Ingram Claims Debut BRC Victory for Toyota Rally2

Chris Ingram and Alex Kihurani secured a well-earned victory on the 2024 Voyonic Grampian Forest Rally [August 9-10] after a memorable battle in the Scottish forests.

The Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 pairing beat Osian Pryce/Rhodri Evans by nine seconds with 2022 Grampian winners Keith Cronin/Mikie Galvin finishing third, both crews in a Fiesta Rally2.

This year’s Grampian was the biggest in years with the addition of two special stages on Friday evening before the usual rally action on Saturday. That presented competitors with nine stages and 57 competitive miles on some of the fastest and most challenging roads in the country in the Durris, Drumtochty and Fetteresso forests.

The Probite British Rally Championship’s return to Banchory attracted the rally’s most impressive ever entry list with World, European and British champions all in action, generating enough fanfare to prompt the organisers to add a ‘rally zone’ to the itinerary – bringing spectators closer to the stars and cars.

Thousands turned up to meet their heroes and learn more about the sport of rallying, bringing motorsport to the masses with live interviews and podium celebrations on Saturday evening.

Event winner Chris Ingram was super-impressed with what he saw.

“This has been one of the most difficult yet enjoyable rallies I’ve done in the country,” Ingram, the 2019 FIA European Rally champion, said.

“Fair play to Osian and William [Creighton], they had some strong pace. These stages were really great to drive and it was fantastic to see so many people supporting the event.”

As Ingram ran first on the road, sweeping the loose gravel, M-Sport WRC2 driver William Creighton was the fastest man on the opening test, but it was 2022 British Champion Pryce who held the overnight lead on Friday.

After a drama filled Stage 5, Ingram took the lead by 20 seconds and controlled his pace until the finish to record a first ever victory for the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 in the British Rally Championship.

The result puts Ingram and Alex Kihurani back in the driving seat in the British Rally Championship title race with three rounds remaining.

Television highlights of all the action will be broadcast on ITV4 at 8pm on Wednesday August 21, and then available to catch-up on ITVX thereafter.

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