Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver William Creighton will tackle a third season of the prestigious FIA Junior World Rally Championship in 2023, with his sights set firmly on a top result.
Creighton, 25 from Moira in Co.Armagh has enjoyed a confidence-boosting two years in the top-level series, adapting quickly to the change to Rally3 machinery at the start of 2022, heralding the full-time switch to four-wheel drive.
After honing his skills in the Junior WRC in 2021, Creighton was able to deliver rally winning pace during his 2022 campaign, with several fastest times and podium results during the season.
With co-driver Liam Regan alongside, the progressive youngster will embark on the five-round series which enjoys a familiar look to the previous season, kicking off with Rally Sweden in February, and Creighton is eager to get his assault on the championship underway.
“It’s extremely exciting and a huge privilege to return to the Junior World Rally Championship in 2023,” he says.
“It’s one of the most competitive motorsport series in the world and it offers the opportunity to go head-to-head with some of the fastest junior drivers at the moment. The whole season is always ultra-close and this year I`ll have the benefit of a full campaign in the Fiesta Rally3 behind me which should stand me in good stead for a top result this time around”.
Last year, Creighton got his campaign off to an impressive start, securing third place through the high snowbanks of Sweden. Fifth in Croatia and Estonia highlighted the tough nature of the series, but another podium came at Rally Greece, the final round of the season to see him finish fifth in the standings.
With just one new round this season, Rally Sardinia in June, Creighton is aiming to hit the ground running thanks to his time behind the wheel on the world tour. Non-championship outings in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2 in 2022 as part of his Junior British Rally Championship prize, and the upcoming Rallye Monte Carlo in the same machine will boost his competitive miles, ensuring his Rally Sweden preparations are as polished as possible.
He will be fighting for one of the most sought-after prizes in rallying which will see the winner of the Junior WRC secure four, fully funded prize drives in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2 coupled with a test programme, tyre package and free entries. Creighton is relishing the challenge ahead.
“Of course, the experience from the last two years will certainly be an advantage, I can’t take anything for granted, it’s still going to be the toughest season I`ve done so far. I can head into 2023 with real confidence but it’s still going to be a huge challenge. I have been working very hard with the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy to prepare for what is to come and it’s a real honour to have their support and represent them on the world’s stage once again this season.”
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