Perez storms to FUCHS BHRC title
Seb Perez claimed the 2024 Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship title last weekend, as the season reached a thrilling climax at Rally Anglo Caledonian [23/24 November].
The Porsche 911 driver firmly closed the lid on his title charge by taking maximum scores in both Saturday’s and Sunday’s leg of the event, storming to second overall in the rally itself, only beaten by a modern-day turbocharged-four-wheel-drive machine.
In doing so, Perez also ensured co-driver Gary McElhinney clinched the coveted crown despite being on the other side of the world, contesting the Silver Fern Rally in New Zealand. It was also the first BHRC overall title for a Category Two [cars registered from 1968 to 1974] crew since the late David Stokes, along with co-driver Guy Weaver, claimed the crown in 2014 in a Ford Escort MKI.
However, it could have easily been very different, as on the run-up to the event, title rival and Triumph TR7 driver Mark Higgins suffered a shoulder injury, ruling him out of the event and handing Perez the title without turning a wheel.
Whilst Perez could have easily chosen to cruise around the event, dubbed the mini-R.A.C Rally, he elected to end the season on a high as he and co-driver Dale Bowen stormed to a sensational double top score.
The gruelling two-day event, spanning over 133 gravel miles in both England and Scotland, was made even more demanding thanks to the arrival of Storm Bert, bringing severe snow and fog to the opening day in Kielder Forest.
With the challenging conditions, organisers altered the schedule on safety grounds and would eventually salvage six tests in the Borders stages. Such were the conditions; the opening two tests would claim several BHRC contenders, including Adrian Hetherington/Ronan O’Neill [Escort].
Paul Thompson/Josh Davison’s early lead would give way to David Henderson/Will Atkins [Escort] after the opening loop, with Matthew Robinson/Sam Collis [Escort] in third. With the icy Ash Park and Kershope stages repeated, Thompson found his calling and claimed back the lead, but he would need to watch his mirrors.
Perez languished in 17th overall after initially struggling with the conditions, but on the second pass of stages, he found the grip levels much more to his liking and began a fightback. On the Buck Fell test, Perez went a clear minute quicker than the impressive second fastest time of Chris Squires/Shaun Hughes [Escort] to take the lead, further cementing it over the closing stages to take the maximum score by a staggering 2mins 30 seconds.
Thompson took second and top Category 3 [cars registered between 1975 and 1981], whilst Henderson took third and top FIA honours.
Sunday’s Scottish tests offered a stark contrast to the previous leg. With the snow melting away and higher temperatures, it was a return to normal in terms of both the conditions on the stages and the leaderboard.
Once again, Perez was largely unmatchable, although this time, the attack came from Hetherington, who returned for the second day in a bid to claim second in the BHRC standings. The Escort pilot was within shouting distance when a puncture in the Castle O’er stage dropped him over 40 seconds. Even though Perez’s Porsche suffered gear stick issues, the champion held on to his lead to claim the second-day win.
“We will take that”, said an elated Perez on his championship title and second overall at the rally.
“It’s nice to seal up the season with two wins here. It’s been a trying season, though, we had some trying times on a few rounds like the Isle of Man, but it’s been great and one hell of a battle and so very enjoyable. Mark [Higgins] and I have battled all season long, and it’s been sad he wasn’t here for the last one. There have been some great fights with the likes of Richard Hill, Ben Friend, Nick Elliott and all the usual suspects. It’s been great fun, I`ve really enjoyed it, so let’s see what’s next”.
Hetherington took second and top Category Three whilst a fierce battle between Matthew Robinson, Rudi Lancaster and David Henderson played out over the afternoon stages. On the very last test, Lancaster and co-driver Guy Weaver snatched third from Robinson, rounding off a fine drive all weekend.
In terms of the championship, the final stage of the season would prove pivotal as Lancaster and Weaver’s storming run to the podium positions gave him enough points to secure second overall in the standings to round out the season as vice-champions, plus secure the Category Three title to boot.
Hetherington took third, just two points shy, whilst Patrick Cooper took third co-driver despite skipping the final round of the season.
The Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship will formally announce the 2025 calendar in the coming weeks.
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