It could be grizzly in Grizedale !

The Reis Motorsport Insurance Motorsport UK English Rally Championship wraps up on 7th December with the popular Coppermines Lakes Cottages Grizedale Stages Rally. This year’s event features a compact yet challenging route with six stages spanning 43 miles, across some of the most impressive gravel roads in the UK. Organisers are hoping for clearer weather compared to last year’s heavy snow, ensuring an exciting conclusion to the championship.

The Championship Battle

Championship leader Elliot Payne has put his Fiesta Rally2 up for sale and will skip the event to keep the car pristine, leaving his position at the top of the standings in jeopardy.

Hot on his heels are Nigel and Kaz Jenkins in their trusty Vauxhall Nova. Currently sitting third in the standings, the duo can clinch the title with a strong performance at Grizedale. After a challenging Woodpecker Stages rally in September, they’ll be aiming to secure maximum points this time.

Another crew to watch is Lewis Hooper and Rhys Edwards in their Ford Fiesta R2. Despite a rocky start to the season, they’ve already claimed the BTRDA Rallye R2 Cup and could leap into a podium position in the championship with a strong result, as they have a crucial score in hand.

Fierce Class Battles

In Class E2, the Jenkins will face competition from Ashley Francis-Adams and Dylan Fowler-Bishop, teaming up in a Nissan Micra for the season finale. The class winner is already decided, but this duo will be eager to leave their mark.

Meanwhile, Class E3 promises an exciting showdown between current leaders Michael Jenkins and Jordan Joines in their Ford Fiesta and the ever-threatening Hooper/Edwards pairing. With only a slim margin between them, this one could go down to the wire.

Other Contenders

Liam Clark, enjoying a successful first season in his Fiesta Rally2, currently sits seventh overall but has the potential to climb higher with a solid drive. Also lining up is Will Graham in the Escort RS1600 that brought his father, Ernie, the 2023 ERC title. Ernie himself will join the action in his Mitsubishi Lancer EVOX, adding an extra dash of family rivalry.

As the drivers prepare for the iconic Lake District stages, fans can expect an action-packed day to crown the 2024 English Rally Champion. Will Payne hold on to his lead, or will one of the hungry challengers snatch victory?