British Historic Rally Championship title set for Carlisle decider
The FUCHS LUBRICANTS British Historic Rally Championship will crown its 2022 champions at this weekend’s Carlisle Stages Rally [22 October].
After five action-packed rounds of the season so far, the coveted title will be decided over six stages in the English and Scottish Borders as Kielder Forest hosts the thrilling concluding chapter of the year.
It’s been a stellar fight for top honours but just two drivers will be in-line to engrave their name on the BHRC trophy as all eyes will be on the battle between Matt Edwards in his FIAT 131 Abarth and Ford Escort MKII ace Henri Grehan.
Heading into the weekend it’s Grehan in the pound seat as he and co-driver Dan Petrie enjoy a 26-point lead in the series. However, with dropped scores and bonus points for starting to be factored in, there is still a chance for Edwards to make history with a back-to-back BRC and BHRC crown.
Simply put, Edwards and co-driver Hamish Campbell must win in Carlisle regardless. But if Grehan finishes fourth or higher, then he will seal the deal. Nail-biting stuff.
Three-time British champion Edwards has hauled his FIAT to the top step of the BHRC three times this season but a non-score on the Woodpecker Rally has dented his title charge. Meanwhile, Grehan has been ultra-consistent and whilst only taking the one win, on his home rally in Ludlow, his points tally has enabled him to set his sights on a maiden Historic crown.
Standing in their way are tricky, fast, and flowing stages in the legendary Kielder Forest complex and arguably Edwards’ knowledge of the tests is greater than Grehan’s. Nevertheless, the battle lines are drawn and the race for top stop will be an interesting watch.
Outside of the title fight, Nick Elliott and Dave Price suffered technical issues in their FIAT 131 last time out at Trackrod Rally Yorkshire and will be looking for redemption in Carlisle as they look to secure a positive result for their new machine.
Robert Gough and Sam Collis also endured a nightmare in Yorkshire and will be looking to secure a good result to round out the season in their Ford Escort MKII but will have the returning Adrian Hetherington and Ronan O’Neill chasing them down in their similar example.
Richard Jordan secured fourth place at the Trackrod with James Gratton Smith alongside and could well bag a podium in their newly built Escort MK11 as they continue to improve. Baz Wheeler and John Pickavance could better their championship position with a good score this weekend, also piloting an Escort.
There are Category honours at stake as well as the BHRC title this weekend. It’s likely to be a three-way battle for the Category Two [cars between 1968-1975] crown between Chris Skill, Warren Philliskirk and Josh Carr.
It’s Skill how has two wins so far, but he skipped the Riponian so cannot afford another zero score in Carlisle. Carr and Philliskirk have been consistent all season, so it will be a points gathering exercise for all three Ford Escort MK1 pilots in the forests.
Bob Bean and Mike Curry have already sown up the Category One [cars up to 1968] title but will head out in their Lotus Cortina to enjoy the final championship round of the season. In the FIA Category K class, Rudi Lancaster will likely seal the crown without even attending, as nearest challenger Simon Crook has yet to place an entry for the weekend.
For more information on any of the Championships promoted by the RACMRC, please visit:
www.racrmc.org
