ERC
Why circuit time could mean happy Croatia time for ERC star Carlberg
Calle Carlberg continues his FIA Junior WRC Championship title challenge in Croatia this week at the top of the standings and boosted by a test with a difference.
The Swedish star is contesting the five-event Junior WRC season as his prize for winning the FIA Junior ERC Championship in 2025, when he also banked the FIA ERC4 crown alongside co-driver Jørgen Eriksen.
Ahead of the Croatia Rally, which runs from tomorrow (Thursday) until Sunday, Carlberg stopped off at the Mantorp Park racing circuit in his native Sweden to try Tarmac in a four-wheel-drive car for size.
Croatia Rally outing in 2025 netted more ERC success
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Driving the GK Door Team Sweden Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 he uses in the Swedish championship, the 25-year-old was able to get crucial experience under his belt.
“What a car and what a feeling to drive one of these cars on Tarmac,” Carlberg said. “It was important testing for the future and to prepare for Junior WRC and the ERC. A massive thank you for GK Door Team Sweden for a professional job as always. Thank you to Mantorp Park for lending us the track.”
It was important testing for the future and to prepare for Junior WRC and the ERC
Carlberg starts Croatia Rally leading the Junior WRC standings by 19 points following his Rally Sweden victory in February. He has previous experience of the sealed-surface event from his debut in 2025 when it used stages closer to the capital, Zagreb.
Swedish star began Junior WRC bid with a home victory
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“Rally Sweden feels like an eternity ago, so I’m really looking forward to getting back into the car; back doing what I love,” Carlberg said. “I have been to Croatia before, winning the 2025 event in the Junior ERC and it is an incredible place to rally. Of course, the location and stages are different this year, but I know the characteristics and they seem to work well for us.”
Following Croatia Rally, Carlberg will make his ERC1 debut in a Llarena Racing-run Citroën C3 Rally2 on 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site from 17 - 19 April.
Rahill aiming to bounce back in Croatia
Craig Rahill, who placed third in the 2025 Junior ERC standings, will also be on Junior WRC duty in Croatia as he aims to hit back from his Rally Sweden retirement.
He prepared for the event by topping the Rally3 division in fourth overall on the Quattro River Rally last month with Conor Smith co-driving.
Rahill has "reset" and is ready to go in Croatia
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“We have taken the positives from Sweden and learned from our mistakes and are ready to reset and get stuck into Croatia,” said the 22-year-old Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy-backed driver. “We did the Quattro River Rally with KMS Racing in preparation to get a feel for the Fiesta Rally3 Evo on Tarmac.”
Like Carlberg, Rahill will contest 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site, stepping up to ERC3 and the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy.
