North Wales driver Gavin Edwards will be making his debut in the British Rally Championship in 2023 and cites the season ahead as one of the biggest challenges of his career.
Edwards will make the switch from his potent Ford Escort MKII to a Vaynol Heating backed Ford Fiesta R5 for his BRC1 campaign, a car once driven by Mads Ostberg.
And despite the largely unknown territory of the BRC and the calendar of the events, it’s a prospect that excites the 40-year-old from Penygroes.
“I’ve always wanted to contest this championship and have been working hard to make it possible,” he says.
“It might be that I’m a bit older,[by the time ive] made it happen, but life begins at forty, right?”
Edwards is not short on experience though, with an impressive back catalogue of results on both asphalt and gravel, albeit in two-wheel drive machinery. As well as several outright single-venue victories, Edwards also hones his skills through the lanes on road rallies. A BTRDA Silver Star title came in 2016, underlining his ability on gravel too.
“I’m really looking forward to a new challenge with no pressure.
“The competition will be extremely good and it’s looking like a good year for the championship. I won’t be focusing too much on the other competitors from my side, to be honest, it’s more important to have a good run ourselves and make the most of the opportunity.
“It’s all new [to me] so I’m facing a few barriers. The new car and the four-wheel drive are new to me but I’m always up for a challenge. I’m really excited to be part of such an iconic championship”
