STEPHEN BRUNSDON
“The quality is still present at the front”
What a difference a year makes in UK rallying. Twelve months ago when the British Rally Championship left Ypres, Matt Edwards had effectively done enough to be crowned champion. Although much was still left to play for, it never seemed like the Welshman would be troubled too much and that spoke volumes of the 2018 BRC season.
Poor entries, a lack of consistent competition for Edwards and the cancellation of two events – the Border Counties and the Manx Rally – left a bitter taste in the mouths of rally fans. It was as if the BRC had, after a superb 2017 season, fallen back into its old ways.
Fast forward a year and we have a genuine battle for the title between two crews at the top of their game. And while the entries have dipped significantly since the opening round on the Cambrian in February, both Edwards and countryman Tom Cave have shown that the quality is still very much present at the front.
This battle could take a turn in either driver’s favour this weekend as Cave aims to make it three wins in a row, while Edwards looks to get on terms with the Hyundai driver – whom he trails by seven points – by taking a first win since the Cambrian.
A lot of naysayers will have you believe that the BRC is finished or lacking in entertainment, but that is a load of nonsense in reality. Yes, the entries could be better and yes, there have been disappointments this season – think the reduced running on the Pirelli last time out, or the Irish entries curtailing their campaigns – but who says this is necessarily a bad thing?
If anything, it puts more emphasis on two increasingly interesting title fights. As well as Cave and Edwards for the overall title, the Junior BRC has been sensational since the opening round. Josh Mcerlean has been the man to beat but he has an array of quick crews willing and able to snatch the momentum away from him.
William Creighton has been going somewhat under the radar this year, doing his own thing and is only 11 points adrift of his fellow Northern Irishman. James Wilson is another who can potentially take a win off Mcerlean having won the opening round, while James Williams is desperate to show what he is capable of as he returns to his trusted Adam R2.
The BRC may be some way short of its late 1990s heyday, but it is too often done a disservice by those waiting for it to fail. Whatever Ypres brings, Cave versus Edwards might just be the shot in the arm the BRC needs.