Junior ERC
Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy pair making Junior ERC gains
It’s not just Craig Rahill and co-driver Conor Smith who have been flying the flag for the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy in the FIA Junior ERC Championship this season.
While Rahill and Smith were firmly in the spotlight on Rally di Roma Capitale earlier this month after they secured their maiden Junior ERC podium finish, Keelan Grogan and Ayrton Sherlock made it two Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy pairings in the top 10 by finishing eighth overall to match their previous best result.
“I am glad to make the finish of an extremely demanding Rally di Roma Capitale,” Grogan, 24, said. “We knew the event would be tough with the high temperatures but it’s hard to tell until you actually do it. Things never really clicked for us on Saturday and while Sunday was a bit better, we were too far back to pick up any positions. Overall, though, it was a massive experience and we have learned so much. Big thanks to the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy for their support in competing in these rallies and also to everyone else who helps.”
Rahill's Roma Junior ERC podium was a career first
© ERC
After finishing 3.1sec adrift of second place on the Italian asphalt event, Rahill said: “It was definitely one of the toughest events I have ever done with the heat and the long demanding stages. The pace was crazy all weekend and the times were so close. To get my first Junior ERC podium is really special and definitely one I will cherish for a long time.”
With two rounds of the Hankook-supplied Junior ERC remaining, Rahill is sixth in the provisional standings, tied on points with fellow Irish competitor Aoife Raftery. Grogan is eight points adrift in 10th place.
