Five newcomers are up for the ERC Rookie of the Year award

ERC

Fans to choose their ERC Rookie of the Year

Five newcomers who have excelled during the 2026 FIA European Rally Championship are in contention for the ERC Rookie of the Year award with voting under way today (Wednesday).

Written by ERC

2 min readPublished on 30.09.2026 · 07:00 UTC

The expert panel chose the quintet, who had no previous ERC event experience prior to this season, following lengthy deliberation.

Voting for the ERC Rookie of the Year follows online polls for the ERC Livery of the Year, ERC Most Improved Driver of the Year and ERC Drive of the Year. The ERC Stage-End Quote of the Year completes the ERC Fan Awards voting on Friday.

The list of five nominees for the ERC Rookie of the Year appears below and a reminder to vote by clicking HERE or by going to this link: https://www.riddle.com/view/lYD2UVNJ

Colin Dünker

As well as an absence of ERC event experience, German Dünker, 25, has battled funding issues throughout his maiden campaign at international level. Despite this, and the fact he doubles up as a mechanic on-event, Dunker’s won stages, led his category and fought for podiums.

Kalum Graffin

Twenty-year-old Irishman Graffin was new to ERC3 this season but has excelled by finishing on the category podium twice, while also impressing in the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy.

Aatu Hakalehto

After claiming a debut ERC4 win in Spain, Hakalehto, 19, was firmly in the victory fight in Sweden and Italy. Unfortunately for the flying Finn, two DNFs wrecked his title bid, which he called time on after an epic comeback drive in Poland didn’t quite net a top Junior ERC score.

Petr Kačírek

Czech Kačírek, who turns 20 today (30 September), transferred a rich karting pedigree to the ERC via a handful of seasons rallying in his homeland. He has proved to be rapid on Tarmac and gravel. Like his fellow nominees, Kačírek has a bright future in the sport.

Lucas Zielinski

The 30-year-old from France was a revelation in ERC3. What started as a one-off prize drive from Renault and Michelin turned into a title bid, which, with more luck could have netted the title, such was his pace and progression.

Voting for the ERC Drive of the Year is available by clicking HERE or by going to this link: https://www.riddle.com/view/lYD2UVNJ

A reminder that ERC Stage-End Quote of the Year voting opens at 09:00 CET on Friday 2 October. Go to FIAERC.com for more details.

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