JUNIOR STAR KELLY SHINES ON R5 BRC SHOWING
Irish youngster Eamonn Kelly gave a fine account of himself on his debut in the top division of the British Rally Championship during the Cambrian Rally.
Having won the Junior BRC title in his Ford Fiesta Rally4, 23-year old Kelly stepped up to drive the Volkswagen Polo R5 normally campaigned by his father Donagh in Ireland. The plan is for him to contest next year’s BRC in the Polo.
The Dublin-based driver, originally from Donegal, was driving the Polo on gravel for the first time following a brief test in the run up to the Welsh event. However, he had previously driven the Polo on three Tarmac events back home in Ireland.
Kelly said: “I’s a steep learning curve, but there was no big pressure or expectation for this event. We’ve taken a step by step process. It’s a huge opportunity and I’m so lucky to get it. This is preparation for 2023.”
His prize for winning the JBRC is a supported drive in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2 on a WRC round in 2023 so having R5 experience could well be a valuable asset heading into next year.
“If you can get to about
99% in a Rally4, you’ve got a better chance when you step up to one of these,” he added of the Polo R5.