This is what career progression looks like! The eventual winner of the category for Rally4 or Rally5 cars in 2024 will secure a season in the FIA Junior WRC Championship next year. Consisting of 5 events, all drivers will compete in identical Ford Fiesta Rally3s run by M-Sport Poland and using Hankook tyres from the 2025 season. Should the 2024 Junior ERC champion win using a Fiesta Rally4, then they will also undertake a course at the world-renowned John Haugland Winter Rally School in Norway.
Iain Campbell, the ERC championship manager, said:
“Junior ERC is not just about giving young talents, in their first or second season of international competition, the opportunity to learn and develop in a highly competitive environment. But it’s also about providing a clear incentive to choose Junior ERC in the first place and the Junior WRC prize drive is that and more. We are very pleased to be partnering with the FIA, M-Sport Poland and Hankook in providing this fantastic career boost.”
Last year Norbert Maior, partnered by his sister Francesca hadn't won a single event when they arrived at the final round in Hungary. But they had been consistent, finishing on the podium in 4 out the 5 previous events. Their closest rivals in Nore and Daprà evaporated early in the event with a puncture and engine failure respectively, to leave the Majors' a clear path to lead the event. A lead they would not lose. As preparations are under way before this year’s Junior WRC Championship, the 2023 Junior ERC title winner said:
“It’s unbelievable, a dream for sure. It’s an incredible opportunity we have.”
This year is sure to be another top notch and exciting year and we for one can't wait to see it unfold when the season kicks off back at Rally Hungary on 12-14 April.
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