The 2025 Probite British Rally Championship charges into Scotland for round three of the season this weekend [23-24 May] as the legendary Borders Competitions Jim Clark Rally takes centre stage at the halfway point of the season.
One of the longest-running and most revered events on the BRC calendar, the Jim Clark serves as a true test of the series, with the closed-public roads around the Duns rally base offering a breathtaking mix of high-speed action coupled with the technical challenges of narrow country lanes.
Hailed as some of the UK’s most demanding asphalt stages, rallying legends and modern heroes have tackled the treacherous lanes over the decades and in 2025, the challenge is increased with around 100 competitive miles spread over two days. A mix of new tests and nostalgic favourites that have defined the rally’s character are in store.
As the championship reaches its halfway point, the title race begins to take shape – but not without a major shakeup and a dramatic shift to the leaderboard, likely after the weekend in Scotland.
Current points leader William Creighton will miss the Jim Clark due to family commitments, while fellow title favourite Keith Cronin announced that he is taking a sabbatical from rallying.
That leaves M-Sport ace Romet Jürgenson perfectly placed to capitalise. The FIA Rally Star and Junior WRC champion stormed to a commanding victory at the Carlisle Stages in Kielder and now carries the momentum, and possibly the championship lead, into the Jim Clark aboard his Ford Fiesta Rally2. Jürgenson and co-driver Siim Oja’s performance could prove pivotal in the title fight.
Behind Jürgenson on the road, the battle will intensify. James Williams and a returning Dai Roberts in the co-driver’s seat will look to return to strong form in their Hyundai i20 N Rally2 after a difficult Carlisle for the rapid Welshman, although Williams’ opening round podium on asphalt signifies his sealed surface pace.
Callum Black and Jack Morton find themselves in a strong 4th spot in the championship standings in their Fiesta Rally2 and traditionally go well in the Borders lanes, but will have Meirion Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) hot on their heels and fresh from an impressive second overall at the non-championship Rally of the Lakes. Evans and co-driver Dale Furniss sit just a handful of points shy.
The Jim Clark roads require respect, and hometown hero Garry Pearson knows how to treat them. Having scored a podium on the rally last year on familiar soil, he will be one to watch, and along with co-driver Hannah McKillop, the pairing is fresh from a third overall at Carlisle in their Fiesta Rally2.
After a strong showing in the FIA European Rally Championship in Hungary, Citroen C3 Rally2 driver Max McRae has his eyes on his first BRC finish of the season after a challenging start. Several top times have proved his and Cammy Fair’s pace, but now the pair are looking to grab vital points for their challenge.
Other challengers outside the top ten include Neil Roskell/Robb Fagg [Fiesta Rally2], Elliot Payne/ Patrick Walsh [Fiesta Rally2], Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear [Skoda Fabia Rally2] and Jason Pritchard/Phil Clarke [Toyota GR Yaris Rally2]. Jonny Greer/Niall Burns [Toyota Yaris GR Rally2] are also set to make their first BRC appearance of the season.
In BRC3, Robert Proudlock and Dan James continue their learning curve in the Fiesta Rally3, while in BRC4, Meghan O’Kane and Nikki Addison hope to replicate their dominance at the top of the leaderboard in their Fiesta R2.
Kyle McBride and Darragh Mullen took round one spoils but suffered a brutal end to their Carlisle in the Peugeot 208 Rally4, which left Joe Kelly and James McBrearty to maximise and grab a maximum score in their 208 example.
However, the likes of Kalum Graffin and Mark McGeehan are building their score with every passing event, and the only contender to finish both rounds in their Peugeot.
Sam Mason and James Seymour hope to make the start after engine issues last time out. Jack Brennan and Eoghan Doherty will also be in the mix as the Juniors get their second full asphalt test of the year.
