ERC
ERC’s Croatia Rally fast 50 revealed
Fifty crews will chase FIA European Rally Championship success when Croatia Rally returns to the ERC schedule as the season finale next week (3 - 5 October).
The standout figure for Croatia Rally’s first ERC appearance since 2013 includes 28 crews in Rally2 cars, 10 at the wheel of Rally3 machinery and 12 in Rally4 entries of which nine are eligible for points in the Hankook-supplied FIA Junior ERC Championship.
In addition, nine crews will take part with non-priority status for a total of 59 entrants. Non-priority drivers are not eligible to score ERC points.
ERC title contenders out in force
Pirelli-equipped Jon Armstrong and Andrea Mabellini and Michelin-shod Miko Marczyk are preparing to line up in Zagreb as they bid to win the FIA European Rally Championship outright. Tymek Abramowski and Hubert Kowalczyk, the two Pirelli-supplied ERC3 title contenders, will also be in action as will Calle Carlberg and Ioan Lloyd, who are in a two-way fight for ERC4 title gold using Hankook tyres.
WRC regulars to battle ERC aces
Several leading lights from the FIA World Rally Championship will take on top talents from the FIA European Rally Championship in Croatia as a warm-up for the WRC-counting Central European Rally from 16 - 19 October. The list includes Taylor Gill, Nikolay Gryazin, Lauri Joona, Romet Jürgenson, Pablo Sarrazin, Giovanni Trentin, Robert Virves and Yuki Yamamoto.
Østberg returns for a rally with a difference
Mads Østberg returns to ERC duty in Croatia for what will be his 300th career start. The Norwegian, who’s fourth in the standings after seven rounds, missed Barum Czech Rally Zlín and JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion but returns for the season showdown with new co-driver Lorcan Moore.
Team MRF Tyres gets new recruits for Teams’ title push
Team MRF Tyres is going all out to land the FIA European Rally Championship for Teams for a third time and has recruited Erik Cais and Lauri Joona to join forces with existing driver Simone Tempestini.
Title winners Croatia-boundTitle winners Croatia-bound
Jakub Matulka will head to Croatia a champion after he secured the Polish title for the first time last weekend. Simon Wagner became a five-time Austrian champion earlier this season, while Martin Vlček can’t be caught in the chase for inaugural FIA Master ERC Championship.
Hungary for ERC
András Hadik, Norbert Herczig, Antal Kovács, Zoltan László and Ferenc Vincze are preparing to cross over Hungary’s border with Croatia for the ERC decider with Hadik in action when Croatia last hosted the ERC in 2013. Meanwhile, Sebastian Butynski, Błażej Gazda, Jarosław Kołtun, Piotr Krotoszyński and Adrian Rzeżnik will travel from Poland, Norman Kreuter from Germany, Roberto Blach from Spain, Catherine Radulescu from Romania and Rok Turk from neighbouring Slovenia.
Newcomers join the ERC3 showdown
Japanese Toyota development drivers Shotaro Goto and Takumi Matsushita, plus homegrown youngster Jan Pokos make their first ERC3 appearances in Croatia.
Homegrown hopefuls take to the ERC stage
Several crews are revving up for their home ERC counter. Eris Marotti, Dario Merlić, Jan Pokos and ERC3 regular Martin Ravenščak will fly the Croatian flag on the sealed-surface event.
Young talents target Junior ERC joy
Although Calle Carlberg can’t be caught in Junior ERC title chase, several young talents will aim to end 2025 on a high with Francesco Dei Ceci, Keelan Grogan, Tuukka Kauppinen, Leevi Lassila, Ioan Lloyd, Karl Peder Nordstrand, Luca Pröglhöf and Craig Rahill all aiming high Meanwhile, Mille Johansson, last year’s Junior ERC champion, will complete his first ERC1 season with 2023 title winner Norbert Maior making his second start at Rally2 level in the ERC.
Croatia Rally takes place from 3 - 5 October. More event news and information coming soon at FIAERC.com.
