ERC
Nordstrand to deliver experience-building Junior ERC campaign
Karl Peder Nordstrand will join a list of rising stars to watch when the 2026 FIA Junior ERC Championship begins on next week’s BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia.
The 18-year-old from Norway finished runner-up twice in two Junior ERC outings last season and returns for a full campaign in 2026 with guidance from EVEN Management as part of a long-term development programme.
Sunniva Rudi will co-drive Nordstrand in Junior ERC
© EVEN Management
“We’re entering ERC to continue building experience and understanding the level,” Nordstrand said. “Barum is the only rally I’ve done before, so most events will be completely new to us, which makes the challenge even bigger. At the same time, I always aim high. The goal is to fight for top positions, even though we know it won’t come easy.”
The goal is to fight for top positions, even though we know it won’t come easy
Nordstrand’s co-driver and fellow Norwegian Sunniva Rudi said: “Starting out together in ERC last year gave us a strong foundation. We worked well as a team from the beginning, and now it’s about building on that and taking the next step.”
Roy Snellingen, Sporting Director at EVEN Management, which nurtured the early careers of ERC champions Esapekka Lappi and Andreas Mikkelsen, said: “Karl Peder already showed last year that he can compete at this level. Now it’s about gaining more experience, refining the details and building consistency across a full programme.”
Nordstrand took a debut Junior ERC podium in Zlín last season
© ERC
Teenager Nordstrand has established himself as one of Norway’s most promising young drivers having claimed an outright event win in Latvia driving a Rally2 car at the age of 15. He has claimed multiple class victories in the Norwegian championship this season.
He will drive an IK Sport-run Opel Corsa Rally4 in the Hankook-equipped series. IK Sport guided Mille Johansson to the 2024 Junior ERC title.
