The final round of the Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship will see a nail-biting battle for the 2023 crown in the Kielder Forest, as the Carlisle Stages Rally [20/21 October] hosts the race for the title between Roger Chilman and Nick Elliott.
After six action-packed rounds of the championship, the seventh and deciding encounter will see the champion crowned outside Kielder Castle on Saturday afternoon, and it will all come down to the final eight stages of the season.
In the pound seat is the Ford Escort MKII pairing of Chilman and co-driver Patrick Walsh after a blistering start to their season saw them take back-to-back victories on rounds one and two. However, it’s been a shaky mid-season and a Woodpecker rally win saw them remain in contention thanks to three maximum scores.
In contrast, Elliot and Dave Price have thumped in consistent top-line scores all season long in their FIAT 131 Abarth. But a win has eluded them so far in 2023, only their three runners-up results have kept them in the title fight heading into the decider.
However, that elusive win will be key to their chances of lifting the crown, as the connotations are clear. Elliott must take a maximum BHRC score to have a chance of taking the title and even if he does, if Chilman finishes fourth or higher, it swings the way of the Escort driver.
If Elliott doesn’t win, regardless of Chilman’s finishing position, the championship goes back to Hereford with Chilman and Walsh, plus they will also seal the Category Three [cars registered between 1975 -1981] honours.
Elsewhere Kris Meeke will contest the Carlisle Stages on 20/21 October as part of his build up for the Roger Albert Clark Rally in late November.
Meeke joins a fine entry for the Carlisle Stages, which is the final round of both the Fuchs British Historic Rally Championship and the SRC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship.
Both championships will be decided on the event and the response to the Carlisle Stages has been superb with an entry of 95 cars to date and more expected.
