ERC
Virtanen steps up to ERC championship manager role
FIA European Rally Championship promoter WRC Promoter GmbH is delighted to welcome Rami Virtanen as its new Championship Manager.
Virtanen, from Finland, follows in the footsteps of Iain Campbell, who takes on the new role within the WRC Promoter GmbH family of WRC Sporting Manager.
Having performed the ERC Event Manager role from the start of the 2022 season to great acclaim, Virtanen, 35, brings a wealth of experience and a tremendous understanding of the ERC, its events and operation to his new position.
He was the Marketing Coordinator at AKK Sports Oy, where he worked primarily on Rally Finland, before he joined WRC Promoter’s branding team to work across several FIA World Rally Championship events, a role he combined with completing his Master’s degree.
Campbell will pass the ERC baton to Virtanen
© ERC
Campbell, ERC Championship Manager since 2022, will attend the opening rounds of the eagerly anticipated 2026 ERC season in a handover and advisory capacity to Virtanen, the pair having enjoyed a highly successful working relationship over the last four years.
I am very excited to take on this new challenge
Campbell said: “Rami has been in integral part of the ERC since WRC Promoter took on the promotion of the championship in 2022. He has led the team that has increased the media value to our partners and worked closely with the events to help deliver for everyone. On a personal level I will miss ERC hugely. The competitors, events and personnel involved are a fabulous team. The best bit is seeing Rami have this opportunity to develop the championship further, whilst maintaining the continuity of the last four seasons.”
Virtanen said: “I am very excited to take on this new challenge. I have been lucky to have worked with Iain Campbell these past four seasons. His dedication, leadership and humanistic approach to the championship and its stakeholders is commendable and has truly taken the ERC to another level. The ERC has become my extended family, and I trust that we will keep the momentum going and have fun in the process.”
The 2026 ERC season will begin in Spain in mid-April
© ERC
The 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site opens the 73rd ERC season from 17 - 19 April.
