Creighton claims Junior World Rally Championship title

William Creighton and co-driver Liam Regan needed retain their overnight position to secure the title as, mathematically, their points total could not be beaten.

JUNIOR WORLD RALLY CHAMPION: William Creighton/Liam Regan Liam (Ford Fiesta Rally3) clinched the Junior World Rally Championship on the EKO Acropolis Rally in Greece. Picture: Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool.

Irish driver William Creighton (Ford Fiesta Rally3) claimed the Junior World Rally Championship title on the EKO Acropolis Rally on what was a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the event. For the final day, the Moira man and co-driver Liam Regan needed retain their overnight position to secure the title as, mathematically, their points total could not be beaten. Creighton follows in the footsteps of the late Craig Breen, who won the title in 2011. With a lead of 29 points Creighton’s world crown was far from guaranteed due to double points being awarded for the final round.

On Friday’s stages, issues with the engine cooling system saw his Fiesta Rally 3 Evo lose power. Even though he managed to make the midday tyre-fitting zone, the problem was more complex than initially thought and he retired for the day - his championship bid looking gloomy as rivals Dominguez and Pellier tied for the overnight lead.

Creighton’s car was fitted with a cylinder head and head gasket and he set the best time on Saturday’s opening stage. Indeed, it transpired to be a good day for the Moira man, Pellier’s car suffered transmission failure and then Dominguez had an intermittent power steering problem. Gaining extra points for winning stages Creighton then lost over two minutes to Dominguez due to a puncture on SS10. However he still ended the day in the championship lead and provided he maintained his position through the final leg of three stages, was guaranteed the Junior WRC crown. Safely navigating SS13 and SS14, Sunday’s final stage was cancelled after an accident involving a Rally2 car and the Irish pair were crowned champions.

Meanwhile, WR champion Kalle Rovanpera (Toyota Yaris Rally1) returned to winning ways with a one minute and 1.7s victory over his team mate and nearest challenger Elfyn Evans. Rovanpera, who also took an additional five points for winning the Power Stage, moved into the lead on SS12 after team mate Sebastien Ogier damaged a wheel and slipped down the order. Hyundai’s Dani Sordo was third.

On the home front, the Cork crew of Daniel Cronin/Donnchadh Burke (VW Polo GTi R5) won the Wexford Volkswagen Rally - finishing one minute and 20.6s ahead of the Ford Fiesta R5 of Cavan’s Gary Kiernan and co-driver John McGrath.

In the searing heat of Saturday’s nine stages local driver Thomas Stafford (Darrian T90 GTR) had to wait until the fourth stage to edge in front as Cronin’s VW Polo GTi R5 coped better with the dusty conditions. But Cronin stayed in touch and was only 1.7s behind the Wexford ace after SS6. Longford’s Tommy Doyle was best of the rest 33.1s further behind in third. Waterford’s Andrew Purcell (VW Polo GTi R5) retired on SS6.

Undeterred by a misfire that disappeared after disconnected the flat shift, Stafford ended the day 12.8s ahead of Cronin, who was fortunate to survive a moment on a right-hander on SS9.

Doyle was set to complete the day in third but a full revolution spin cost him 30s and he dropped to fourth with Cavan’s Gary Kiernan (Fiesta R5) the beneficiary of third. Cork’s Jason McSweeney’s rally ended when he slid his Skoda Fabia R5 off on SS9.

Yesterday (Sunday) Doyle slid off and hit a pole that damaged a wheel hub. Rain arrived for the penultimate loop and the retirements continued when leader Stafford bowed out with clutch woes. At the final service Cronin, who damaged the exhaust on SS14, led Kiernan, who spun on SS14, by a minute and 18.9s. Cronin eased off to secure victory from Kiernan and Barry, who was some two minutes further adrift in third.

EKO Acropolis Rally (Round 10 World Rally Championship) Lamia, Greece: 1. K. Rovanpera/J. Halttunen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) 3h. 0m. 16.7s; 2. E. Evans/S. Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+1m. 31.7ss; 3. D. Sordo/C. Carrera (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)+1m. 35.9s; 4. O. Tanak/M. Jarveoja (Ford Puma Rally1)+4m. 28.4s; 5. E. Lappi/J. Ferm (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)+6m. 22.3s; 6. T. Katsuta/A. Johnston (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+7m. 20.9s.

Drivers' championship standings (after round 10 of 13): 1. K Rovanpera 200pts; 2. E. Evans 167pts; 3. T. Neuville 134pts.

Wexford Volkswagen Rally, Wexford: 1. D. Cronin/D. Burke (VW Polo GTi R5) 2h. 11m. 57.6s; 2. G. Kiernan/J. McGrath (Ford Fiesta R5)+1m. 20.6s; 3. D. Barry/A. Hayes (Skoda Fabia R5)+3m. 21.7s; 4. E. O'Brien/J. Butler (VW Polo GTi R5)+4m. 48.4s; 5. M. Alcorn/D. O'Brien (Ford Escort)+6m. 17.9s; 6. R. Moore/E. Kennedy (Ford Escort)+7m. 21.3s; 7. K. Power/T. Hayes (Ford Fiesta R5)+7m. 58.3s; 8. J. Bonner/J. Baird (Ford Escort)+8m. 12.2s; 9. S. Murray/G. Hade (Ford Fiesta)+8m. 55.5s; 10. B. Lavelle/P. O'Callaghan (Ford Escort)+10m. 19.9s.