William Creighton and Liam Regan got their Probite British Rally Championship campaign off the the best possible start as they stormed to their first BRC victory on last Sunday's East Riding Stages Rally.
Rally winners William Creighton/Liam Regan in the Castrol Melvyn Evans Motorsport Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 took seven out of ten stage wins. Photo: Rally Media UK
The rally, held on Sunday, 23rd February, featured an incredible line-up of drivers, including Probite British Rally Championship (BRC) and Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship contenders.
Organised by Beverley and District Motor Club, the event has cemented its status as one of the most exciting and competitive closed-road rallies in the UK. Thousands of spectators braved the February weather to witness some of the UK's best rally drivers in action in challenging and changing conditions.
At the end of a dramatic day of rallying, it was William Creighton and co-driver Liam Regan in the Castrol-backed Melvyn Evans Motorsport Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 who claimed a dominant first overall victory in the British Rally Championship.
Rally winners William Creighton/Liam Regan with the Castrol Melvyn Evans Motorsport team. Photo: Rally Media UK
The pair were untouchable throughout the event, taking an incredible seven out of ten stage wins and crossing the final time control with a winning margin of 23.8 seconds.
Speaking after his stunning performance, Creighton said: "It means a lot to win a round of the BRC, especially when you look at the names on the entry list this year. We came so close last season, so this feels good to finally get the job done. "
It was to be the second step of the podium for four-time British Rally Champion Keith Cronin and co-driver Mikie Galvin.
Photo: Rally Media UK
Four-time British Rally Champion Keith Cronin, alongside co-driver Mikie Galvin, fought hard to keep Creighton within reach but ultimately had to settle for second place in their Citroën C3 Rally2. Despite setting strong times in the latter stages, they couldn’t match the outright speed of the Toyota crew.
"At the start of the rally I was hoping that a podium would be good," said Cronin. "We had such a bad start to the season last year. I think we struggled a bit at the start, it's still not 100% clicking, but I think with a bit more fine tuning we'll get there. In general I'm very happy with the start. There's a lot to learn with a new car and new tyres."
James Williams and Ross Whittock delivered a strong podium finish in their Orange Amplification Hyundai i20 N Rally2. Williams opened his account with third on the opening timed test, before another four top three stage times kept him in the podium hunt right until the very end and despite a last stage push, he missed out on second overall by just 9.2 seconds.
James Williams and Ross Whittock delivered a strong podium finish in their Orange Amplification Hyundai i20 N Rally2.
Photo: Rally Media UK
"There is more to come from me. We want to be fighting for the win." said Williams. "Thank you to the whole team for getting Ross and I to the start line to enable us to do the job this weekend. Thank you also to all the marshals and organisers for putting on a great rally in very challenging conditions. The real heroes this weekend."
Williams was also competing for points in the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship and took the overall win in the BTRDA Asphalt series by 15.3 seconds to lead the drivers’ standings after Round 1 – just as he did in 2024.
“After six months out I was a bit rusty on the morning stages, but I’m very happy to start the season by scoring maximum Protyre Asphalt Championship points,” added Williams.
Callum Black/Jack Morton finished 5th overall and were second placed Protyre Asphalt Championship crew.
Photo: Rally Media UK
Co-driven by Jack Morton, Callum Black ultimately had to settle for 5th overall and a solid second-placed points finish in the Asphalt Championship. The defending Protyre Asphalt champion was much more at home in the afternoon, having softened the suspension, changed the anti-roll bars and bolted on wet weather Michelin tyres on his Pallas Connections Ford Fiesta Rally2.
Neil Roskell/Rob Fagg completed the Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship Podium and finished in 7th place.
Photo: Rally Media UK
Neil Roskell/Rob Fagg wished they’d taken super-soft Michelins on the morning loop as, like many, they struggled to find grip in their ND Civils/Burdens/Witham Motorsport Fiesta Rally2. They were much happier on the rainy afternoon stages on wet tyres and completed the Protyre Asphalt podium.
Local driver Olver Mathison co-driven by fellow BDMC Club member Ryan Witty won the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Championship Class F and leads the Junior section of the championship.
Photo:Rally Media UK
In the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship classes, local driver and Beverley & District Motor Club members Oliver Mathison with co-driver Ryan Witty gave an accomplished performance on their local roads to win Class F in their Blue + Orange Motorsport Citroën Saxo VTS. Oliver now leads the Protyre Asphalt Junior section.
The atmosphere in Beverley town centre was electric as the rally officially got underway in the Saturday Market FanZone.
Photo: Rally Media UK
The atmosphere in Beverley town centre was electric as the rally officially got underway in the Saturday Market FanZone. Families, rally fans, and local residents turned out in force to see the competing crews up close as they prepared to take on the fast and flowing roads of the East Riding.
"Beverley & District Motor Club is so proud to be able to bring the very top level of rallying to the East Riding of Yorkshire. Nowhere else in the UK have so many rally cars, ranging from the very best in the country to clubmen in much more modest cars, competed in an event which has been so popular with the community," commented Matthew Atkinson, Clerk of the Course. "The support we receive from all the local community is amazing, and of course everyone comments on the friendly welcome that is so typical of people in Yorkshire."
Beverley & District Motor Club is proud to be able to bring the very top level of rallying to the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Photo: Rally Media UK
Beverley and District Motor Club would like to extend a huge thank you to the dedicated team of marshals, timekeepers, organisers, and volunteers who made the event possible. Without their tireless efforts in cold, wet, and challenging conditions this rally would not be the success that it is today.
A huge thank you to the dedicated team of marshals, timekeepers, organisers, and volunteers who made the event possible.
Photo: Rally Media UK
East Riding Stages Rally 2025
Overall Final Results
1st Overall 3 William Creighton / Liam Regan Toyota GR Yaris
2nd Overall 2 Keith Cronin / Mikie Galvin Citroën C3 Rally2
3rd Overall 4 James Williams / Ross Whittock Hyundai I20 N Rally2
1st Class A 64 Mark Constantine / Andrew Constantine Vauxhall Corsa
1st Class B 62 Ben Wilkinson / Sam Spencer Peugeot 106 Maxi
2nd Class B 91 Roger Priestnall / Jamie Forrest Proton Satria Super 1600
3rd Class B 104 Meghan O'kane / Nikki Addison Ford Fiesta R2
1st Class C 49 Kyle McBride / Darragh Mullen Peugeot 208
2nd Class C 50 Craig Rahill / Conor Smith Peugeot Rally 4
3rd Class C 47 Keelan Grogan / Ayrton Sherlock Peugeot 208 Rally4
1st Class D 46 Kyle Adam / Steven Brown Ford Escort
2nd Class D 29 Huw James / Lewis Sim Ford Escort
3rd Class D 54 Mark Jasper / Don Whyatt Ford Escort MK2
1st Class E 60 Rob Cotton / Owen paterson Subaru Impreza
2nd Class E 66 Adrian Spencer / Mark Hewitt Subaru Impreza
3rd Class E 45 Joe Mckeand / Charlotte Mcdowall Subaru Impreza
1st Class F 6 Meirion Evans / Dale Furniss Toyota GR Yaris Rally2
2nd Class F 5 Callum Black / Jack Morton Ford Fiesta Rally2
3rd Class F 8 Romet Jurgenson / Siim Oja Ford Fiesta Rally2
1st Class H 59 Philip Rogers / Jordan Jones Ford Escort RS 1800
The Wooden Spoon for the last classified finisher
113 Luke Constantine / Ifan Devine Opel Adam R2
See full results at rallies.info
Probite British Rally Championship Final Results
1st Overall 3 William Creighton / Liam Regan Toyota GR Yaris
2nd Overall 2 Keith Cronin / Mikie Galvin Citroën C3 Rally2
3rd Overall 4 James Williams / Ross Whittock Hyundai I20 N Rally2
See full results at britishrallychampionship.co.uk
Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship Final Results
1st Overall 4 James Williams / Ross Whittock Hyundai I20 N Rally2
2nd Overall 5 Callum Black / Jack Morton Ford Fiesta Rally2
3rd Overall 7 Neil Roskell / Rob Fagg Ford Fiesta Rally2
See full results at asphaltrallying.com
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