Academy crews vie for titles on Cambrian’s BRC decider

The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy’s William Creighton and Liam Regan head to Saturday's Cambrian Rally targeting their maiden British Rally Championship title.

Meanwhile, in Rally4, Kyle McBride, Darragh Mullen, and Killian McArdle complete their year-long intra-academy battle for Junior BRC and Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup honours.

Creighton arrives as the Cambrian Rally’s top seed after finishing second on last year's event. The Toyota Yaris Rally2 crew hold a healthy 16.5-point lead over Castrol MEM team-mate Meirion Evans heading into the final round, with the 27-year-old aiming for his first BRC title after finishing second in last year's series and winning Junior BRC in 2021.

Creighton has demonstrated consistent form this season, leading the series throughout, with two victories on the East Riding Stages and Grampian Forest Rally, putting him in pole position to seal the championship on the Welsh gravel stages.

"It is exciting to be heading into the final round of the championship in this position," said Creighton. "We have had strong results throughout the year which gives us a nice lead in the championship, but there is still plenty of work to do at the Cambrian."

"I am just trying to stay focused and follow my normal process to try to deliver a strong performance. The Cambrian is always a tricky event; the grip is generally quite low due to the conditions at this time of the year, but it's also an event that I have experience of, which helps with our preparations."

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Kyle McBride and Darragh Mullen arrive at the Landudno-based event with the Junior BRC and Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup titles in their sights. A solid finish will seal the Junior BRC crown, but a top result is needed to secure the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup on the final round of both series, setting up a winner-takes-all showdown with Joseph Kelly and MI Rally Academy co-driver Killian McArdle.

"I am really looking forward to the weekend ahead," McBride commented. "The Cambrian Rally is the final round of both of my championships, the Junior BRC and the Stellantis Cup."

"It is a really important weekend with both titles up for grabs. The preparations are going well and I'm excited to get back out on gravel in the Peugeot 208 Rally4."

“It has been a great year so far and we will put in a big effort this weekend. Thanks to everyone who has helped me out this year, everyone behind the scenes. It is the biggest weekend of the year for me now but we will go out and enjoy it."

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Joseph Kelly and his MI Rally Academy co-driver Killian McArdle have battled against McBride throughout 2025. The Peugeot 208 Rally4 crew are still in the Junior BRC hunt and would seal the Stellantis Cup title if they fend off McBride and Mullen on the Cambrian.

"Looking forward to the battle on the classic Welsh stages," said McArdle. "The stages look in top condition and after a good test on Wednesday we can’t wait to get attacking them. With only one point difference in the Stellantis Cup, the maths is very simple, winner takes all so it’ll be all out attack to try to beat Kyle and Darragh."

Jack Harris and Aaron O'Regan make their second-ever start outside of Ireland on the Cambrian. Harris finished eighth overall in a Ford Fiesta R2T on the event two years ago. The 20-year-old travels to Wales in good gravel form after a Bushwhacker class win, ready to test his pace against the Junior BRC regulars on the classic gravel stages.

"I am delighted to be going back to Llandudno for the Cambrian this weekend," declared Harris. "We really enjoyed doing this event back in 2023 in the Fiesta R2T after graduating that year from the J1000 class."

"Since then, we have had a lot of seat time on gravel and this year we will be going back to see what our pace is like amongst the Junior BRC regulars. It will be nice to enjoy the fast and flowing Welsh gravel again."

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Meanwhile, Keelan Grogan and Ayrton Sherlock step up from Rally4 competition to make their Rally3 debut on the Fastnet Stages Rally. The Junior ERC crew will tackle the final round of Ireland's National Rally Championship in a Renault Clio, marking their first experience with four-wheel-drive machinery.

"A bit of a change for us this weekend at the Fastnet Rally," said Grogan, "as we will be making our Rally3 debuts. I am very grateful to Adrian Quinn for letting me take his newly acquired Renault Clio for a spin."

“Our main aim is to get acquainted with four-wheel-drive machinery for the first time while also working on set-up to help get the car more tuned into Irish roads. The stages look like a real challenge so it should be a good opportunity to learn some things."