ERC
Pröglhöf wants more ERC action after breakthrough podium
Luca Pröglhöf wants to build on his breakthrough podium by returning to the FIA European Rally Championship in 2026.
The Austrian, 26, completed the ERC4/Junior ERC top three on Croatia Rally on 5 October with a fine drive in challenging weather conditions.
Pröglhöf had targeted a podium before the completion of his first ERC season – his prize for winning the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup in 2023 – and he duly delivered in Croatia despite the heavy rain of leg two.
“I’m super-happy about it,” said Pröglhöf, whose Opel Corsa Rally4 was co-driven by Christina Ettel. “It was a really tough rally, maybe the toughest rally in my life. The difficult thing was to stay on the road but now I am lucky to share the podium at least once in the year with Calle [Carlberg].
“It was a super-rally, extremely difficult but we managed it. It was my first proper rain rally with the Corsa Rally4, so I managed it quite well, but we have to improve for next year.”
Plenty of progress was achieved in first ERC campaign
© ERC
By joining team-mate Carlberg on the Croatia Rally podium it meant there was double cause for their ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team to celebrate in Zagreb.
“It’s amazing, I’m really happy for the team,” Pröglhöf said. “They’re working so hard and always keeping me motivated. This is a team effort. Sure it’s difficult to find the budget but when we manage it you will see me here next year as well.”
Pröglhöf finished sixth in the final ERC4 standings and seventh in Hankook-supplied Junior ERC.
Opel Motorsport director Jörg Schrott said: “Luca put in some strong performances in his first Junior ERC season, but also learned some lessons along the way, as is normal at this high level.”
