Reigning FIA Junior WRC champion Romet Jurgenson stormed to his maiden Probite British Rally Championship victory at the 2025 Carlisle Stages Rally, held on April 12 in the fast and dusty lanes of Kielder Forest.
Teaming up with co-driver Siim Oja in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2, Jurgenson dominated the event, setting the fastest time on all but one stage. Their near-flawless drive secured top honours ahead of round one winners William Creighton and Liam Regan, with Garry Pearson and Hannah McKillop rounding out the podium.
The rally unfolded over five high-speed stages straddling the England-Scotland border. Jurgenson seized an early lead and, despite briefly losing the top spot to Creighton, reclaimed it on the first pass through Buck Fell. His position was cemented when Creighton overshot a chicane on the penultimate stage—allowing Jurgenson to go nearly 13 seconds quicker than anyone else.
“It all finally came together,” Jurgenson said. “Even with the dusty conditions early on, I enjoyed the rally. It was a great feeling.”
With maximum championship points now on the board, the Estonian looks ahead to the next challenge in the BRC calendar.
Creighton Strong in Second on Gravel Debut
Championship leader William Creighton, driving a Castrol-backed Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 for the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, put in a strong performance to finish second. It was his first outing on gravel in the new car, but the pace was there.
After a commanding win in February’s East Riding Stages Rally, Creighton and co-driver Liam Regan handled the high-risk, high-reward stages of Kielder well, even briefly holding the lead. Ultimately, a chicane misjudgment cost them, but they still came away with valuable points.
“These new stages really tested us,” Creighton reflected. “Preparation and accurate notes made all the difference today.”
Next stop: the Jim Clark Memorial Rally—a chance to hit back on tarmac.
Pearson Battles Through for Home Podium
Scotland’s Garry Pearson brought it home in third, marking a strong recovery after early setbacks. Driving another M-Sport Fiesta Rally2 with co-driver Hannah McKillop, Pearson overcame a persistent handbrake issue, climbing from fifth to a well-earned podium finish.
“This result is a credit to all the work we’ve put in over the winter,” Pearson said. “And a big congratulations to Romet—great to see an M-Sport 1-3.”
With momentum building, Pearson now turns his focus to his home rally—the iconic Jim Clark Rally.
ARTICLE SPONSORED BY TOORACE
