Chris Ingram and co-driver Alex Kihurani have clinched the 2024 British Rally Championship (BRC) crown following a nail-biting triumph at the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally, which took place on October 26th. Ingram, the former FIA European Rally Champion, expertly navigated his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 through the challenging North Wales stages to secure victory in the season’s final showdown.
The battle for the title was fierce, with four drivers entering the final event in contention for the championship. However, it was Ingram's masterful afternoon drive that pulled him ahead of his rivals, ensuring his place among rallying legends like Colin McRae, Richard Burns, and Elfyn Evans.
A Season-Long Duel
The Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally was anything but straightforward for Ingram. His primary challenger, William Creighton, in a Ford Fiesta Rally2, was locked in a close contest throughout the rally. The two were separated by just 0.9 seconds after the opening stage, and Creighton remained within five seconds of Ingram’s pace during the morning loop.
Despite deploying his points-boosting "Joker" for the finale, Creighton could not outpace Ingram’s calculated and precise driving. Ingram managed to pull away in the afternoon, securing both the rally win and the BRC title. Creighton ultimately finished second in both the event and the championship standings.
Reflecting on his victory, an emotional Ingram said, “What a relief. Will has pushed so hard today, and we’ve had to give it everything. It’s been an amazing season, and I’ve really enjoyed the competition.”
Creighton was equally reflective, acknowledging the challenge of stepping into the Rally2 category for the first time. “It’s been a difficult year, but to compete at the top of the BRC has been amazing. We gave it everything.”
Drama for Pryce and Cronin
Osian Pryce and Keith Cronin, both in contention for the title, faced their own difficulties. Cronin’s hopes of claiming a record-equaling fifth BRC title ended prematurely with steering issues on the second stage. Pryce, meanwhile, struggled to match the pace of the front-runners in his Fiesta Rally2 but managed to finish third, rounding off the season with a podium place.
Max McRae, in only his third-ever gravel event in a Rally2 car, delivered an impressive fourth-place finish, while Garry Pearson and Daniel Barritt completed the top five.
Junior BRC Crowns New Champion
The Cambrian Rally also decided the Junior British Rally Championship (JBRC), with Robert Proudlock emerging as the new champion. Proudlock, co-driven by Steven Brown in a Peugeot 208 Rally4, took a strategic approach to secure the title, finishing fourth in the event. His victory grants him free entries to every round of the 2025 BRC season.
“What a year it’s been,” said Proudlock. “I can’t thank my co-driver and team enough for everything they’ve done this season.”
BRC newcomer Craig Rahill stole the spotlight in the JBRC category with an impressive 48-second victory, while Aoife Raftery secured a podium finish in her Peugeot 208 Rally4.
Stellantis Cup and National Titles
In addition to the main championship battles, Ioan Lloyd and Sion Williams claimed the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK title in their Peugeot 208 Rally4. Their win earned them a prize drive in the 2025 FIA Junior European Rally Championship.
The event also crowned the Open and National Rally champions. John Rintoul, driving a Fiesta R5, secured the Open Title with a strong performance, while William Mains and Tomos Whittle clinched the National category in their Opel Corsa, capping off a season of consistent results.
A Legendary Finale
Adding to the event’s spectacle was a special appearance by rally icon Stig Blomqvist, who drove a Mini Cooper S to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his 1984 World Rally Championship title. Blomqvist’s presence brought a nostalgic touch to the weekend, delighting fans who had gathered to witness the thrilling conclusion of the BRC season.
As the dust settles on the 2024 British Rally Championship, Chris Ingram’s victory marks yet another milestone in his illustrious career, while Junior champion Robert Proudlock looks ahead to a promising future. With fierce competition across all categories, this season will be remembered for its close battles and dramatic finishes.
Images courtesy of Gary Fothergill, Rob Sayer and Alex Stefan
