Indomitable Ingram Inspired at the Nicky Grist Stages
As the clouds gathered above the Welsh countryside on Saturday 13th of July, rally enthusiasts assembled for the highly anticipated 2024 Nicky Grist Stages. The classic mid-Wales gravel stages, rich with WRC heritage, were set to test the skills of some of the best rally drivers in the country. With an impressive entry list that included several British Championship contenders, excitement was in the air. A total of 118 crews were ready to tackle the 44.48 competitive stage miles across the challenging gravel roads of the Epynt military ranges. The main talking point before the event was the entry of 2019 European champion Chris Ingram, co-driven by Alex Kihurani, in their brand new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.
Images courtesy of Rob Sayer
The duo wasted no time getting to grips with the new machinery, winning the opening Llyn Login stage. Though only by 1 second from BRC rival Keith Cronin.
Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear showed their prowess. Quickest of the BTRDA runners on the opening test, narrowly edging out Elliott Payne and Patrick Walsh by a hair's breadth. However, their triumph was short-lived as they unfortunately retired shortly after the end of the stage.
The highly anticipated first run through Monument had to be called off at short notice, adding an unexpected twist to the rally. But the action resumed in stage 3, with Cronin taking the lead after a stage win, 4 seconds quicker than Ingram.
Meirion Evans, after a slow start in stage 1, had found his form and posted the third quickest time in stage 3. Climbing up the order to 4th place overall. The battle between the top contenders was heating up, with Ingram, Cronin, and Evans all vying for the top spot.
The final stage of the morning loop saw the BRC regulars showing their dominance once more, with Ingram and Kihurani taking the stage win ahead of Cronin and Buckley, followed by Evans and Jackson. As the halfway point of the day approached, Ingram held a slim lead over Cronin, with Evans hot on their heels in 3rd place.
Ingram and Kihurani continued their dominance in the afternoon. Winning the second pass through Llyn Login by a second, further solidifying their lead. Meanwhile, Elliot Payne and Patrick Walsh were on a mission. Putting in a blistering performance through stage 5 and snatching back 3rd place from Evans by a razor-thin margin of just 2.6 seconds. With only three stages left, every moment counted.
At this point Chris Ingram in his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 seemed unstoppable, extending his lead over Keith Cronin with another strong showing in stage 6. The gap between them now stood at 4.3 seconds, with Ingram firmly in control.
But the fight for 3rd place was far from over, as Evans and Jackson fought back and managed to edge out Payne and Walsh by just half a second. The gap between them narrowed to a mere 2.1 seconds, promising an exciting conclusion to the race.
By the penultimate stage, Ingram was in a league of his own, setting a jaw-dropping time that was 9 and a half seconds faster than anyone else. His dominance was undeniable, and he was well on his way to claiming victory in his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. In a final push, Evans continued to apply pressure on Payne, and the battle for 3rd place was fierce. In a dramatic turn of events, Evans managed to overhaul Payne in the penultimate stage, securing a 1.1-second lead and going on to clinch 3rd place.
As the dust settled, Ingram and Kihurani emerged victorious, marking the first win for a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 on UK soil. Cronin and Buckley settled for 2nd place, while Evans and Jackson took home a well-deserved 3rd place finish.
In the standings, it was Payne who secured top points in the BTRDA Championship, showcasing his skill and determination.
And in the Historic class, Ben Friend and Cliff Simmons celebrated a hard-earned victory.
The stage is now set for the next round of the championship, the Phil Price Memorial Woodpecker Rally, where the competitors will once again test their mettle on challenging gravel roads. With the momentum building and the stakes higher than ever, the excitement of rally continues to captivate fans and drivers alike.
Images & Content Courtesy of Rob Sayer
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