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2025 British & Irish Championships

Matt Edwards Statement:

Rallying has undoubtedly had a very dark couple of weeks.

Scotland, Ireland, and latterly Barbados. All incidents have been particularly close to home, both due to the good relations I have with every person involved, and even proximity to the incidents at the time to a degree.

There is also no doubt that the consequences and events i am about to detail pale into total insignificance compared to those that are being dealt with by those directly involved, however I feel it is important to address various rumours about my involvement at the forthcoming Donegal International Rally, for the sake of the stakeholders that have made my involvement in the championship possible, and the wider community.

Following the unthinkable accident in Scotland that shook us all, another serious accident happened involving an immediate family member of my Co Driver, just as I was about to participate in King of the Hill in Barbados. The resulting discussion was totally understandable, respected, and accepted unequivocally.

Following the event I was participating in that Sunday, I reached out to the most feasible co- driver option I had recent experience with; and whilst that was being considered logistically, I informed the insurance of the change of plan as I had been reprimanded for not doing so on the previous occasion earlier this year.

This option was met unfavourably due to "lack of experience", and therefore put a huge doubt im my mind that persuing further avenues to continue with the entry was sensible, logical or justifiable, considering the complexity of this situation, which was more psychological than material. In escence, Id be heading to the rally with someone new.

Come Thursday, with the facts I had, decided it was the sensible but difficult decision to withdraw from the rally and spoke to relevant parties out of respect before it was mentioned publically.

Two further accidents happened on the main event I was competing on in Barbados , one 30s behind us on the road, the other whilst we were on the start line; the latter being one I had almost completely forseen on our recce of the stages given the road conditions.

Some aspects of events that followed that one only really confirmed the decision, and despite some variations in outlook from involved parties in the meantime, particularly given that sometimes matters that affect you may be wholly or partly of your control.

This has been a very difficult decision to make, and I know will be of huge disappointment to many, especially given the time and effort taken to raise all the funds to cover the costs of the season and all the people involved that have helped behind the scenes that this decision effects. However I believe the human reasons behind it sit comfortably with me, and I am grateful for the support I have had from my family for whichever route I chose to take.

What the future holds now at this level im not totally sure, but I am eternally grateful for the support of the Irish Rallying fraternity over the last few years, its certainly made that effort worth while and I have fond memories of the adventure along the way.

I wish Dave and the C&M Motorsport team the very best for the future.

Time for a power cycle...

Matt
 
But in more positive news...

Hayden Paddon is coming to Ireland !!

The reigning European champion will take part in next week's Donegal International Rally, replacing Matt Edwards in the C&M Hyundai i20.
 
Fast Eddie WRC said:
But in more positive news...

Hayden Paddon is coming to Ireland !!

The reigning European champion will take part in next week's Donegal International Rally, replacing Matt Edwards in the C&M Hyundai i20.
Click to expand...

hes doing Ypress too in 28-june. i guess hes staying in europe for a couple of weeks?
theres 2 erc events between today and 6-july, someone find him a car! =P
 
Motor Sport (North West) Limited Announces Postponement of North West Stages Rally Event.

Motor Sport (North West) Limited hereby announce that the next running of the North West Stages rally, originally scheduled for March 2026, has been postponed to a future date, likely March 2027.

This difficult decision was made by the Directors of Motorsport North West after careful consideration. The primary motivation is to ensure that the organising committee has the time, resources, and financial backing required to deliver an event of the highest possible standard—something both competitors and spectators have come to expect from the North West Stages.

In addition, Motor Sport (North West) Limited is committed to working collaboratively with the organisers of the new closed-road rally event in Yorkshire. By moving to a biannual format, both events will be better placed to share valuable volunteer resources and avoid unnecessary strain on the motorsport community.
 
Kind of surprising given this event is pretty well established now. Though not surprising given how out of touch some Herefordian residents can be.

Pretty much every country road in the county is being, or has already been, torn up and repaved his summer so it’s a shame none of them will be used!
 
I just find it utterly depressing; not helped by a biased Councillor causing trouble........

Though, as I've often said, we left the 'closed roads' too late in this country - should have been done 15-20 years ago. Anti-motorsport/ pro green has grown in that period........
 
Very nice to see Will Creighton and Mez Evans on the Nicky Grist Stages.

Mez is still not so fast though and only sitting 3rd after the morning. He really should be getting to grips with the Yaris by now.
 
Fast Eddie WRC said:
Mez is still not so fast though and only sitting 3rd after the morning. He really should be getting to grips with the Yaris by now.
Click to expand...
He performed better (compared with Creighton) in the afternoon loop where the start intervals for the leading 4WD cars was changed to 2 minutes. It would have been difficult to do this for the morning loop because the number of starters would have left little time to clear the stages before the second runs.
He may also not like the heat - it was over 30 degrees where I was between SS3/7 and SS4/8!
 
Steve Boyd said:
He performed better (compared with Creighton) in the afternoon loop where the start intervals for the leading 4WD cars was changed to 2 minutes. It would have been difficult to do this for the morning loop because the number of starters would have left little time to clear the stages before the second runs.
He may also not like the heat - it was over 30 degrees where I was between SS3/7 and SS4/8!
Click to expand...

Yeah I saw he was better on the second loop, but the damage was already done.

Edit:
Maybe I was a bit harsh, reading this which states he had a spin and a puncture. He thinks he's finally learning how to be fast on gravel...

https://britishrallychampionship.co...jWWubRPNhuo9p1buiw_aem_z9SNJr1I6n3aV2grs29WTg

I'll reserve judgement until after the Grampian.
 
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