The dramatic British Rally Championship will take another exciting turn this weekend as the Today’s Ulster Rally hosts the penultimate round of the closely fought series with Welsh drivers Tom Cave and Matt Edwards sharing the lead.

[aoa id=”1″]The narrow, bumpy lanes of Northern Ireland have always played a crucial part in the BRC title race and 2019 will be no different, as Aberdyfi-based Cave and North Wales-based Edwards head to Newry tied on 68 points.

After a ceremonial start on Friday evening, nine stages await the drivers on Saturday. Despite the August calendar date, the changeable weather conditions provide the biggest challenge for the crews as the first half of the stage could be bone dry, while the final section could be covered with lashing rain, making tyre choices and driving style all so important.[/aoa]

2018 Ulster Rally winner and reigning British champion Edwards will travel across the Irish Sea in high hopes after last year’s success and recent BRC win on the Ypres Rally. Along with co-driver Patrick Walsh, the M-Sport pairing will be looking to put their Pirelli-backed Ford Fiesta R5 on the top step to back up their two wins to date so far this season.

Fellow countryman Cave last visited the Ulster Rally in 2016 and will be giving it everything to go toe-to-toe with Edwards on the iconic tarmac. Cave and navigator Dale Bowen are putting together a strong campaign this season with their Philip Case Rally Sport prepared Hyundai i20 R5.

Cave, whose family owns the Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdyfi, has Irish Tarmac form, as the Michelin-supported driver clinched the BRC win on the West Cork Rally back in March. The title race couldn’t be closer and rally fans will be in for a monumental fight between the two title protagonists.