EDWARDS CLOSES ON BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP
Four drivers are still in mathematical title contention
Matt Edwards only needs a fourth place on one leg of this weekend’s Wales Rally GB to seal a maiden British Rally Championship title.
The BRC visits Rally GB for the first time in a decade – the last was when Guy Wilks steered his Mitsubishi to the 2008 title – as the series celebrates its 60th anniversary.
While Edwards leads the way, David Bogie, Alex Laffey and Rhys Yates all have a shot at the crown.
Edwards’ M-sport-run Ford Fiesta R5 has won all events in the championship this year, and he is keen to seal the title on home soil. He comes from Conwy, a county which contains many of the stages and the Llandudno finish on this year’s event.
“Alwen and Penmachno are both equal distance from my house and it’s not far,” said Edwards, partnered by Darren Garrod. “Penmachno is my favourite local stage so it would be nice to be sat there as British champion on Friday afternoon. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it. But there’s a lot of work to do before that happens.”
Edwards said he wouldn’t attempt to change his approach for the event, as it has worked perfectly so far this year.
“I’m not really thinking about anything other than the first 100kms [65 miles] and getting those out of the way,” he added.
“I’m not going to drive any differently to any other rally this year. It’s been risk averse, and not taking chances. It seems to be quick and fairly reliable. So hopefully more of the same. I’m not going to change the formula because there’s a massive goal to achieve at the end of it.”
CA1 Sport Skoda Fabia driver and 2011 champion Bogie is second, and has a slim chance but has to rely on Edwards hitting trouble. There are six R5s entered with Edwards needing fourth on only one leg.
“With the advantage Matt has he would either have to retire or encounter problems for us to capitalise,” said Bogie. “We will be targeting two wins during the double header. Everything else will take care of itself.
“There is a small chance that we can win the 2018 BRC and as long as that remains the case we will push as hard as we can.”