Latest news with #JoshMcErlean
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
McErlean planning 'step forward' at Rally Finland
Josh McErlean says it will be a "special feeling" to compete at Rally Finland in the World Rally Championship. The rally is considered one of the crown jewel events of the WRC and is known as the 'Gravel Grand Prix' due to it's fast, flowing roads and iconic jumps. Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver McErlean, 26, is in his debut season in the top tier of the WRC with M-Sport and heads into the event off the back of a solid performance in Estonia. "Rally Finland is an event I've been looking forward to ever since we got the opportunity to compete at Rally1 level," said McErlean. "This weekend is about taking a step forward, trusting in ourselves, committing fully to the pacenotes, and starting to bring everything we have learnt together. "The key will be confidence and rhythm, and I'm ready to enjoy every moment of the ride through the forests." McErlean and co-driver Eoin Treacy finished ninth in their Ford Puma in Estonia - a rally which consists of similar traits to the iconic stages of Finland. The Northern Ireland driver wants to build on momentum gained from Estonia and said "it is all part of the learning process". "Estonia gave us exactly what we needed, a clean rally, strong pace progression, and something to build from," McErlean added. "From Saturday onwards in Estonia it was challenging running second on the road, and hopefully we can be a little higher up the order this time, but I certainly now know what to expect if we are in that position again. "Now for me, it's about fine-tuning, pushing where we can, and keeping that upward curve going." The rally begins on Thursday and the final of 20 stages takes place on Sunday.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
McErlean planning 'step forward' at Rally Finland
Josh McErlean says it will be a "special feeling" to compete at Rally Finland in the World Rally rally is considered one of the crown jewel events of the WRC and is known as the 'Gravel Grand Prix' due to it's fast, flowing roads and iconic Ireland Rally Academy driver McErlean, 26, is in his debut season in the top tier of the WRC with M-Sport and heads into the event off the back of a solid performance in Estonia."Rally Finland is an event I've been looking forward to ever since we got the opportunity to compete at Rally1 level," said McErlean."This weekend is about taking a step forward, trusting in ourselves, committing fully to the pacenotes, and starting to bring everything we have learnt together. "The key will be confidence and rhythm, and I'm ready to enjoy every moment of the ride through the forests."McErlean and co-driver Eoin Treacy finished ninth in their Ford Puma in Estonia - a rally which consists of similar traits to the iconic stages of Northern Ireland driver wants to build on momentum gained from Estonia and said "it is all part of the learning process"."Estonia gave us exactly what we needed, a clean rally, strong pace progression, and something to build from," McErlean added."From Saturday onwards in Estonia it was challenging running second on the road, and hopefully we can be a little higher up the order this time, but I certainly now know what to expect if we are in that position again. "Now for me, it's about fine-tuning, pushing where we can, and keeping that upward curve going."
Irish Examiner
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Rally Estonia 'a real benchmark' for McErlean
Motorsport So far, as their maiden Rally1 journey continues within the top tier of the World Rally Championship, the Irish crew of Josh McErlean/Eoin Treacy seem to perform better on gravel surface and this weekend's Delfi Rally Estonia, one of the fastest gravel rallies in the WRC, awaits as they continue what is still a learning experience. McErlean, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Wednesday has only one previous experience of Estonia - in 2023 when he drove a Hyundai i20 Rally2 to an eighth place category finish. 'Rally Estonia is a real benchmark for pace and commitment - fast roads, big jumps and no room for hesitation. It's an incredible feeling driving these roads and one I've been looking forward to ever since stepping into the Puma Rally1. Every kilometre is a chance to grow, and I'm keen to keep pushing, learning and showing what we can do.' Last time out, a succession of punctures, suspension damage and only front-wheel drive for a time, gave them a torrid time on the Acropolis Rally Greece. "That was one of the toughest tests we've faced, physically and mentally. But it showed us where we can improve and what we're capable of overcoming. Now it's about taking those learnings and applying them to a much faster rally like Estonia.' Outlining the plan, he concluded, 'The priority is to deliver a clean rally, we want to apply everything we learned from Greece, from car set-up to tyre management and adapting to conditions, to rebuild our momentum. Estonia is a place I enjoy, but mistakes here are costly, especially with how precise you need to be. Estonia has no room for errors on the stages'. With some 308 stage kilometres until Sunday, the Kilrea driver and his Killeagh co-driver will have plenty to keep them busy to attain their quest including Saturday's infamous Otepaa stage with its equally renowned jump and Sunday's all-new Power Stage - Kaariku. While championship leader, Elfyn Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) doesn't have his team mate and nearest challenger Sebastien Ogier snapping at his heels on this occasion, the presence of former event winners Ott Tanak (Hyundai 120 N Rally1) and Kalle Rovanpera (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) will chase the Welshman hard. Tanak's victory on the Acropolis Rally Greece has put him right back in contention, closing the gap to Evans twelve points, victory in his local event (he won in 2020) would continue to ramp up his bid. Tomorrow (Saturday) Omagh's Cathan McCourt (Skoda Fabia Rally2), outgoing NI champion Caryduff's Jonny Greer (Toyota Yaris Rally2) and Muff's Joe McGonigle (Citroen C3 Rally2) headline the R Kings Down Rally that brings the curtain down on the Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship. The eight-stage event is also a counter for the UK National Asphalt series where Jersey driver Sam Touzel (Ford Fiesta Rally2) could inherit top spot in the absence of series leader Jason Pritchard. Others in the top ten include newly crowned NI champion Donegal's Aaron McLaughlin (VW Polo GTi R5) and Kinallen's Stuart Biggerstaff (Ford Fiesta Rally2). The first stage starts at 9.30am. Meanwhile, having lost the lead of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship to the Moffett brothers (Josh and Sam) some two weeks ago on the Raven's Rock Rally, Kilkenny's Eddie Doherty (Skoda Fabia R5) has a quick opportunity for reparation on Sunday's Sligo Rally, the fifth round of the series. Power steering issues whilst holding a sizeable lead meant Doherty only gleamed a solitary point from the Waterford based event. As the top seed in what is a capacity entry Doherty will aim to cut the ten points deficit to the Moffett duo, who are joint leaders of the series. Sam will steer the newer model Hyundai as Josh stays faithful to the R5 variant. The other main championship contenders are Derry's Desi Henry (Ford Fiesta Rally2) and Declan Boyle (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2). Others in the top ten are Donegal's Michael Boyle (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) and Kevin Eves (Ford Fiesta Rally2), Armagh's Darren Gass (VW Polo GTi R5) and Maynooth's Paul Barrett (Citroen C3 Rally2). The first of the day's nine stages (Ladies Brae) is at 10.07am.
Belfast Telegraph
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
World Championship is such a big step up… I'm not here to prove anything to anyone overnight, says NI driver
Josh McErlean says he won't set out between now and the end of the season to 'prove anything overnight' despite knowing strong results could land him another Rally1 drive.
RTÉ News
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- RTÉ News
Josh McErlean relishing Sardinian WRC test
Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver Josh McErlean is in action at the Rally Italia Sardegna this weekend for round six of the World Rally Championship and determined to continue his upward trajectory behind the wheel of his M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1. McErlean, who was a WRC2 driver, was a surprise choice to compete for the full M-Sport Ford World Rally Team this year. His chance though came when Frenchman Adrian Formaux quit the M-Sport team to move to Hyundai this season and the British team decided to go with a younger, less experienced three-driver line-up, which included Derryman McErlean. So far the Irish driver has been in the points, his best result a fine seventh place in the opening Monte Carlo Rally, while McErlean finished eighth in the last round in Portugal. The 25-year-old driver from Kilrea was M-Sport's top points scorer during the weekend in Portugal. That momentum will be key on the Italian island's punishing stages, which includes Micky's Jump as part of the Lerno–Su Filigosu stage, one of the most famous jumps in world rallying. Last year's event saw the the joint-closest WRC finish in history, when Ott Tanak beat Sebastien Ogier to victory by two-tenths of a second. The event is held on narrow gravel tracks, which cut through mountainous forests, pushing drivers and machinery to the limit. Sardinia's abrasive gravel also gives it one of the highest tyre-wear rates in the whole season. "Sardinia is one of the toughest rallies on the calendar, no question," said McErlean, who went on to finish fourth fastest in the shakedown. "There's no room for error here – it's narrow, rough, and can catch you out at any second. "But after the positive result in Portugal, I feel we're progressing in the right direction. "We're learning more about the Puma on gravel with every kilometre, and this weekend will be another big step for us." The event opens with a ceremonial start in Olbia before two loops on Friday through Gallura's gritty, technical stages. Saturday will provide the ultimate test, featuring the infamous Lerno–Su Filigosu test. Sunday's action rounds off with a mix of returning classics and a new power stage on the coast at Porto San Paolo. "You have to learn to love this rally, you can't fight it, or it will bite you back", added McErlean. "It's a real test for both car and crew, and that's exactly what makes it so rewarding. We had a positive run in Portugal, and the goal is to carry that rhythm into this weekend." Meanwhile, two days of motor racing action lie ahead for race fans at Mondello Park this weekend as the second round of the ICCR series approaches. The Siltex Safety Zetec Fiestas once again have the largest grids and with a win apiece so far in 2025, Sean McGovern and Alan Dawson will be keen to take the top step of the podium once again. Formula Ford returns to the Kildare venue ahead of the Historic Festival in August and despite a relatively small entry list, all the big FF1600 names are there. Jason Smyth and Morgan Quinn are looking forward to a return to Irish tarmac and, having taken plenty of wins between them across the water, won't be here to make up numbers. Stephen O'Connor is fast, if a touch erratic, but could spring a surprise against the younger opposition if the planets align. BOSS Ireland is back at Mondello too, and all eyes will be on Limerick's Paul Having done most of his racing abroad recently, he brings his 590bhp Dallara World Series to Mondello Park. He was have to tackle the nimble F3 cars of reigning champion Tony Greenan and Noel Robinson. It's a battle of the V8s in the HRCA Historics as Jackie Cochrane's 5.0 Sunbeam Tiger fights off the similarly powered Ginetta G10 of son-in-law Gareth Thompson.
