Five former champions, who between them have won 13 driver titles, launch into the 2025 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship battle against an unprecedentedly strong contingent of first-time title aspirants on the East Riding Stages (23 February) – in what promises to be the most open and competitive fight for the BTRDA sealed-surface crown ever.
Callum Black (champion in 2023 and ’24) has entered the opening round of the 2025 series in his Pallas Connections Ford Fiesta Rally2. Together with defending co-drivers’ champion Jack Morton alongside, the 586 Sport driver finished third on the East Riding Stages last year and will be one of the favourites to take home maximum points – although he faces extraordinarily tough competition.
Three-time champion Jason Pritchard (2018, ’19 and ’21) will make his Protyre Asphalt debut in his new North Road Garage Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. He hasn’t rallied a four-wheel drive car since the 2022 Rali Ceredigion (which he contested in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) and only started one rally last year (his local North Road Garage Toyota Showground Stages in an Escort RS1800 Mk2), so he and co-driver Phil Clarke are aiming for a trouble-free run to get some valuable Yaris miles under their belts.
Six-time champion Damian Cole (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14 and ’16) returns in his Get Connected Citroën C3 Rally2. His experience and speed make a powerful combination, as he tackles the opening round co-driven by Rhodri Evans.
The 2022 Protyre Asphalt champion Steve Wood returns in his Sligo Pallets Citroën C3 Rally2. The Aberystwyth driver ended the 2023 East Riding Stages in a ditch, so he and co-driver Kenny Hull will be hoping for a much better start to the series this time.
Few have more experience than the 2007 champion Stephen Simpson, who is back for another crack at the title in his Tudor Glass Fiesta Rally2. He’ll be co-driven by Mark Glennerster.
Last year’s East Riding Stages winners Mark Kelly/Will Atkins will make their event debut in a newly-acquired ex-Meirion Evans Kelmore Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. The Manchester-based driver has rallied a Ford Fiesta R5 and a Škoda Fabia R5 in the series before – winning the Tour of Epynt and Hills Ford rallies, scoring multiple podiums, leading many other events and finishing runner-up in the drivers’ standings in 2021.
Sam Touzel has developed into a rally winner and potential champion in record time and together with co-driver Max Freeman hopes to get his Protyre Asphalt challenge off to a strong start in his Smart Scaffolding/Express Auto Parts Fiesta Rally2.
Brad Cole made his event debut in his Hydroline Solutions Ford Fiesta Rally2 on last year’s Hills Ford Stages, which was his first rally back after breaking his arm when he crashed a 2.5-litre Escort Mk2 on the Manx. The spectacular Somerset driver promises a slightly more cautious approach as he beds himself into his new car – which will come as good news to Trick Motorsport who prepare the car and East Budleigh Garage who run it on events – although expect him and co-driver Jamie Vaughan to be not hanging about too much.
Hugh Brunton has been on a pre-season 15kg weight loss mission and is match fit and raring to go in his Škoda Fabia Rally2. Co-driven by Drew Sturrock, the Arbroath man has been knocking on the door of major rally success for a couple of seasons and has never been better prepared for the start of the championship.
Three-time Protyre Asphalt runner-up Neil Roskell contests the opening round in his ND Civils/Burdens/Witham Motorsport Fiesta Rally2, which has had a recent engine upgrade and a complete refurb. The hugely experienced Rob Fagg will co-drive.
John Stone/Laura Marshall appear in their Legend Fires Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, Roger Duckworth/Alun Cook contest the event in their Technia Fiesta R5 and David White/Paula Hannan come out in their Whites Bakery/Mirage/Sandwich King Fiesta R5.
It’s great to see Roger and Tommi Henderson return in their DKMS We Delete Blood Cancer Fiesta Rally2 after a very nasty accident on last year’s Tour of Epynt. Richard Weatherley/Shaun Layland start their second season together in their EDSL Sport-prepared TCS Micropumps Citroën C3 Rally2, Ryan Burns/Harry Walshaw start in their Bat-Sport/Burnley Motors Fiesta Rally2, Barry Renwick/Paul Hughes appear in a Fiesta R5 and Chris Ford/Neil Colman return in their Citroën C3 Rally2.
In the revamped class structure, Christian Davies/Chris Davies will be battling for class B honours in their 2-litre Fiesta Proto against the likes of Tommy Graham/Mark Pickering (R/S Motors Escort), Jonathan Elliot Jones/Ben Duke (Jones Carpentry & Tiling Fiesta Rally2), Paul Murphy/Richard Robinson (RAC Consultants Mitsubishi Evo 9) and the returning Kyle Casement/Liam McCann (BVS Vehicles/FRM Rally Management Citroën C2).
Former class B13 rally winner and title challengers Huw James/Lewis Sim return in their A&D Tyres Escort Mk2. They’ll be battling for class C title honours this time against the likes of Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt (Jaspers Bakeries Escort Mk2), Gareth Humphreys/Aaron Mallin (Stratos Motorsport Mini Cooper S), Simon Chapman/Peter Foy (Escort Mk2), Tim Phelps (Britpart Escort Mk2) and Jake Smith/Dave Tortoishell (Escort Mk2).
Isle of Man regulars Max Murray/Matty Owen will be aiming for class D success in their BVS Vehicles Citroën DS3 R3T – and will have a tough fight on their hands against the likes of John Cartwright/Richard Armstrong (2.5-litre Cartwrights Escort Mk2) and Charlie Wright/Adam Westerby (Harper Adams University-prepared Fiesta R2).
There is a fantastic battle in store for class E, with the likes of Nathan Evans/Rhys Williams Edwards (Tuned Motorsport UK/The Kitchen Installers Renault Clio 3 RS), George Heighway/Tim Currie (Heighway Ltd/ASM Developments Toyota Corolla), Ant Allery/Richard Bonner (C Salter Demolitions Escort Mk2), Paul Robins/Jordan Wilkinson (Escort Mk2), Adrian Spencer/Mark Hewitt (RED Industries/Adgespeed Subaru Impreza S11 WRC replica) and Mark Rossiter/Robbie Sandford (West Wales Tuning/Scott Williams Motorsport Escort Mk2) going hammer and tongs.
Luke Constantine will attempt to emulate his father Mark by winning a class title in his Constantine Motorsport Opel Adam R2. Co-driven by Ifan Devine, the East Riding Stages will be the 21-year old North Yorkshire driver’s first closed road stage event. He’ll be fighting against the likes of Jonathan Davies/Owen Rowcliffe (Cribyn Garage/Nant y Caws Commercials Peugeot 207) and Alex Kirk-Willey/Sasha Heriot (AKW Installations/Weaver Motorsport Vauxhall Corsa S1600).
Jack Edwards/Russell Thompson (Mold Tyres/Porthmadog Holiday Let Vauxhall Nova) will be battling with William Mains/Emma Clarke (WCS/Speedy Sofas Vauxhall Nova) for maximum class G points, while the Historic classes feature Andrew O’Hanlon/Kevin Hogan (Mini Cooper S), Mike Simpson/Dale Gibbons (H Stowable/Physio Joint Escort RS1800 Mk2) and Gareth Bevan (Freemans Bodyshop Escort).
Action from the East Riding Stages will be streamed live and free-to-view on the Special Stage TV Facebook and YouTube channels.
Organised by Beverley & District Motor Club, this year’s East Riding Stages Rally begins with a ceremonial start in Beverley Market Place, followed by 10 stages / 55 stage miles on closed public roads through the Yorkshire countryside. There will be a super special stage on Beverley Westwood, a FanZone and the finish back at Beverley Market Place. Full spectator information can be found here.
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