On October 26th, Welsh duo Ioan Lloyd and Sion Williams secured the first-ever Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK title with a brilliant performance at the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally. The victory capped off a remarkable season, clinching not only the championship but also a coveted prize drive in the FIA Junior European Rally Championship.
The final round, held on the legendary rally stages of North Wales, set the scene for a tense battle. Three crews entered the event with a chance to claim the crown, making the stakes higher than ever. Lloyd and Williams, driving their Peugeot 208 Rally4 on familiar home roads, held a points lead going into the showdown. However, rapid Irish rivals Kyle McBride/Darragh Mullen and Keelan Grogan/Ayrton Sherlock, both previous winners this season, were waiting to capitalise on any mistake.
The Cambrian Rally offered no easy route to victory, with seven grueling stages covering 58 competitive miles (98km). Drivers tackled iconic Wales Rally GB classics, including Elsi, Alwen, Brenig, and the demanding 15-mile (24.9km) Clocaenog test—a true test of skill and endurance.
McBride and Grogan duel for the kead
From the opening stage, it was clear that McBride and Grogan were locked in a battle for victory. Both needed to win to have any realistic chance of denying Lloyd the championship title.
McBride grabbed an early advantage after SS1, but Grogan responded on the challenging Clocaenog test, setting a blistering pace that catapulted him into the lead. By the time they reached the first service stop, Grogan had built a 25-second advantage, helped in part by a minor incident for McBride. A heavy landing over a jump cost McBride his bumper and sapped power from his Peugeot, giving Grogan the upper hand.
However, fortune didn’t favour Grogan for long. On the second pass of Clocaenog, disaster struck. Mechanical problems forced Grogan to retire, parking his car and watching his title hopes slip away. With Grogan out of contention, McBride secured his third Stellantis Rally Cup victory of the season—his second consecutive win. But the ultimate prize was heading in a different direction.
Lloyd keeps his cool to claim the championship
Lloyd and Williams knew that a solid finish was all they needed to claim the championship. Yet on stages as treacherous as the Cambrian’s, simply staying on the road was a challenge. But Lloyd remained composed under pressure, avoiding mistakes and delivering a measured performance.
At the finish, the Welsh pair’s second-place finish was more than enough to crown them the inaugural Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK champions. Lloyd’s consistency throughout the season, including three wins earlier in the year, paid off when it mattered most.
A dream realised: Lloyd reflects on his victory
Lloyd was ecstatic as he reflected on his championship win:
“How good does that sound? Absolutely class, I’m delighted. It’s a dream come true, so thanks to everyone involved. It’s been a tough day at the office, but I can’t thank my family enough. It’s a massive effort, but bring on next year! Thanks to Race & Rally for organising a championship like this. One-make championships are hugely important for young drivers like myself to prove our potential—it’s been an amazing season with huge battles on every round.”
Looking ahead to the FIA Junior ERC
In addition to securing the overall title, Lloyd also claimed the Junior Championship title. With that victory comes an exciting opportunity: Lloyd will now receive registration to the 2025 FIA Junior European Rally Championship, entry fees for six rounds, and 12 tyres per round, courtesy of Michelin Motorsport—a prize package worth nearly €40,000.
A championship built for future champions
The 2024 Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup, promoted by Race & Rally, introduced a competitive platform for drivers using Peugeot 208 Rally4 and Opel Corsa Rally4 machinery. The championship spanned eight high-level events across Ireland and the UK, with an enticing €6,000 cash pot per event and support from partners including Michelin Motorsport, Protyre Motorsport Ireland, and LP Tent.
With its emphasis on affordability and opportunity, the Stellantis Cup is already proving to be an invaluable stepping stone for young talent like Lloyd. As the first champions of the series, Lloyd and Williams have set the bar high—and with the Junior ERC now on the horizon, their journey is only just beginning.
The Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally may have drawn the curtain on this season’s Stellantis Cup, but for Ioan Lloyd and Sion Williams, the real adventure starts now. Next stop: Europe.
