Chris Ingram takes the spoils in British Rally Championship opening round

William Creighton and Liam Regan in their Ford Fiesta Rally 2 during The Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally.

As expected, former European Rally champion Chris Ingram (VW Polo GTi R5) took the spoils in the Legend Fires North West Stages Rally, the opening round of the Probite British Rally Championship in Garstang, near Preston. Reigning Junior Word Rally champion William Creighton (Ford Fiesta Rally2) was best of the Irish contingent - he inherited second place following the retirement of Osian Pryce (Ford Fiesta Rally2) with mechanical issues on the seventh stage to finish runner-up 27s behind Ingram and 21.2s ahead of Welsh ace Meirion Evans, who debuted a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Four time BRC champion Keith Cronin had a troubled outing, second after SS2, he had several problems before eventually finishing seventh, some two minutes and 4s off top spot. Due to several incidents on the opening loop of five stages the organisers were forced to cancel SS4 and SS5.

Cold and changing weather conditions proved demanding as local ace Ingram set the pace, running first of the road he utilised his knowledge of the stages with telling effect - opening a 5.9s advantage over Cronin on the Beacon Fell stage. Pryce was a further 5.8s behind followed by Evans and Creighton.