After a remarkable debut season at European level competition that saw him claim victory on the final round of the M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3 Trophy, Casey Jay Coleman has now set his sights on further FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) success as he announces an exciting plan for 2026.
‘’At just 22 years of age, the Irish youngster secured an impressive victory by winning the M-Sport and Pirelli backed Ford Fiesta Rally3 Trophy Round in Barum Czech Rally Zlin, claiming success with an assured and confident drive, his progression of speed and consistency since I’ve first witnessed C.J behind the wheel combined with his positive friendly attitude has really impressed me” stated Maciej Woda, M-Sport Poland Managing Director’’
Taking the win in Barum on the final round of the season, Coleman secured a second-place finish in the M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3 Trophy standings, a remarkable feat in a debut season for the Irish youngster at European level that has seen him compete at events in Spain, Hungary, Poland and Italy before the final round in Czechia.
It is with the experienced gained from these events that Casey Jay now has his sights set on a full ERC 3 Championship campaign in 2026 alongside competing once more in the M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3 Trophy, a step up that Coleman is excited to make.
“It was a great year for the whole team, and we learned so much across the five events with driving experience, car set up and pace note perfection thanks to navigators Killian McArdle, Lorcan Moore, Michael Gilbey & Adam Coffey, but now its time to push on to the next level. Using the same Ford Fiesta Rally3 as last year to take on the full ERC 3 Championship along with the M-Sport Trophy again, its exciting to look ahead knowing I have experience on four of the events, and I look forward to those I haven’t competed on before!”
Experience is key for Coleman, as his planned ERC 3 Campaign will see him compete on eight rounds of the series, of which four will be brand new to the Irish driver as events like Royal Rally Scandinavia in Sweden, Rally Silesia in Poland, Rali Ceredigion in Wales and the Rally Five Cities in Portugal lie ahead across the season as well as rounds that he competed on in 2025.
Guiding Casey Jay across the season will be Killian McArdle, the pair reuniting full time having done selected events together in 2025 including sharing their very first ERC podium together on Rally di Roma Capitale. At just 24 years of age McArdle is a rising star aswell in the sport, having already navigated at World Championship level while also tasting success both nationally and internationally.
McArdle is excited for the season ahead “It’s a fantastic opportunity for myself and Casey Jay to go and compete as part of such a wonderful Championship as the ERC is, with a huge media presence and attention. I enjoyed the podium in Rome last year, but it will be even better to not only go back to events we have competed on before, but to have four new events at least to look forward to is great”.
CASEY JAY COLEMAN ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR 2026 ERC CAMPAIGN
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