ERC
ERC Graduate Watch: Young drivers step up and impress in Andalucía
Several drivers stepped up category levels during the FIA European Rally Championship season opener last weekend. Here’s a reminder of who climbed the ranks and what happened.
Calle Carlberg: The ERC4/Junior ERC champion from 2025 joined Llarena Racing for his ERC1 debut and his first outing on asphalt in a Rally2 car. While an enforced wheel change ruled out a points finish, Carlberg impressed with a trio of top 10 stage times in his Hankook-equipped Citroën C3 Rally2.
Tristan Charpentier: A winner in ERC3 last season, Charpentier made the move to Rally2 level on 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site and scored ERC points in 12th position driving a Michelin-shod Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 for Orsák Rally Sport.
Charpentier scored points on his first ERC1 start
© ERC
Adam Grahn: Like Charpentier, Swede Grahn was Škoda Fabia RS Rally2-powered during the European championship season opener having made his move from ERC3. The JC Raceteknik-run Grahn just missed out on a top 20 finish driving on Hankook tyres.
Tuukka Kauppinen: Moving up from ERC4/Junior ERC level, Tagai Racing Technology-run Kauppinen (lead image) fought back strongly from a car-damaging spin on SS4 to finish a fine 11th among the European elite. The Michelin-shod Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale driver underlined his huge promise with the second fastest time on SS11.
Maximilian Lichtenegger: On his first ERC3 start following on from his debut ERC4/Junior ERC podium on Barum Czech Rally Zlín last season, the 21-year-old showed his potential with third place in the Rally3 division driving a Renault Clio Rally3 for Baumschlager Rallye & Racing.
Craig Rahill: Having won in ERC4/Junior ERC last season, the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy high-flyer was on ERC3 duty for the first time. But after the high of setting the fastest time on SS2, Rahill suffered a huge low when he stopped to change a flat tyre on his KMS Racing Ford Fiesta Rally3 on the very next stage. To compound his frustration a sensor issue stopped him on his tracks at the start of Sunday’s deciding leg.
Teenager Rzeźnik impressed on the opening super special
© ERC
Adrian Rzeźnik: Rzeźnik made building his Rally2 experience his sole focus when he moved up from ERC3. A highly encouraging performance from the inexperienced Polish teenager included the joint second fastest time on the opening super special and a top 15 run on the Power Stage.
BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia hosts round two of the ERC season from 22 - 24 May and the first event of the FIA Junior ERC schedule.
