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Romet Jurgenson Triumphs at Carlisle Stages, Claiming First British Rally Championship Win
Just three years since his debut in competitive rallying, Estonian driver Romet Jurgenson has captured his inaugural title in the British Rally Championship (BRC), achieving this milestone on Saturday at the Carlisle Stages. His performance in the challenging Kielder Forest solidified his reputation as a rising star in the sport.
Jurgenson, a participant in the FIA Rally Star program and a competitor in the Junior WRC, exhibited remarkable skill by setting the fastest times in four of the five stages, ultimately clinching top honors in his M-Sport Ford Fiesta. His triumph marks an important progression in his rapidly advancing career.
With the Kielder stages returning to the BRC calendar for the first time since 2019, the demanding terrain tested the mettle of all participants. Jurgenson, alongside co-driver Siim Oja, exhibited exceptional determination as they navigated the challenging course.
Initially, Jurgenson secured a narrow lead over competitor Max McRae in the opening stage, though he briefly relinquished this advantage to round one victor William Creighton in his Toyota Yaris. However, Jurgenson quickly regained the lead on the Buck Fell stage and maintained it for the remainder of the rally.
Creighton faced challenges after an error in a chicane during the penultimate stage, which enabled Jurgenson to extend his lead. He ultimately managed his pace effectively in the final stage, securing a comfortable victory.
“I’m really happy to be honest, it finally has all come together,” Jurgenson expressed following his win. “It’s a first-time victory and a really cool feeling. Hopefully, we can prove ourselves even more in the future.”
Creighton Takes Second Place After Mid-Rally Setback
William Creighton secured second place despite struggling to keep pace with Jurgenson. Nevertheless, he was pleased to accumulate valuable points for his ongoing campaign in the BRC. Garry Pearson, driving his Fiesta Rally2, finished third after an intense competition with Keith Cronin, whose hopes of a podium were dashed when his Citroen C3 Rally2 encountered technical issues before the final test.
Callum Back completed the top five in another Fiesta Rally2, while Matt Hirst rounded out the top six in his Skoda Fabia Rally2.
Junior BRC: Kelly’s Stellar Comeback
In the Junior BRC category, Joseph Kelly made an impressive return to the series, claiming his first victory. Partnered with co-driver James McBrearty, Kelly displayed dominance in his Peugeot 208 Rally4, winning all stages and establishing a commanding lead. Kyle McBride, who was in contention, faced a setback with a puncture followed by a roll on SS4, leading to his retirement.
Jack Brennan took advantage of the situation to secure second place, while Kalum Graffin finished third after Sam Mason’s retirement just before reaching the final control.
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