Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver William Creighton will partner with global automotive lubricants giant Castrol in 2025, driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 in the British Rally Championship.
Along with co-driver Liam Regan, Creighton will return to the series after narrowly missing out on the prestigious BRC title last season, this time joining the Castrol Melvyn Evans Motorsport Rally Team; the very squad who clinched the BRC Teams and drivers title in 2024.
Creighton, 26 years old from Moira has rapidly risen through the rallying ranks, with success on the domestic and international stages over the past few years. After clinching the Junior BRC title in 2021, he stepped up to the international stage, contesting the ultra-competitive Junior WRC and claiming the coveted world title in 2023.
A programme in the WRC2 category of the World Rally Championship was dovetailed with a BRC campaign, taking five podiums from seven rounds, narrowly missing out on the title after a fiercely competitive season.
His performances caught the attention of the Castrol MEM Rally Team, which has now entrusted him with a place in the squad for 2025.
“I’m incredibly excited to join Castrol MEM Rally Team for the 2025 season,” said Creighton.
“The opportunity to compete in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 in the BRC is fantastic and it will be a real honour to be supported by such a global brand as Castrol. Their colours and rally car liveries are known across the world and they have such a rich history in rallying, that goes back decades.
“I can’t wait to contribute to their legacy with strong performances throughout the year and I aim to pick up where I left off in the BRC in 2024. I certainly have unfinished business there and thanks to the support of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, I’m able to return with the knowledge of last season and confidence that I can really fight for it again. It’s a big year, but I can’t wait to get going in Yorkshire in a few weeks time.”
The Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing, is expected to be a formidable contender in the upcoming season, combining cutting-edge technology with Toyota’s renowned reliability. Creighton’s addition to the team reinforces Castrol’s commitment to the sport, and he will join team mate Meirion Evans in a two-car assault on the series.
Donald Smith, Castrol Global Sponsorship Manager, said “We are pleased to welcome William [Creighton] to the Castrol MEM Rally Team for 2025 and join Meirion [Evans] in a very strong Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 driver line-up. We had a great initial season last year and we’re very pleased that we can continue to support both the MEM team and the Probite British Rally Championship. Credit to not only the team but the whole BRC organisation for a strongly promoted and well organised championship, and we look forward to more great events and TV coverage in 2025.”
John Coyne, Patron of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy said: ”We are delighted to support William and Liam once again in their bid to win the BRC title. The sprint format of these events develops the ability to go flat out from the start, a valuable skill for the future.”
The opening round of the Probite British Rally Championship season, the East Riding Stages takes place on 23 February.
