Junior ERC
Rahill wins big as Carlberg wins bigger still in Junior ERC
Craig Rahill made the perfect start to his Lancia-powered FIA Junior ERC Championship career with victory on Barum Czech Rally Zlín.
Switching to the legendary manufacturer’s Ypsilon Rally4 HF ahead of the penultimate event of the season, the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver started leg two leading Ioan Lloyd by 11.7sec.
But after Lloyd retired with damage on Sunday’s opener, Rahill and co-driver Conor Smith were left in the clear to win ahead of Opel-powered newcomers Karl Peder Nordstand and Maximilan Lichtenegger, as Calle Carlberg celebrated winning the Junior ERC title in eighth place following his restart this morning after driveshaft failure on SS6.
“This is the best day of my life,” said the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team driver Carlberg. “I got to say such a big thanks to Opel for this opportunity. It would never be possible without them and all of my sponsors. Tom Kristensson, Hankook and everyone who has been a part of this. I never thought I would come this far and call myself a European champion but that proves with hard work and dedication you can do whatever you want. It feels so good.”
Rahill, whose victory was the first for Lancia’s new-for-2025 Ypsilon Rally4 HF in the ERC and the marque’s first international triumph in 30 years, said: “It’s kind of a dream scenario. We thought it would be a big job on today to keep Ioan behind us, he’s always fast as we saw in the morning but it’s unfortunate he slid off the road. We just kept our noses clean and got through. I’m really happy.”
ZlC-n marked a best-ever Junior ERC result for Maximilian Lichtenegger
© At World
Behind rookies Nordstrand and Lichtenegger, Francesco Dei Ceci finished a season-best fourth for ACI Team Italia with Carlberg’s team-mate Luca Pröglhöf a strong fifth.
Keelan Grogan, who was in the podium fight during the opening stages, hit back from twice changing damaged tyres to finish sixth in the second Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy entry as Tomasso Sandrin overcame mechanical issues to finish seventh followed by Carlberg.
Of his exit from a seemingly certain second place on SS8, Lloyd said: “We went wide and clipped a tree. The tracking was so bent that it caused a double puncture. We changed one but it just went again and, unfortunately, it meant retirement. I’m gutted to retire from this rally, such a cool challenge and very tricky.”
Leevi Lassila was in a strong second starting SS6 but dropped out of contention when he was forced to change a damaged tyre. He reached the overnight halt in seventh place but crashed out on Sunday’s opening test.
The Croatia Rally hosts the Junior ERC season finale from 3 - 5 October. Visit FIAERC.com on 20 August for the Junior ERC round-up from Barum Czech Rally Zlín.
