Chilman becomes FUCHS British Historic Rally Champion
Hereford driver Roger Chilman and co-driver Patrick Walsh became the 2023 Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Champions after taking their Ford Escort MKII to third at the Carlisle Stages Rally [20/21 October].
Chilman headed into the final round of an exciting seven-round season in the box seat after three wins took them into a head-to-head race for the crown with Nick Elliott and Dave Price in their Fiat 131 Abarth.
It was Chilman’s to lose, with Elliott needing to win to even stand a chance of the title but by the end of the opening stage of the rally, it was almost all but decided in the Escort driver's favour after Elliott beached the Fiat for nine minutes; all hopes of a win – and a title diminished.
All that was left, was Chilman to keep his head over the remaining stages and with Elliott electing to call it a day and save the car for the pending Roger Albert Clark Rally, the championship was sealed with a fine display over the Kielder stages, also sealing the Category Three [cars registered between 1975 -1981] title in the process.
“We have had to work really hard for this,” said a delighted Chilman.
“There were a lot of good crews who decided to do the championship and luckily we had some good results to begin the season with, and of course, we have been reliable; that’s what you need to win championships”.
“Huge thanks to the great man beside me [Patrick Walsh], and to Wales Motorsport as the car has been fantastic, and of course to my sponsors and family too for their support”.
“It’s nice to be in some great company [as champion] and especially against some great competition this season, it feels really good and a real proper achievement; one that we will remember”.
An impressive entry lined up to do battle over the infamous stages in the England and Scotland borders of Kielder Forest. Sadly, due to Storm Babet, Friday night’s planned two stages in darkness were called off, leaving six tests on Saturday to decide the final BHRC round victors.
Former World Rally Championship ace Kris Meeke was getting valuable seat time for the RAC Rally later this year and immediately stormed into an early lead. Although not registered for points, the Northern Irishman was the perfect benchmark for others to follow and it was Gareth James with Dan Petrie alongside who set the BHRC pace, with Trackrod winner Jason Pritchard second.
The second test saw Pritchard and co-driver Phil Clarke leapfrog James with a stellar time, picking up where they left off last month in Yorkshire. And it would be there they stayed for the remainder of the event, taking their Ford Escort MKII to its third BHRC victory of the season and enjoying an impressive 41-second cushion at the finish.
“Just one more to go now,” Pritchard remarked, referring to the Roger Albert Clark Rally.
“We set out to have some fun today and that’s what we did. I`ve not seen any results all day so it’s a bit of a shock to hear we have won”.
Marty McCormack and Barney Mitchell were in line to challenge Pritchard over the closing stages but drama struck on the very last test when a rim on their Escort broke, leaving the duo to stop and change and handing the position back to James, his best result of the season.
Whilst it was Meeke and co-driver Noel O’Sullivan who claimed the spoils, they would not take points away from the BHRC chargers and that left Chilman third BHRC contender home, whilst 2019 champions Simon Webster and Jez Rogers secured fourth with a trouble-free run.
The race for the Category Two [cars registered between 1968-1975] title would also be played out over the final round, although it was a much simpler task for championship hopeful Josh Carr; finish. Easier said than done in the unforgiving muddy Borders tests, although the youngster handled the pressure perfectly, taking his Ford Escort MK1 with Osian Owen alongside to fourth spot which was enough to take the crown.
The co-driver’s title would go to Mike Reynolds who accompanied Jeremy Easson to the Category win on the rally, with Easson taking the championship runner-up spot in the process. Second place would go to Phil Jobson/Peter Johnson [Escort MKI] with Mark Holmes/Craig Simkiss [Escort MKI] taking third.
The Rally2 [non-historic] championship was decided in the favour of Paul Thompson and Josh Davison [Escort MKII] as rivals Seve Magson and Steve Bielby [Astra RWD] were dealt a cruel blow, retiring on the start line of the very first stage.
The 2024 Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship calendar has been revealed and can be viewed HERE.
*All championship results and positions remain provisional until confirmed by the championship organisers.
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