ERC
Caldwell steps up in ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy
Cian Caldwell is preparing to transfer his potential to the FIA European Rally Championship in 2026 with support from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy.
The 21-year-old will contest the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy, a joint initiative from M-Sport Poland and WRC Promoter GmbH, which runs on the opening five rounds of the 2026 ERC season and rewards its eventual winner with a Ford Fiesta Rally2 prize drive.
He steps up to ERC level on the back of an exceptional 2025 season when he secured the Motorsport Ireland Junior Rally Series Championship, the Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship and the Irish Forestry Championship driving a Peugeot 208 Rally4.
McPhillips (right) will co-drive Caldwell in the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy
© Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy
Caldwell, who will be co-driven by fellow Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy member Paul McPhillips, 24, said: “This will be my first year driving the Fiesta Rally3 and I’m really looking forward to learning the car on some of the best stages in Europe. Although this will be my first year competing in the ERC, I feel this is a step in the right direction for our careers, for myself, Paul and my sponsors. We’re excited to kickstart our campaign in Spain for the opening round of the championship with guidance from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy.”
I feel this is a step in the right direction for our careers
As part of their preparations for the ERC season-opening 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site from 17 - 19 April, Caldwell and McPhillips will contest Rallye La Llana in Spain from 10 -11 April.
And they won’t be short of match practice when they head to Spain after they won Rally3 in 14th overall on the Galway International Rally last month. They will also be in action on this weekend’s West Cork Rally.
Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy is supporting Caldwell's ERC bid
© Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy
“We really enjoyed how the rally went on our debut in the Rally3,” Caldwell said of his Galway International Rally outing. “I wasn’t expecting any results and my main goal was to learn the car over the two-day rally. This was a great start for us and I look forward to working hard to improve our pace some more.”
Caldwell will drive for MCN Rally Team in the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy. The Ford Fiesta Rally2 prize drive will be available on JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion, which Caldwell contested in 2024, albeit as a non-priority driver.
