ERC
Lloyd: ERC results helped land Vauxhall manufacturer drive
Ioan Lloyd says his FIA European Rally Championship performances were instrumental to him securing a dream opportunity to drive for British manufacturer Vauxhall in 2026.
Lloyd, runner-up to Calle Carlberg in FIA ERC4 and FIA Junior ERC at his first attempt in 2025, will contest the all-electric ADAC Opel GSE Rally Cup next season after being named an official Vauxhall driver following the marque’s return to motorsport.
Stellantis-owned Vauxhall’s competition comeback after a 16-year absence coincides with the ADAC Opel GSE Rally Cup (previously the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup and won by Calle Carlberg in 2024) switching from the Corsa e-Rally top the Mokka GSE – built to the FIA’s new eRally5 regulations – as its base model for 2026.
“There’s no question that competing in the ERC against the best has put us on the map and Vauxhall obviously recognised this,” said the 23-year-old British driver. “Finishing runner-up in the first year has no doubt helped us because the competition in the ERC is like you’ll find nowhere else, especially in the Juniors it’s just so competitive. But it’s a nice group of competitors as well, it’s fierce competition on the stages but, in between, we’ll have a fantastic time, and I’ve made many good friends through it.”
Lloyd finished runner-up to Calle Carlberg ERC4 and Junior ERC
© ERC
Rallying legend Colin McRae and Lloyd’s fellow Welshman David Llewellin, a six-time ERC event winner, were also Vauxhall-supported drivers in the past, a fact not lost on Lloyd.
“Looking back 10 years ago I definitely wouldn’t have believed it, a factory driver is something unreal,” he continued. “Following in the footsteps of legends like David Llewelyn and Colin McRae, I’m beyond excited to be joining Vauxhall as their official works driver for 2026, absolutely delighted and very, very lucky to have this opportunity. It’s a huge moment and an even bigger honour to represent a British brand making its return to top-level motorsport. I can’t wait to get stuck into the season and push this new car to its limits.”
Vauxhall managing director Steve Catlin said: “It’s a privilege to announce Vauxhall’s return to its motorsport roots, not to mention representing a British entry with one of the most exciting young drivers in Ioan Lloyd.”
Heading for home glory on Rali Ceredigion in September
© ERC
Lloyd’s ERC ambitions remain strong
Although Ioan Lloyd’s ADAC Opel GSE Rally Cup campaign will be his main focus in 2026, he’s not ruling out selected FIA European Rally Championship appearances with JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion – his home event from 4 - 6 September a target alongside co-driver Sion Williams.
“It’s a bit of a difficult one,” Lloyd said. “After having a year of experience in the ERC I would love to go back. But this opportunity now presents a different programme and I obviously want to give 100 per cent commitment to Vauxhall and their programme with the Mokka GSE. If we manage to come out on top in the ADAC Opel GSE Rally Cup, then we’re back in the Junior ERC in 2027 with a full works drive with Opel [as our prize]. We’ve got a lot of work to do before that and for that to even be a possibility, but it’s the goal and we’ll try our best to achieve that. As long as these opportunities keep presenting themselves then we’ll give it our best shot and enjoy it.”
“I really do hope we can at least do our home rally in Ceredigion, I think it will be difficult to stay away from that one, and we’ll see what else we can fit in, but the main focus is the ADAC Opel GSE Rally Cup. I don’t want to look back in three years and say to myself I should have given that 100 per cent of my commitment and didn’t.”
