REPORT / EAST RIDING STAGES 2025
05/03/2025WORDS BY DAN MORRIS | PHOTOGRAPY BY ROB SAYER & CHRIS COOK
The Probite British Rally Championship and the Protyres Asphalt Rally Championship both kicked off their 2025 seasons on the fast, flowing tarmac of East Yorkshire with the East Riding Stages, an event often dubbed the “English Ypres” for its tight lanes, open cuts, and unforgiving ditches. Based around the historic market town of Beverley, the rally has grown in stature in recent years, earning praise for its slick organisation and strong local support.
Crews tackled 53 miles of competitive action across ten stages, including two runs of a Super Special through Beverley’s parkland, just a short walk from the town centre. Designed with fans in mind, the stage brought rallying up close, offering the casual spectator a glimpse of the action before the crews headed back out into the high-speed Yorkshire lanes.
This year’s British Rally Championship has a fresh look, with reigning champion Chris Ingram opting not to defend his title. This leaves the door wide open for last year’s runner-up, William Creighton, who has stepped into the vacated Toyota Yaris Rally2 run by Melvyn Evans Motorsport alongside teammate Meirion Evans. Their biggest rivals from last season, M-Sport, remain heavily invested, with Garry Pearson returning and last year’s Junior WRC champion, Estonian Romet Jürgenson, joining the team.
Four-time BRC champion Keith Cronin is also back, this time in a Citroën C3, a brand he’s had plenty of success with in the past, as Keith chases that elusive fifth title. He won’t be the only one flying the flag for the French marque, as Max McRae has committed to a full season campaign in a C3 Rally2, running under a newly formed MRF Tyres team alongside title contender James Williams, who sticks with his Orange Amplifiers backed Hyundai i20 Rally2.
A number of BRC crews would also be registered for the Asphalt series, including reigning Asphalt Champ Callum Black, James Williams and Neil Roskell, who would be joined in the series by the likes of Jason Pritchard, a multiple past Asphalt and British Historic Rally champ, this time at the wheel of a new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 and Sam Touzel in a Ford Fiesta Rally2, to name but a few.
Photos By Rob Sayer
STAGES 1 – 4
William Creighton was on a mission, quickly adapting to the Yaris despite only limited seat time at Bont’s testing centre in Wales. He dominated the opening loop, winning all four stages before the first service while keeping things in check. After stage one, he admitted he was being cautious, saying, “It’s easy to go off, and it’s too early in the season for that.” By the end of the loop, he reiterated that he was playing it safe but felt comfortable in the car, perhaps an ominous sign for his rivals, given he held a 19-second lead heading back into service.
Photos: William Creighton & Dan Regan By Chris Cook | Keith Cronin & Mikie Galvin – By Rob Sayer
Keith Cronin settled into second place with a measured approach, admitting he was “too cautious” as he got to grips with his new French machine. But his steady pace kept him just ahead (by less than a second) of a tightly packed trio behind. MRF’s James Williams (the leading Asphalt contender), a fired-up Garry Pearson, and Meirion Evans were all separated by mere tenths in the fight for second.
Photos: James Williams & Ross Whittock – By Chris Cook | Garry Pearson & Hannah McKillop – By Rob Sayer
Pearson was flying, briefly holding second place heading into stage four, but a small mistake cost him. He ran wide, clipped a bank, and dropped to fourth. Despite the setback, the M-Sport driver remained upbeat, taking plenty of confidence from his early pace.
Just outside the top five, Romet Jürgenson impressed on his first tarmac outing in a Rally2 car, setting the second-fastest time on the final stage of the loop. M-Sport’s latest prospect remained optimistic despite still finding his rhythm. “I don’t feel like I’m on the pace yet, but I’m improving and heading in the right direction,” he said. He certainly was, closing to within 11 seconds of second place overall.
Photos: Romet Jurgenson & Oja Siim | James Ford & Neil Shanks | Max McRae & Cameron Fair – By Rob Sayer
Not everyone enjoyed a trouble-free start, with early retirements proving costly. James Ford’s season began in frustratingly familiar fashion, crashing out on the opening stage just as he had last year on the North West Stages. Max McRae endured a scrappy start to his first full BRC campaign, suffering a few early spins before clipping a bale on a fast left-hander and sliding off into one of East Riding’s unforgiving ditches. Though uninjured, McRae’s team opted to retire the car as a precaution and took him to the hospital for wrist checks.
AFTER STAGE 4
| POS | LEADERBOARD | CHAMP | TIME (+DIFF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | #3 W.CREIGHTON / L.REGAN | BRC | 22:00.3 |
| 2 | #2 K.CRONIN / M.GALVIN | BRC | 22:19.0 (+18.7) |
| 3 | #4 J.WILLIAMS / R.WHITTOCK | BRC / ARC | 22:20.8 (+1.8) |
| 4 | #11 G.PEARSON / H.MCKILLOP | BRC | 22:21.8 (+1.0) |
| 5 | #6 .M.EVANS / D.FURNISS | BRC | 22:22:0 (+0.2) |
| 6 | #8 R.JURGENSON / S.OJA | BRC | 22:30.1 (+8.1) |
| 7 | #5 C.BLACK / J.MORTON | BRC / ARC | 22:32.7 (+2.6) |
| 8 | #18 H.BRUNTON / D.STURROCK | BRC / ARC | 22:48.1 (+15.4) |
| 9 | #12 N.ROSKELL / R.FAGG | BRC / ARC | 22:49.7 (+1.6) |
| 10 | #15 E.PAYNE / P.WALSH | BRC | 22:52,6 (+2.9) |
STAGES 5 – 10
After service, the drivers headed into Beverley town centre, where a large crowd had gathered to watch the two short Super Specials. Creighton continued his domination by posting the fastest times on both runs, extending his lead over Keith Cronin to 20 seconds. James Williams, however, had a less enjoyable experience, clipping a bale and launching his i20 airborne. Fortunately, the car remained undamaged, but the moment dropped him to fourth. Meirion Evans took advantage, putting in a clean run through the parkland to move up to third.
Returning to the stages, crews faced an even tougher challenge as rain started to fall, adding to the mud and cuts left behind by the massive 170-car field.
The conditions did nothing to slow Creighton’s relentless pace on the 12.7km Wawme Common test, where he took another four seconds out of Cronin, stressing the need to “be smart with the lead” in such slippery conditions. Cronin remained in second overall, while James Williams set the second-fastest time on the stage, getting to grips with his new MRF tyres, which he described as “interesting and challenging.” He tied with Jürgenson, who had a huge moment and admitted, “That was crazy, really crazy! I had a big moment up a bank, and now my confidence is gone. We’re locking up under braking.” Welcome to British rallying, Romet!
Photo: James Williams & Ros Whittock – By Rob Sayer
Williams’ strong run moved him back up to third, pushing Evans back to fourth. Jürgenson climbed to fifth, while Garry Pearson’s early rally unravelled further after a spin at the finish cost him valuable time, dropping him down to eighth.
Stage 8 saw little change at the front, with the top four holding their positions and the gaps remaining steady. Jürgenson slipped to sixth overall, overtaken by a resurgent Callum Black, who was finally feeling at one with the car. “We put some wets on the car and softened it up, so now I feel like I can drive the car!” he said. After a very up-and-down event, Garry Pearson’s rally came to an early end, missing a braking point and sliding off the road, bringing a frustrating close to what had been a promising start.
Photo: Callum Black & Jack Morton – By Rob Sayer
William Creighton, expertly guided by Liam Regan, approached the final two stages with a measured mindset, ensuring there were no late dramas. He narrowly missed out on a clean sweep of stage wins, losing SS9 by just 1.5 seconds, but that did little to threaten his charge. Creighton’s win was never in doubt, winning the rally by 23.8 seconds on his MEM run Yaris Rally2 debut.
Photo: William Creighton & Liam Regan – By Rob Sayer
“I’m just really really happy, I’m excited for what’s to come, thank you to the sponsors as without them we wouldn’t be here. Fair play to the guys who built this car!”
William Creighton
Asphalt contenders, Mark Kelly & Will Atkins, ensured that Creighton didn’t take a clean sweep of stage wins. Although the pair had a troubled start to the rally, running into trouble after only the first stage in the morning loop. The pair came back out under super rally with a point to prove, recording three fastest stage times on SS5, SS6 and SS9.
Photos: Mark Kelly & Will Atkins | Keith Cronin & Mikie Galvin – By Chris Cook
Keith Cronin alongside Mikie Galvin would secure a solid second place overall in his new Citroën. Given that he was still adjusting to the car and how last year’s campaign had started, Cronin was satisfied with the result, knowing he’d put valuable points on the board heading into the second round, the Carlisle Stages in April.
“I was hoping for a podium to start the season – lots to learn and a good start the season”
Keith Cronin
James Williams, however, wasn’t as pleased with third overall and in the BRC plus maximum points in the Asphalt Championship, stating, “Third isn’t good enough – I want to win.” But despite his frustration, it was a strong start to the championship. Meirion Evans followed in fourth, adding valuable points for Melvyn Evans Motorsport team’s score sheet, alongside Creighton’s win. Callum Black rounded out the top five, frustrated with his early setup choices but encouraged by his BRC podium, second place in the Asphalt Championship and his level of pace once the car felt right in the afternoon loop.
Photos: James Williams & Ross Whittock | Meirion Evans & Dale Furniss | Callum Black & Jack Morton – By Rob Sayer
Neil Roskell & Rob Fagg would secure the third step on the Asphalt Championship podium, ahead of Jason Pritchard and Phil Clarke who made a decent return to rally with their result following a stint away from the sharp end of rallying with Sam Touzel rounding out the top five Asphalt crews.
Photos: Neil Roskell & Rob Fagg | Jason Pritchard & Phil Clarke | Sam Touzel & Max Freeman – By Rob Sayer
JBRC
The 2025 Junior British Rally Championship was also in action at the East Riding Stages. The junior category was yet again, full of Motorsport Ireland talent, with all five competitors in Peugeot 208 Rally4s. Craig Rahill came out of the blocks flying, setting the fastest stage times with Co-Driver Conor Smith through the dry morning loop.
Photo: Craig Rahil & Conor Smith – By Chris Cook
As rain fell in the afternoon, Rahill, however, lost crucial time with two costly spins on stages, while Kyle McBride thrived in the changing conditions. McBride strung together a hat-trick of fastest times to snatch the lead and leapfrog Rahill by 9.4 seconds at the finish. Rahill had to settle for second despite mounting a comeback and winning the final two stages, while Keelan Grogan and Ayrton Sherlock rounded out the podium, completing an all-Irish sweep in the junior class of the British Rally Championship.
Photo: Kyle McBride & Darraugh Mullen – By Rob Sayer
“We got on much better in that second loop there so, happy out. The aim this weekend was to get back in the car, take it steady & get some points on the board, so thankfully, we did just that.”
Kyle McBride
CLASS ROUND UP
Elsewhere in the other classes, Robert Proudlock made his debut in four-wheel drive by stepping up into the BRC3 category in his new Ford Fiesta Rally3, winning the class alongside co-driver Dan James.
Photos: Robert Proudlock & Daniel James | Sam Touzel & Max Freeman – By Rob Sayer | Rob Cotton & Owen Paterson – By Chris Cook
Sam Touzel capitalised on Hugh Brunton sliding off on the same corner as Garry Pearson to win the open category in his Fiesta, and Rob Cotton with Owen Patterson would take the National Rally by over three minutes in his new Subaru Impreza, finishing an impressive 17th overall and mixing it with the Rally2 machines.
FINAL RESULTS
| POS | LEADERBOARD | CHAMP | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | #3 W.CREIGHTON / L.REGAN | BRC | 47:13.5 |
| 2 | #2 K.CRONIN / M.GALVIN | BRC | 47:37.3 (+23.8) |
| 3 | #4 J.WILLIAMS / R.WHITTOCK | BRC / ARC | 47:46.5 (+9.2) |
| 4 | #6 .M.EVANS / D.FURNISS | BRC | 47:53.0 (+6.5) |
| 5 | #5 C.BLACK / J.MORTON | BRC /ARC | 48:01.8 (+8.8) |
| 6 | #8 R.JURGENSON / S.OJA | BRC | 48:10.5 (+8.7) |
| 7 | #12 N.ROSKELL / R.FAGG | BRC / ARC | 48:53.4 (+42.9) |
| 8 | #17 M.HIRST / D.DEAR | BRC | 48:55.0 (+1.6) |
| 9 | #15 E.PAYNE / .P.WALSH | BRC | 49:04.1 (+9.1) |
| 10 | #9 J.PRITCHARD / P.CLAKRE | BRC / ARC | 49:04.3 (+0.2) |
Photo: BRC Podium – By Rob Sayer
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
| POS | BRC | POINTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WILLIAM CREIGHTON | 25 |
| 2 | KEITH CRONIN | 18 |
| 3 | JAMES WILLIAMS | 15 |
| 4 | MEIRION EVANS | 12 |
| 5 | CALLUM BLACK | 11 (J) |
| POS | JUNIOR BRC | POINTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | KYLE MCBRIDE | 25 |
| 2 | CRAIGH RAHILL | 18 |
| 3 | KEELAN GROGAN | 15 |
| POS | BRC OPEN | POINTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SAM TOUZEL | 25 |
| 2 | DARREN MARTIN | 18 |
| 3 | NATHAN BOLTON | 15 |
| POS | BRC NATIONAL | POINTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ROB COTTON | 25 |
| 2 | ALYN WLSBY | 18 |
| 3 | CHRIS RICHMOND-HAND | 15 |
| POS | ASPHALT RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP | POINTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JAMES WILLIAMS | 30 |
| 2 | CALLUM BLACK | 28 |
| 3 | NEIL ROSKELL | 27 |
| 4 | JASON PRITCHARD | 26 |
| 5 | SAM TOUZEL | 25 |
NEXT TIME
Whilst the Asphalt series heads over to the iconic Manx Rally (11th & 12th April), the British Rally Championship switches up to Gravel, and will take on the forest stages in the borders with the Carlisle Stages which steps in for the Severn Valley on April 12th.
