Motorsport: 'This is the first time we get a clean surface and some consistency in grip'
Given that the opening three rounds of the World Rally Championship were specialised events, this weekend's Rally Islas Canarias offers Irish driver Josh McErlean (25) something more familiar where he can show his true pace in his fledgling Rally1 career.
'It's probably the first rally this season where we can have a little bit of predictability in terms of what we will face. Monte (Carlo), Sweden and Safari (previous rounds) are all very unique. This is the first time we get a clean surface and some consistency in grip," said the Kilrea driver, who termed the event as "an exciting next step.'
McErlean and his Killeagh co-driver Eoin Treacy have steadily built their pace and should perform well on the island's sealed surface he has a definite plan.
"This will be all about carrying speed through corners, finding that rhythm and committing early. Monte Carlo gave me my first taste of what a Rally1 car can do on a sealed surface, but Rally Islas Canarias is different; it's full on, proper smooth tarmac."
He added: "Of course, it's still a WRC round and nothing is ever easy. But we're feeling ready for this one.' McErlean will be joined by his M-Sport teammate Gregoire Munster.
Championship leader Welsh ace Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris Rally1) has an unprecedented 36 point lead in the series over reigning champion Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 Rally1) after victories in Sweden and Kenya and a podium spot in Monte Carlo.
Neuville and his teammate Ott Tanak have the task of trying to reduce the points deficit on the 18-stage event.
Recently, both Neuville and Evans took part in the ERC round Rally Sierra Morena to get some asphalt mileage under their belts.
Hyundai's three-car line-up is completed by Adrien Fourmaux while Sebastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanpera return to strengthen Toyota's points-scoring efforts.
Rovanpera has yet to unlock his campaign, which sees him languishing 57 points behind Evans. The Toyota Gazoo Racing outfit also features Japan's Takamoto Katsuta with Northern Ireland's Aaron Johnson alongside and Finland's Sami Pajari.
Local legend Luis Monzon (59) will drive a Citroen C3 Rally2 in WRC2 in what will be his 34th iteration of the rally where there is a record-breaking 38-strong entry in WRC2 - the biggest in the category's history. It includes Wexford's Eamonn Boland and his Waterford co-driver "MJ" Morrissey in a Ford Fiesta Rally2.
There are six stages today.
In motor racing, Wicklow's Max Hart, the current Motorsport Ireland incumbent of the Young Racing Driver of the Year award, will compete in this year's TCR Europe Series that begins this weekend. Racing with Italian outfit Target Competition and Hyundai Motorsport, he will pilot a Hyundai Elantra N TCR on some of the top circuits around Europe.
Supported by O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey he has set his sights on championship victory and the top prize of a free entry for the 2026 Kumho TCR World Tour.
"All the circuits will be new to me and I am really looking forward to testing on them. What we have (package) is definitely one with which we can challenge for the title. As I am only twenty-three, I will be competing in the Junior Rookie Championship too, but the aim is to run right at the front from the first round at Portimao this weekend."
Meanwhile, Silverstone hosts the second round races in this weekend's British Ginetta Championships where Ballylickey's Robert Cronin races in the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT series and his younger brother Colin and Donegal's Joshua Henry compete in the Junior category.
The top 10 for next weekend's Asses Ireland is as follows: 1. Callum Devine/Noel O'Sullivan (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2); 2. Keith Cronin/Mikie Galvin (Citroen C3 Rally2); 3. Matt Edwards/David Moynihan (Hyundai i20 N Rally2); 4. Meirion Evans/Ger Conway (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2); 5. Josh Moffett/Andy Hayes (Citroen C3 Rally2); 6. Eddie Doherty/Tom Murphy (Skoda Fabia R5); 7. David Kelly/Arthur Kierans (VW Polo GTi R5); 8. Declan Boyle/Patrick Walsh (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2); 9. Cathan McCourt/Barry McNulty (Hyundai20 N Rally2); 10. Michael Boyle/Dermot McCafferty (VW Polo GTi R5).
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