Welshman Matt Edwards says it is anyone’s guess which Rally2 driver is going to come out on top when a capacity field assembles in Newry this weekend for the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally.
Edwards — who heralds from the seaside town of Llandudno — is a double winner of the closed-road competition which hosts the penultimate round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
Success came when he was at the pointy end of the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship — a competition he went on to dominate on three occasions, with his most recent title coming in 2021 when he prevailed at the end of a season-long battle with his compatriot, Osian Pryce.
Once again, Edwards is in contention to lift a trophy, with a win on Easter’s Circuit of Ireland and top-three finishes in Killarney and Donegal keeping him in Irish Tarmac title contention.
However, with February’s Galway International ending in retirement and therefore counting as one of his permitted drop scores, the pressure is very much on Edwards to score strongly.
“It is hard to say,” was Edward’s response when asked if his previous victories on the Ulster lanes makes him a favourite.
“That was some time ago now. I think there are five or six of us needing a good result and everyone is still trying to find seat time in their cars and driving at competitive speeds, so picking a clear favourite is very hard.
“However, I think having a general feel for the geography of the Newry area, even if the stages are not the same, does help.
“I don’t think there is much, if anything, identical to the route of 2021, but going by past results, I would say I am comfortable on the technical nature of the roads in the area and enjoy the challenge they bring.
“They’re slower in terms of average speed to Donegal, for instance, but that suited us on the Circuit this year, so that bodes well for us.”
In some ways, the scenario Edwards faces this Saturday is similar to 2021 and although a win will not guarantee him the crown before the Cork ‘20’ International, it will go a long way.
“It gives us a simple goal,” he admitted.
“It was nice to be able to prepare appropriately for that in 2021 and deliver when it mattered, so I will be calling on that experience again for this one.
“The pace is going to be hot from the first mile, as has been the way on every other round of the Irish Tarmac Championship.
“Myself and Dave [Moynihan co-driver] have been quick out the blocks on each of the last few rallies now, with seat time and my familiarity with the Ford Fiesta Rally2 improving, so we should be there or thereabouts come the end of the Ulster