Josh McErlean opens up on the challenges he will face in his second crack at the ‘Rally of the Gods'

Belfast Telegraph

3 days ago

McErlean's maiden Rally1 campaign with new team-mate Eoin Treacy continues in Greece at an event that is notorious for its rough and narrow mountain tracks that are not only hard on cars but crews, too, due to the twisting stages limiting natural airflow into the cockpit.
This is only the 25-year-old's second career start at the 'Rally of the Gods', although the experience gained from having to open the road and create a clean line for those following behind him on the second and third days of Rally Italia Sardegna at the start of this month should prove useful in his quest to equal — or better — his best result of 2025 so far — an eighth-place finish at May's Rally de Portugal.
The Kilrea man was handed the indignity of road sweeping duties on the Mediterranean island as punishment for bowing out with suspension damage on only the second speed test and rejoining on the Saturday under Super Rally rules after M-Sport Ford mechanics worked their magic to correct his Puma Rally1.
'Sardinia was unfortunate for us, but at the same time, we were able to gain so much valuable information for the future, and this season is all about building the full toolkit,' said McErlean, who knows solid results between now and the final round in Saudi Arabia will go some way to helping him retain his M-Sport seat with Motorsport Ireland's support.
'Greece is another rally where survival matters because the roads are so abrasive, the temperatures inside the car can hit 50C, and you have got long loops with no mid-day service. You have got to be smart — and even Sunday's final leg is longer than usual at 62 miles — so this is one of those rallies that keep throwing challenges right to the finish.
'After the disappointment in Sardinia, I want to deliver a solid result for the team.
'They have worked incredibly hard — they deserve something to show for it. Our aim is to manage the conditions and hopefully come away with a strong, trouble-free rally.'
Acropolis Rally Greece begins with a traditional ceremonial start beneath the Parthenon on Thursday afternoon before crews set off to tackle a Spectator Special Stage at 4.05pm UK time.
A further 16 special stages totalling over 200 competitive miles will follow.
McErlean will share garage space with M-Sport Ford team-mate Gregoire Munster who is making his fourth Acropolis Rally start, event debutant and Rally Poland winner Martins Sesks, and gentleman driver Jourdan Serderidis for whom this is the eighth time contesting his home round of the FIA World Rally Championship.