McErlean set for first WRC outing of 2024 at Rally Portugal

Josh McErlean will get his 2024 FIA World Rally Championship campaign underway next weekend, as he tackles the Vodafone Rally de Portugal [9-12 May].

The 24-year-old finally embarks on his assault on the WRC2 category and will pilot a Toksport World Rally Team Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 with returning co-driver James Fulton alongside. The difficult gravel event will mark a new era in McErlean’s career, as he starts his third season in the World Rally Championship, but his first behind the wheel of a Škoda and his first in a new team.

Backed by the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, McErlean feels ready for his reinvigorated season after tackling Rally Terras d’ Aboboreira a fortnight ago, where he recorded a string of top times on his competitive debut in the car and secured fifth overall against several WRC2 regulars.

“It was fantastic to get behind the wheel of the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 for the first time in an actual event and it was all about data gathering and getting to grips with the car and how it works on the unique sandy stages we see in Portugal,” says McErlean.

“From our side, it was mission accomplished, and we got everything we needed to from the weekend and it was nice to set a good pace too as we continued to get to grips with our new surroundings. It was important to get the miles under our belts but we can’t be too complacent, WRC Portugal will be a very different animal”.

Aboboreira served as the perfect warm-up to the WRC encounter and whilst it’s a later start to the season than normal, McErlean is very eager to get going and is already feeling at home in the new camp.

“I am super excited to start our WRC season and I feel comfortable in the relationship with Toksport and Škoda Motorsport which has started really well. It’s all so professionally run and a very positive environment.

“It’s now full speed ahead into WRC Portugal and it’s great to have James [Fulton] back by my side. Preparation has been good and we now know what direction we have to head for, in terms of driving style and set-up. Our pace is encouraging, and we want to build on this as well as consistency. We know Portugal can turn into a game of survival at times, so we have to use our heads as always and manage any situations presented to us. But it feels like a long time coming and I can’t wait to get stuck into the thick of it next weekend”.

Vodafone Rally de Portugal offers over 337 kilometers of special stages, spread across four days. Thursday [9 May] houses the opening super special stage, before Friday’s eight tests, separated by just one tyre fitting zone. Saturday is the longest of the rally at 145 kilometers, before Sunday’s four tests, including the world-famous Fafe stage, round out the weekend.

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