Creighton up for European exploits

William Creighton is the latest Motorsport Ireland driver to enter the European Rally Championship’s Rally di Roma Capitale at the end of July. Creighton has registered for ERC3 Junior Championship points on the later than usual season opener.

The Northern Irishman had intended to focus on the Junior British Rally Championship this year, and the experienced front-wheel-drive competitor’s title push got off to the perfect start when he won the JBRC’s first round in February. The coronavirus pandemic halted the BRC’s remaining rounds so Rally di Roma offers a good opportunity for Creighton to reignite his season.

“At the start of the year our plan was 100 per cent the Junior BRC,” said Creighton. “It was a good start but then everything stopped due to COVID-19, unfortunately. But we’ve had a good break and now we’re busting to get back at it. Rome is an opportunity and an adventure. We’ve entered the ERC Junior Championship and the ERC is obviously up there with the world championship, but it’s hard to know what to expect until I see the entry list.”

Creighton made the switch from a Peugeot 208 R2 to M-Sport’s latest Ford Fiesta R2T this year. Italy’s ERC round will be his third rally in the car having managed to complete the Mayo Stages Rally before coronavirus started to hit the rallying calendar.

“I suppose being from Ireland means driving well on tarmac is no problem, but Rome will be quite different I’m sure to what we have over here,” Creighton explained. “We were always in the 208 [on asphalt] and we’ve only done a little bit of mileage in the Fiesta on tarmac so it will take a bit of time to get bedded in. This is definitely going to be a new experience for us.”

Creighton, who will be co-driven by Irishman Liam Regan, is one of number of rising talents contesting the Pirelli-supported ERC3 Junior category on Rally di Roma Capitale. Rallye Team Spain’s Pep Bassas, Amaury Molle from Belgium, Austrian Nikolai Landa and Sweden’s Dennis Rådström are among the ERC3 Junior contingent announced so far for the all-asphalt event.

Photo provided by British Rally Championship