By Paul Evans
Ioan Lloyd will contest the new Stellantis Cup this season in his Peugeot 208 Rally 4 and chase a prize that could help him graduate to the FIA Junior European Rally Championship in 2025.
Co-driven by Sion Williams, the 21-year old from Llandysul will compete in the eight-round championship, which takes in three rallies in Wales, one in Scotland and four in Ireland.
As well as prize money on each event, Lloyd is targeting a £40,000 package of support for 2025, including entry fees to six rounds of the Junior ERC and 12 tyres per round.
It's been a tough debut season in the Junior British Rally Championship for Ioan Lloyd & Sion Williams.
They were on course to round out their campaign in style at the Cambrian; but it didn't quite go to plan.
Next year boys? 🧐🤔
Full review:https://t.co/sQHFKX4hqA#BRC pic.twitter.com/r1RdXeqdqW
— British Rally Championship (@BRCrally) November 16, 2022
Stepping up to European level competition has been Lloyd’s ambition since he started rallying and this could just prove to be his big break in the sport.
“The Stellantis Cup has a schedule of fantastic rallies and the bonus money on each event as well as the overall funding for the 2025 European Championship make it the championship to do,” says Lloyd.
“Our goal will be to compete at the front and have the consistency and speed needed to fight for the overall award.
“We’ll be up against drivers in equal cars and the competition will be massive, so it will be a challenge but we are relishing the opportunity to compete in such an exciting championship.”
Ioan started competing when he was just 14 in the Junior 1000 Rally Championship and has since progressed to become one of the UK’s leading young drivers in the Rally4 category.
His experience on both asphalt and gravel rallies should make him one of the leading contenders for the Stellantis Cup, which starts in Ireland this weekend with the West Cork Rally (15-17 March).
The eight event calendar also includes his local Rali Ceredigion, which runs on August 31-September 1 and is based in Aberystwyth.
Lloyd is proud to be supported by West Wales Rally Spares, David Byrne Auto Repairs of Wexford, Abba Tree Specialist, Motordrive Seats, Towy Electrical Co Ltd, Atech Racing, Garej Tyn y Pistyll, Monit Motorsport, Mintex, the 2300 Club John Easson Award, Kielder WT, Safety Devices International, TRS Safety Harnesses, Bleddyn Thomas Contracting, Pro Dent and Rick’s Body Shop.
Debut Junior British Rally Championship Will Be Like A School Year Says Ioan Lloyd
2024 Stellantis Cup calendar
26 OctoberVisit Conwy Cambrian Rally (Wales)
| 15-17 March | West Cork Rally (Ireland) |
| 13 April | Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages (Wales) |
| 4-5 May | Killarney Rally of the Lakes (Ireland) |
| 21-23 June | Donegal Rally (Ireland) |
| 9-10 August | Voyonic Grampian Forest Rally (Scotland) |
| 31 Aug-1 Sept | JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion (Wales) |
| 29 September | Cork 20 Rally (Ireland) |