Round 3: Pirelli International Rally, 27-28 April

Former champion Keith Cronin and co-driver Marshall Clarke returned to the top step of the podium on the Pirelli International Rally, while MSA Team UK driver Elfyn Evans took the championship lead in his lower powered R2 car.

Cronin and Clarke crossed the finish line 17.2 seconds ahead of Jarkko Nikara and co-driver Petri Nikara, having swapped the lead with their Autosport Technology team-mates three times. Team UK’s Mark Donnelly took third place ahead of national squad team-mate Evans, who was the first R2 runner home.

At the finish Cronin said: “It’s been a fantastic battle and a win always feels so much better when you have to fight for it. Once we had settled into the new car and tweaked a few things, we had no problems at all, so it’s been a very enjoyable rally and great to win a round of the British Championship again.”

Results1 Keith Cronin / Marshall Clarke (Citroen DS3 R3T) 1h29m51.3s2 Jarkko Nikara / Petri Nikare (Citroen DS3 R3T) +17.2s3 Mark Donnelly / Dai Roberts (Renault Clio R3) +1m50.9s

Championship positions (provisional)after Round 31 Elfyn Evans – 45 points2 Tom Cave – 423 Peter Taylor – 38= Keith Cronin – 385 Mark Donnelly – 36