William Creighton and co-driver Liam Regan have added the Probite British Rally Championship title to their growing list of accolades, sealing the crown at the Lewis and Hunter Cambrian Rally [25 October] after an edge-of-the-seat finale across the legendary gravel stages of North Wales.
While the title went Creighton’s way, it was Max McRae who stole the show in Llandudno, claiming his maiden BRC victory and etching another chapter into the family legacy. The young Scot, co-driven by Cammy Fair, powered his MRF Tyres-backed Škoda Fabia Rally2 to the top step of the podium — the first McRae to do so in 27 years, following in the wheel tracks of his father Alister and grandfather Jimmy.
McRae’s dramatic triumph came after a day-long duel with Estonian pairing Romet Jürgenson and Siim Oja, with the result decided on the final stage. Meirion Evans and Dale Furniss completed the podium in their Pirelli-equipped Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, rounding off their season in fine style.
Creighton Clinches the Crown
After a season of intense battles, the fight for British rallying’s most prestigious title went right to the wire. Creighton, driving his Michelin-shod Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, delivered a mature and disciplined performance to secure the championship, finishing fourth overall after a measured drive through the demanding Brenig, Clocaenog and Alwen stages.
The Northern Irishman arrived in North Wales with a narrow points advantage and knew a steady, trouble-free run would be enough to bring home the silverware. Drawing on experience from his Junior BRC and FIA Junior WRC title-winning campaigns, Creighton kept his cool under pressure, managing both the pace and the risk across the tricky, rain-soaked gravel.
Sitting second at midday service, Creighton focused on protecting his position through the afternoon stages, keeping championship rivals Jürgenson and Evans in check. Crossing the final finish line in fourth place was enough to secure the title — placing his and Regan’s names alongside rally legends like Colin McRae, Richard Burns, and Ari Vatanen on the BRC trophy.
“What an amazing year,” said a visibly emotional Creighton at the finish.
“This season has been the first with the Yaris, the first time with Melvyn Evans Motorsport, in that iconic Castrol livery — it’s been fantastic. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get here, and I have to thank everyone involved, especially Liam, who’s been brilliant all year.
We’ve been through Junior BRC, Junior WRC, and now this — it’s very special. Even missing a round, we’ve managed to win the championship. It feels great.”
McRae’s Breakthrough Win
The battle for rally victory was fierce from the outset. McRae and Jürgenson traded stage wins throughout the day, with Evans never far behind. McRae made his intentions clear early on, taking a six-second lead on the opening Clocaenog test, before Jürgenson clawed back 0.7 seconds on the following stage. Evans, meanwhile, impressed on Alwen, setting the fastest time to move into third by the time cars returned to service.
The final loop set up a grandstand finish. Jürgenson briefly seized the rally lead before McRae launched a blistering final-stage attack — stopping the clocks nine seconds quicker than his rival to snatch victory in spectacular style.
“Wow, that’s great,” exclaimed a stunned McRae at the finish.
“That’s pretty cool — I wasn’t expecting that. I was a bit down after the last stage and didn’t push super hard in that one, just kept it tidy. I don’t know how we did that time, I’m lost for words. We’ve shown our pace, and to win like this… I don’t know what to say.”
The result secured McRae and Fair’s first BRC win — and the first for both the Škoda Fabia Rally2 and MRF Tyres in the championship.
Jürgenson Shines, Evans Heroic at Home
Despite narrowly missing out on victory, Jürgenson and Oja capped off an impressive debut BRC season. Their pace across 2025 has marked the Estonian duo as stars in the making, with Jürgenson’s runner-up finish confirming his place as championship vice-champion — a remarkable feat for a driver who only began rallying three years ago.
Photography by Denel Media (right) & Dan Knight Automotive Media (left)
Home favourite Evans once again delivered a stellar drive on his local stages, pushing hard in front of an enthusiastic Welsh crowd. Although his title hopes depended on a non-finish from Creighton, third overall provided a fitting end to another strong season for the Castrol MEM Toyota driver.
Photography by Denel Media (right) & Dan Knight Automotive Media (left)
Further down the leaderboard, Garry Pearson and Hannah McKillop rounded out the top five in their M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2, despite a costly puncture robbing them of a potential podium bid.
Proudlock, McBride and Cotton Celebrate Class Titles
In BRC3, Robert Proudlock guided his Ford Fiesta Rally3 to another dominant win, securing the title for co-driver Harry Marchbank. Despite limited competition in the category, Proudlock’s pace has been exemplary — the Scottish driver adapting brilliantly to four-wheel-drive machinery after last year’s Junior BRC success.
The Junior BRC title fight also reached a dramatic climax. Kyle McBride and co-driver Darragh Mullen took the championship honours after a season-long duel with Joseph Kelly and Killian McArdle. Driving their Peugeot 208 Rally4, McBride and Mullen trailed early on but moved ahead when Kelly was delayed behind a slower car in Clocaenog, sealing the championship and earning the £6,000 free-entry prize package for 2026.
“It feels great to get it done — it’s not been an easy year,” said McBride.
“Winning the Junior BRC was our main goal, and we’ve achieved it. Huge thanks to Darragh, he’s been brilliant all year, and fair play to Joe — it’s been a great battle. Thanks to my family, sponsors, and the MI Rally Academy for all their support.”
Their success also earns them the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup prize drive in the 2026 FIA European Rally Championship. Sam Mason and James Seymour capped their campaign with a strong third-place finish.
Meanwhile, the National Rally Title went right down to the wire between Rob Cotton and Chris Richmond-Hand. Cotton came out on top, steering his Subaru Impreza to victory after another confident gravel performance. His four-wheel-drive advantage proved decisive over Hand’s Toyota Starlet, with Cotton ultimately sealing the championship.
With the Open Rally Title already wrapped up, the category win on the Cambrian went to Matt Hirst and Declan Dear in their Škoda Fabia R5, marking their switch to the Open class in style. Alex Vassallo and Ross Whittock took second, while newly crowned Open champions Sam Touzel and Tommi Henderson impressed on their gravel debut with third.
As the curtain falls on a thrilling 2025 Probite British Rally Championship season, attention now turns to 2026 — with the new calendar set to be revealed in the coming weeks.
