Fri 21 Apr 2023
Javier Pardo will get the opportunity to showcase his potential in the FIA European Rally Championship once again when the race for 2023 success resumes on Rally Islas Canarias next month.
The Spaniard was runner-up in last season’s ERC, his first full campaign at Rally2 level, having claimed the ERC2 title in 2021.
Pardo is focusing on events closer to home as the official driver for MRF Tyres in the Spanish Supercampeonato championship this year. But with Rally Islas Canarias counting for both the ERC and S-CER, Pardo gets the chance to return to international level.
“I’m looking forward to arriving in the Canary Islands and being able to participate with my friends in the ERC,” said the 26-year-old Pardo. “The goal this season is to win the Spanish championship representing MRF Tyres, maybe at the end of the season if we achieve our goal in Spain we could do some more ERC rallies.”
Pardo’s bid to achieve silverware at home is on course after he won the recent Rallye Tierras Altas de Lorca in the Rallycar-run Hyundai i20 N Rally2 he shares with long-term co-driver Adrián Pérez to move into the points lead.
Opposition for Pardo on Rally Islas Canarias will be intense with Yoann Bonato, Mads Østberg, Hayden Paddon and defending ERC champion Efrén Llarena among those expected to challenge for glory.
Rally Islas Canarias takes place on Tarmac-only stages from 4 - 6 May 2023.
Action photos: Kike Salgueiro
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