Forming the penultimate round of the all-action title chase from 5 – 7 September, JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion provides a spectacular Tarmac test for the ERC season regulars and their counterparts from the Probite British Rally Championship.
In the race to become ERC champion for 2025, Michelin-equipped top seed Miko Marczyk heads Andrea Mabellini by 11 points. But when dropped scores are factored in, Marczyk trails Mabellini by two points, due to the Pole having to discount 13 points from his current total, and Mabellini having zero points to drop following a non-finish earlier in the year.
If Mabellini non-scores in Wales, second place and one Power Stage point would make Marczyk champion. But if the Pole fully falters by not scoring, Mabellini would become Italy’s first outright ERC title winner since Luca Rossetti in 2011, providing he finishes first and takes the maximum five Power Stage points on offer.
Jon Armstrong will push for a maiden ERC victory. The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver, who has an outside chance of snatching European championship glory, is entered ahead of Polish talent Jakub Matulka, the ERC3 winner on JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion last season, and Hankook-shod Master ERC contender Martin Vlček from Czech Republic.
William Creighton/Liam Regan head to Wales at the top of the standings. But teammates Meririon Evans/Dale Furniss are in hot pursuit. As it stands, Callum Black, Romet Jurgenson and Garry Pearson still have mathematical chances at the title, but should the stars align for the Toyota team, the crown could be lifted early.
To become British Rally Champion in Ceredigion: If Creighton wins and Evans finishes lower than second, Creighton will be the champion If Creighton is second, Evans must finish higher than fourth to take the fight to the final round
If Evans finishes and Creighton does not score, Evans will be the champion There are many more permutations of course, but the headlines show just how finely poised it is.
Max McRae, nephew of rallying legend Colin McRae, claimed the ERC4 and Junior ERC honours in Wales 12 months ago. He’s in his first year of ERC1 competition following two seasons in Junior ERC.
ERC stage winner Philip Allen, double Irish Tarmac champion Callum Devine (Team MRF Tyres), will also be in action, as will two-time Rali Ceredigion winner Osian Pryce and 2024 Junior WRC champion Romet Jürgenson.
