the Junior BRC crown.
“It’s great to finally get it,” said McBride. “It hasn’t been an easy year by any means, but winning the Junior BRC has been our main goal all season, and we’ve achieved it.”
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