ERC
Fast Fiesta-driving Coleman claims ERC success
Casey Jay Coleman got his second ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy season off to the perfect start with victory on 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site last weekend.
Flying the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy flag for the first time, Coleman took top spot by 43.1sec ahead of compatriots and category rookies Kalum Graffin and Cian Caldwell as a record 11 drivers chased success in the M-Sport Poland-run category.
“It was a fantastic weekend for us, to take the win in Fiesta Rally3 trophy along with second place in ERC3 was a great start to our European campaign,” said Coleman, who was co-driven by Kilian McArdle. “It was a great battle all weekend and I think we drove sensibly to secure some great points heading into the next round in Sweden.
It was a great battle all weekend and I think we drove sensibly to secure some great points
“The pace was quite good on Saturday. On Sunday, we kept the pressure on while also trying to not make any mistakes on some very difficult stages, with a lot more cuts and high risk for punctures. Fortunately, we kept our composure. Everyone in the team has been working very hard so far and I’m looking forward to pushing even more as the season continues. Huge thanks to my team, my sponsors and the great support I receive from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy.”
Graffin moved into second in the closing stages
© ERC
Commenting on the record entry, M-Sport Poland Director Maciej Woda said: “I’m really pleased. Three years ago I was really disappointed that there were not so many Rally3 cars in the European championship so that’s why we started the ERC Fiesta Rally3Trophy in 2024. To see it growing and having 11 cars starting the season is brilliant.”
Rookies impress as ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy season two begins
Kalum Graffin and Cian Caldwell were among a number of newcomers to impress when the third ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy season got under way in Spain.
Caldwell had been on course to finish second to Casey Jay Coleman but lost time with a turbo issue and damaged wheel in the closing stages, leaving Graffin to move into second on SS12 as ex-karter Petr Kačírek finished fourth.
Caldwell completed the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy top three
© ERC
With his hopes of victory ruined by a broken wheel rim on SS3, Ville Vatanen charged up from ninth to fifth as Craig Rahill, Vatanen’s KMS Racing team-mate, won SS2 but dropped out of contention with tyre damage on the next test. He retired with a reported sensor issue prior to Sunday’s first stage.
Igor Widłak returned to action in sixth with Jan Pokos and Alexandra Teslovan next up followed by Spaniard Joan Socias. For Romanian teenager Teslovan, meanwhile, finishing her first ERC event represented mission accomplished.
Scotland’s Robert Proudlock, another ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy rookie, retired on Sunday’s opening run with a fuel pressure issue. He was seventh at the time.
The gravel-based BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia hosts round two of the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy from 22 - 24 May.
Who won what on 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site?
On each ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy round, several incentives are handed out. Here’s a reminder of who won what on 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site:
Casey Jay Coleman: 12 new Pirelli tyres, voucher for 150 litres of Warter RALLY EVO2 fuel
Kalum Graffin: 6 new Pirelli tyres, voucher for 100 litres of Warter RALLY EVO2 fuel
Cian Caldwell: 2 new Pirelli tyres, voucher for 50 litres of Warter RALLY EVO2 fuel
