Cronin poised to pounce on British duo

Competitors in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and the British Rally Championship will traverse the same stages under their respective banners of the Ulster Rally and Rally Northern Ireland this afternoon.

In Rally Northern Ireland, Keith Cronin — in his Asquith Motorsport run Citroen DS3, can close the gap to his British Rally Championship rivals Tom Cave (Citroen DS3) and Elfyn Evans (Fiesta R2). Just two points in arrears, Cronin could even move ahead in a quest for a third British title: “I don’t have to go all out, I will see what the pace is like,” he said.

The Ballylickey driver should have too much pace and experience for Cave and Evans, although the latter will be full of confidence following his WRC Academy win in Rally Finland. Northern Ireland’s Mark Donnelly (Renault Clio R3) is the one most likely to be closest to Cronin.