William Creighton: Junior WRC champion ready to step up to WRC2
- Published
William Creighton will start his WRC2 campaign on the snow covered roads in Sweden
Northern Ireland's William Creighton says he is ready to make the "big leap" to WRC2 - the second tier of the World Rally Championship - in Sweden.
Creighton is stepping up to WRC2 after winning the Junior WRC title last season.
He will drive for M-Sport Ford Fiesta across the season, starting at Rally Sweden from 15-18 February.
"I've no real expectations and I just want to enjoy this one," said Creighton.
Creighton will lead Ford's charge in WRC2 at Rally Sweden as 25 crews tackle the snow-based event.
The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver said: "Of course, it's a big leap from the Fiesta Rally3 that we used last year but some things remain relatively similar, so the last week or so has been all about finding out how to adapt my driving to the Rally2 Fiesta and see how to get the most out of myself and the car in the snow".
The Scandinavian trio of Skoda's Oliver Solberg - son of 2003 WRC champion Petter - Toyota's Sami Pajari and Hyundai's Emil Lindholm will be favourites to take victory.
"There is no doubt that the Fiesta Rally2 is a fantastic car, but Sweden will be all about learning for me," Creighton added.
"The WRC2 category is amazingly strong as it is but then you add the Scandinavians into the mix who drive on this stuff [snow] day in and day out and it becomes tough to fight for positions.
"So, in reality we are looking to just have a clean and consistent run over the course of the rally and put everything into practice that we have learnt with the tests."
Motorsport Ireland's Eamonn Kelly will also start his Junior WRC campaign in an ultra-competitive field of 19 cars.
The World Rally Championship have honoured late Irish driver Craig Breen, who passed away in a testing accident in April 2023 at the age of 33.
A Junior WRC driver will be recognised with the Craig Breen Spirit of rallying Award for their attitude and dedication to the sport.
Breen triumphed in the category in 2011 - known then as the WRC Academy - after a stunning comeback drive at the final round at Rally Wales and the recipient of the award will embody that passion to rallying.
Rally Sweden have also honoured Breen by renaming a stage #42 Brattby.
Breen declared himself the 'Mayor of Brattby' after posting the fastest time on the stage last year on his way to finishing second. The rally was his final WRC event before his passing in April.