Latest news with #ToyotaGRYarisRally2
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
Powys town plays host to successful Nicky Grist Rally Stages
DALE Furniss helped Meirion Evans to second place at last weekend's Nicky Grist Stages in Builth Wells. The Llanrhaeadr co-driver partnered Evans in his in his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 which ended two seconds behind rally winner William Creighton. The pair lost 12 seconds with a spin on the opening stage, with the majority of the time lost thanks to the car failing to engage reverse gear. The duo suffered had a puncture between SS2 and 3 and with grip levels compromised they arrived at mid-distance service in third place, 16.6 seconds behind the leaders. Evans enjoyed a good clean run in the afternoon and set fastest time on three of the afternoon's four stages, which moved him from third to second to give the Castrol MEM Rally Team a superb one-two result at the top of the podium. Osian Pryce got his preparations for an assault on the Roger Albert Clark Rally at the end of the year off to the best possible start with an outstanding performance. Driving a Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2 built and supplied by Wales Motorsport for the first time, the 2022 British rally champion from Aberangell was the fastest 2WD competitor throughout the 45-stage mile event held in the mid Wales forests in and around the Mynydd Epynt military range. Builth Wells mayor Mark Hammond flagged the cars away from the start of the Quinton Motor Club organised event from outside Strand Hall. Taking no risks and driving well within himself, Pryce and co-driver Phil Pugh won the hotly contested Historic section of the event by more than a minute, won the BTRDA Silver Star section, finished third in the overall Welsh Rally Championship section and came home first two-wheel drive in a magnificent 12th position overall. 'This was my first gravel rally for nine months and my first in an Escort since the RAC Rally in 2023, so I'm very happy with both our performance and our result,' said Pryce. 'I'm shocked that we won the Historic section by over a minute. I'm not sure if others had problems, but I've been driving at seven and eight tenths all day. Maybe that helped in the hot and abrasive conditions, because in some stages I backed right off to manage the tyres and the times were still good. 'I had a good clean run with no mistakes, nailed all the lines and the car's been fabulous all day. 'To just jump into a new car and drive it, without a single issue, has been an absolute pleasure. It really showcases how good Wales Motorsport is at building and running a car. 'For my first event back preparing for the RAC Rally, it could not have gone any better.' Pryce is supported by The Leading Edge, Demon Tweeks, Hills Ford, Bell, Haddo Energy, Superfast Properties, Red Kite Glass, Diogel Events, Gorsaf Betrol TyMawr, and his own family-run specialist building firm G+M Pryce.
Belfast Telegraph
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Tasting Nicky Grist Stages glory a major bonus for me, beams William Creighton
Creighton has made winning the UK competition his No.1 priority in the 2025 season with the help of Liam Regan, the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and Melvyn Evans Motorsport. He provisionally leads the standings after three rounds and is hoping to steal a march on his rivals at the Grampian Forest Rally on Saturday, August 8 when the series resumes after a lengthy summer break. Those hopes have been fuelled following his performance at a hot and dusty Builth Wells-based Nicky Grist Stages, which he triumphed at by less than three seconds. Creighton shaded the second Castrol MEM Rally Team Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 of team-mate Meirion Evans having run as the first car on the road across all eight special stages. Sweeping was the main factor 27-year-old Creighton had to contend with on the morning loop of stages before soaring temperatures in the afternoon made tyre wear a problem. Despite dropping over 10 seconds on the deciding speed test, former Junior World Rally champion Creighton did enough to secure a second win of the campaign with Regan. 'Saturday went really well, and the opportunity to get seat time in the car is beneficial, especially as the next round of the British Championship is on gravel and it isn't too far away,' Creighton told Belfast Telegraph Sport. 'Right now, it is very much a continuous process of learning and trying to identify how and where we can do things much better. 'It was definitely a challenging rally, the conditions with the heat were something you are more likely to experience in the hot summer European events, so it made it a challenge. 'We had to stay hydrated and focused in order to get the most out of the rally so, all in all, it was a very good day. 'I remember doing the Nicky Grist Stages back in 2017; to go back at the weekend with No.1 on the door was a privilege at an event that has iconic stages and is really well-organised. To come away with a win was a real bonus. 'I want to say a big thank you to all the team, to the Motorsport Ireland Academy and everyone who supports us. It is a real privilege to drive the Castrol MEM Toyota GR Yaris, and it was great to start the Nicky Grist Stages as car No.1 and finish as No.1.'
Irish Examiner
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Callum Devine and Noel O'Sullivan narrowly lead Donegal International Rally
With a pace that matched the searing heat, just thirty seconds cover the top six in the Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally following the six stages in Carndonagh during the opening leg of the three-day event. Derry's Callum Devine (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) and his Killarney co-driver Noel O'Sullivan, seeking a third straight victory, hold a 12.4s lead over the Hyundai of New Zealander Hayden Paddon and his Mallow born co-driver David Moynihan with the Welsh/Killarney duo of Meirion Evans/Ger Conway (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) 2.8s further behind in third. Devine and Armstrong were joint quickest on the opening stage at Malin Head with Paddon 1.9s behind and 0.3s ahead of Donegal's David Kelly (VW Polo GTi R5). Armstrong was best on SS2 Mamore Gap and moved into the lead just 0.9s ahead of Devine, who topped the time sheets on SS3 Coolcross, that completed the opening loop. At the Carndonagh service halt, Devine led by 7.1s. "The pace is fast for sure." His closest rival at the end of last year's rally Meirion Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) had a steady run and moved into second place 3.3s ahead of his MEM team mate William Creighton. Having moved into the lead after SS2 Armstrong dropped to ninth place and thirty seconds off the lead when his Ford Fiesta R5 broke a driveshaft on SS3. Paddon was another to lose time when he spun on SS2 - by the end of the loop he was fifth 12.7s off the lead and 1.5s behind Josh Moffett, who reverted to his Hyundai i20 R5 for this latest round of the Irish Tarmac series. Kelly, who had been temporarily shown as rally leader after SS2, but in reality was seventh, climbed a place to occupy sixth, he reckoned that the stages were dustier than expected. Armstrong set a blistering pace on SS4 and SS5 and admitted to being a bit cautious on SS6 where the level of grip varied. Serving notice of intent he trimmed 9.3s off Devine's lead to leave the gap between them at 20.7s with 14 stages remaining over today (Saturday) and tomorrow. Leader Devine put the event in perspective saying: "There's no let-up in it, the pace is as fast as it's ever been, a second here and there, that's what you get when you bring professional drivers here. "It's trying to stay out of bother but you need to be on the pipe, but we are definitely happy. It's another big day tomorrow." Paddon enjoyed his afternoon as he continued to tweak his Hyundai, adding: "We are still struggling a bit, just for the feeling in the car and the roads are very demanding. You have got to have a lot of confidence in these stages with the car and in the conditions, I'm enjoying it but to be at the maximum, you need to be a hundred percent." Third placed Evans had what he described as his best Friday in Donegal with a strong pace without taking any risks. Josh Moffett completed the top six overnight. In what is set to be an absorbing battle, there are eight stages today and six on Sunday. Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally (Round 4, NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship) Letterkenny 1. C. Devine/N. O'Sullivan (Skoda Fabia RS Rally) 41m. 18.2s 2. H. Paddon/D. Moynihan (Hyundai i20 Rally2)+12.4s 3. M. Evans/G. Conway (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+15.2s 4. W. Creighton/L. Regan (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+15.4s 5. J. Armstrong/S. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+20.7s 6. J. Moffett/A. Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5)+28.9s 7. D. Kelly/A. Kierans (VW Polo R5)+41.3s 8. D. Boyle/P. Walsh (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+44.9s 9. M. Boyle/D. McCafferty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+53.7s 10. K. Eves/C. Melly (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 26.8s.
Irish Examiner
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Armstrong and Byrne secure podium finish in Poland
With an impressive performance, Kesh driver Jon Armstrong and his Bruckless co-driver Shane Byrne took the final podium spot in the ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland that marked the midpoint in the eight-round European Rally Championship. Onboard their Pirelli-shod M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2, they were second fastest on the Power Stage to claim an additional four championship points, and with a total haul of twenty-five championship points, Armstrong has moved into sixth in the series. It was his second ERC podium (he was second on this event last year when it was a tarmac rally) and his first podium with co-driver Byrne. The event was won by Estonians Martin Sesks/Renars Francis (Skoda Fabia Rally2), who finished a minute and 6.3s ahead of the similar car of ERC leaders and local heroes Mikolaj Marczyk/Szyman Gospodarczyk. Armstrong/Byrne were 9.5s further behind in third having been penalised 10s for what was termed "chicane destruction." Ninth in Friday night's super special at the Mikolajki Arena, Armstrong was only 2.1s off the lead and was up to sixth on Saturday morning's opening 16.3km stage and held the spot through the day's first loop of three stages. He posted his best time (third fastest) on SS4 - just 1.8s behind the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 of stage winner and rally leader Martin Sesks. Quickly into the groove, Sesks snatched the lead from home hero Miko Marczyk on SS2 to open up a 9.3s lead over the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 of Roope Korhonen. However, on the very next stage, Sesks made a braking error on a fast right-hand corner that resulted in his Skoda having a brief off road excursion and losing its front bumper. The indiscretion allowed Korhonen trim the deficit to 1.5s. Unaware that he had actually lost the bumper, Sesks then established a 5.6s advantage over Korhonen with Marczyk third - 8.6s off top spot. On the repeat stages, Armstrong was in fine form, another third fastest stage time - on SS6, he leapfrogged Mads Ostberg into fifth, and with his third top three stage time (on SS7) he snatched fourth from Isak Reiersen. At the stage finish, he said: "It didn't rut as much, but I messed up the hairpin at the end. We were supposed to come out of it in second (gear) and we came out in fourth gear for some reason." Overnight, Armstrong was 8.7s behind Marczyk. Meanwhile, in the Junior ERC category, Cavan's Craig Rahill (Peugeot 208 Rally4) was the top Irish driver, he occupied fourth place - just 3s behind the similar car of Welsh ace Ioan Lloyd. On Sunday's final leg, Armstrong punched in the best time on the day's second stage where pre-event series leader Finland's Roope Korhonen rolled his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 out of second place and the rally. Following the Finnish driver's demise, stage winner Armstrong moved into third after SS10. Then, having closed to within 6.2s of Marczyk on SS11, he incurred a 10s penalty for "deconstructing" a chicane on SS12. He didn't allow it deflect his concentration and was second fastest on the remaining two stages to secure his best result of the year. "My first podium on gravel. Great weekend, Shane (Byrne) and the team did a great job. It's been a bit of a bleak year so far in terms of results, so really happy with this." In the Junior ERC Rahill, who had closed to within 1.8s of Lloyd on SS9 retired a stage later when his Peugeot 208 Rally4 slid wide and broke a driveshaft. In a fluctuating leaderboard where Swedish winner Calle Carlberg (Opel Corsa Rally4) was the only constant, Galway's Aoife Raftery, who began the day in ninth, ended up fourth with Leitrim's Keelan Grogan slipping to eighth, both in Peugeot 208 Rally4's. Belfast's Charlie Eastwood was a member of the TF Sport team along with Angolan-Portuguese driver Rui Andrade and Tom Van Rompuy (Belgium) that netted third place in the LMGT3 category in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In the LMP2 category, the RLR Msport team (owned by Corkonian Patrick Cullen and included his son Ryan) were twelfth. ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland (Round 4, European Rally Championship) Mikolajki: 1. M. Sesks/R. Francis (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) 1h. 37m. 56.4s; 2. M. Marczyk/S. Gospodarczyk (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+1m. 06.3s; 3. J. Armstrong/S. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 15.8s; 4. I. Reiersen /S. Gustavsson (Skoda Fabia RS)+ 1m. 37.9s; 5. M. Ostberg/G. Bernacchini (Citroen C3 Rally2)+1m. 54.9s; 6. S. Tempestini/I. Simone (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+2m. 34.4s; 7. M. Johansson/J. Gronvall (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+2m. 38.3s; 8. A. Mabellini/V. Lenzi (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+2m. 49.6s; 9. J. Matulka/D. Syty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+3m. 32.2s; 10. K. Bubik/A. Sadowski (Skoda Fabia R5)+4m. 56.7s. European Rally Championship (Positions after Round 4): 1. M. Marczyk 81pts; 2. M. Ostberg 65pts; Roope Korhonen 60pts; Isak Reiersen 60pts; Andrea Mabellini 60pts; 6. Jon Armstrong 46pts; 7. Mille Johansson 41pts.
Belfast Telegraph
31-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
I can't compete at Donegal while pal Brian Hoy recovers after horror crash, says Kris Meeke
Meeke was due to compete at June's event with the Fermanagh navigator in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 – the same car he has so far dominated the 2025 Portuguese Rally Championship in, winning three of the opening four rounds. Hoy is currently recovering from an accident that happened on the Cavan Stages Rally; he was sitting alongside Garry Jennings when their Ford Fiesta Rally2 went off the road and hit a tree. Jennings said the cause of the crash was due to the supermini getting out of shape over a small jump. Thanks to the quick thinking of fellow competitors Cathan McCourt and Barry McNulty and Declan Boyle and Patrick McCrudden, he said they both owed their lives to them. Jennings sustained a broken leg, sternum, ribs, shoulder and wrist in the incident, while Hoy has been receiving treatment for a broken leg and arm. As such, former World Rally Championship event winner Meeke has decided to pull his Donegal Rally entry, with the 45-year-old also citing the tragic death of Dai Roberts on the second day of the Duns-based Jim Clark Rally as another reason. Roberts' driving mate James Williams was conveyed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he has since undergone surgery, with his condition said to be stable and the prognosis 'positive'. Posting on social media, Meeke wrote: 'I had hoped to be out on Donegal International Rally this year, and Brian Hoy was due to co-drive. 'Unfortunately, Brian was badly injured last weekend in a rally with Garry Jennings. 'Out of respect to Brian and the tragic events on the Jim Clark Rally, I felt uneasy to search around for a co-driver who I'd no experience with. So, finally we decided to postpone our entry until the future. 'Huge thanks to all who put in the effort to put everything together. Wishing Brian Hoy and Garry Jennings all the strength in their recovery,' added Meeke, whose previous outing on Irish soil came in 2009 at the Midland Stages Rally. Meanwhile, a JustGiving page set up to support the wife and two children of Dai Roberts has so far raised over £126,900. Those behind the idea have said the money will go to cover funeral costs and provide ongoing support.
