Motors: Mixed fortunes for Creighton and McErlean at TET Rally Latvia

MIXED FORTUNES: William Creighton/Liam Regan (Ford Fiesta Rally2) finished fifth in the WRC2 category of the TET Rally Latvia, round eight of the World Rally Championship. Picture: Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool .

There were mixed fortunes for the Irish pair of Moira’s William Creighton (Ford Fiesta Rally2) and Kilrea’s Josh McErlean (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) in the WRC2 category of the TET Rally Latvia, round eight of the World Rally Championship. Creighton, who was co-driven by Liam Regan, netted a season’s best fifth place but McErlean and co-driver James Fulton had to be content with eighth having occupied third during the opening leg.

Meanwhile, WR champion Kalle Rovanpera (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) led throughout the rally before finishing 39.2s ahead of his Toyota team mate Sebastien Ogier. Hyundai’s Ott Tanak clinched third on the very final stage where he took the maximum five points for the Power Stage to move to within eight points of his team mate and championship leader Thierry Neuville, who finished eighth overall having been hampered by running as the road opening gravel cleaner.