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Welshman Matt Edwards believes it is anyone’s guess which Rally2 driver will emerge victorious when a full field gathers in Newry this weekend for the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally.
Edwards hailing from the coastal town of Llandudno is a two-time winner of this closed-road event, which hosts the penultimate round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
His triumphs came during his successful campaigns in the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship, a series he dominated on three occasions, with his most recent title secured in 2021 after a season-long battle with fellow countryman, Osian Pryce.
Once again, Edwards is in the mix for silverware, with a win on Easter’s Circuit of Ireland and podium finishes in Killarney and Donegal keeping him in the hunt for the Irish Tarmac title. However, with February’s Galway International ending in retirement and counting as one of his allowed drop scores, the pressure is on Edwards to deliver a strong result.
“It’s hard to predict,” Edwards said when asked if his previous victories on the Ulster stages make him a favourite. “That was a while ago now. I think there are five or six of us all needing a good result on this rally, and everyone is still working to find time in their cars and drive at a competitive pace, so picking a clear favourite is very difficult.
“However, having a general feel for the Newry area, even if the stages aren’t identical, definitely helps. I don’t think much of the route is the same as 2021, but based on past results, I’d say I’m comfortable with the technical nature of the roads here and enjoy the challenge they present. The roads are slower on average compared to Donegal, for example, but that played to our strengths on the Circuit this year, so that’s a good sign for us.”
In some ways, the situation Edwards faces this Saturday mirrors 2021, and although a win won’t guarantee him the crown before the Cork ‘20’ International, it will be a big step forward. “It gives us a clear objective,” he admits. “It was good to be able to prepare properly for that in 2021 and deliver when it counted, so I’ll be drawing on that experience again for this one.
“The pace will be intense from the first mile, as it has been in every other round of the Irish Tarmac Championship. Dave [Moynihan, co-driver] and I have been quick off the mark in the last few rallies, with more seat time and growing familiarity with the Ford Fiesta Rally2, so we should be in the mix come the end of the Ulster.”
Further details on spectator viewing points, along with a time and distance schedule and seeded entry list for the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally, are available on the official event website www.ulsterrally.com
