Motorsport: Cronin to face Creighton in Carlisle Rally battle

Moira's William Creighton has his first gravel outing in the MEM Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 on tomorrow's Carlisle Rally, the second round of the Probite British Rally Championship. Pic: BRC.

Tomorrow's Carlisle Rally, the second round of the Probite British Rally Championship, is another William Creighton-Keith Cronin headliner as they chase title success in the dual surface seven event series. 

Since the beginning of last year Moira driver Creighton and Ballylickey's Cronin have faced each other on nine occasions, all bar one within the BRC series. 

So far, Creighton has held sway on five events and came agonisingly close to securing his first BRC title, Cronin, seeking a record-equalling fifth crown, still rules the roost in that regard.

Last year, they both campaigned Ford Fiesta Rally2 cars, Creighton's BRC campaign supplemented a strong programme in the WRC2 category of the World Rally Championship, while Cronin also contested and won a second Irish Tarmac Rally Championship title.

Both have changed cars for this year, Creighton has opted for a MEM-run Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 with victory over Cronin on BRC opener, the East Riding Stages in Yorkshire.

Cronin has switched to a TGM Motorsport-run Citroen C3 Rally2 that eventually topped the classification on the West Cork Rally.

The world-renowned Kielder forests provide the backdrop for tomorrow's encounter with Creighton, adopting a familiar process. 

"We will just approach the event and carry out our preparation in the same way as we did for the East Riding. Knowing the characteristics of the forests in Kielder is useful but it’s a very different prospect to the last time we were there in 2019 (seventh overall) in the Peugeot 208 R2." 

He added. "Our preparation and notes will be instrumental in finding speed on the day. Most of the BRC front-runners have not been in Kielder forests for several years so it’s a good leveller and emphasises the importance of the recce (reconnaissance).” 

Cronin warmed up for Carlisle with a victory in the Carlow Forest Rally. 

"We hadn't been out on a gravel rally since October, so it was important to get familiar with it (gravel surface) again. Doing a rally is always of greater value in that regard than a day's testing. We tried a few things with the car which we would hope to benefit from in the BRC."

With just five stages, there's little room for error. Cronin added, "Four of them are longer than many you would get on other BRC rounds, ten miles and twelve miles. Tyre wear could be an issue, especially early in the day with three stages before the first service." 

Welsh driver James Williams (Hyundai i20N Rally2), the Ford Fiesta Rally2 cars of Callum Black and Elliott Payne along with Meirion Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) and Estonia's Junior WR champion Romet Jurgenson (Ford Fiesta Rally2) are amongst the top seeds. 

The first stage is at 8.52am Meanwhile, it is also second round time in the Sligo Pallets Irish Forest Rally Championship with reigning champion Monaghan's Derek Mackarel (Ford Fiesta Rally2) heading the 120+ entry on tomorrow's EARS Motorsport Moonraker Rally that is based in Dungarvan. 

It's been over a decade since the Munster Car Club used the trio of stages at Coolatoor, The Vee and Scart Mountain. 

Waterford's Andrew Purcell (Ford Fiesta Rally2) spearheads the opposition with Ulster drivers Vivian Hamill and Niall Devine also in Fiesta's capable of taking the spoils. 

Donegal's Eamonn Kelly at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta Rally3 could spilt the more seasoned campaigners as he utilises the event as a shakedown for his next gravel outing in the Junior WRC. 

Cashel's Pat O'Connell (Ford Fiesta R5) has the potential for a top-three finish in a top ten that is bolstered by Stephen Dickson (Fiord Fiesta Rally2); Niall McCullagh (VW Polo GTi R5) and Paul Britton (Ford Fiesta R5). 

Billy Coleman award winner Cavan's Craig Rahill (Ford Fiesta Rally4) is amongst the two-wheel drive contingent led by Shane McGirr (Lada VFTS), Hugh McQuaid and Damien Tourish, both in Ford Escorts. The first stage is scheduled to begin at 10.16am.

Offaly's Alex Dunne competes in the FIA Formula 2 race at the Bahrain GP this weekend. Racing with the Rodin Motorsport outfit, the Clonbullogue teenager will be hoping the team can repeat their 2024 double success at the Sakhir circuit.