McErlean stays focused on Japan after Fafe stage win
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Derry driver Josh McErlean and Cork co-driver Eoin Treacy are looking ahead to Japan after a dramatic weekend at Rally de Portugal that saw the pair secure their first-ever WRC Rally1 stage win.
The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crew endured a roller-coaster event in their M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1. After starting strongly on Thursday, the pair lead the M-Sport challenge into Friday, where they were the fastest Puma crew through the morning loop.
However, a sensor issue led to a 50-second road penalty, followed by a punishing Saturday afternoon. A spin on the Amarante stage cost three minutes, and a heavy impact with a concrete wall during the rain-soaked Lousada Super Special forced an early retirement for the night.
The M-Sport mechanics worked through the night to repair the car, allowing the Derry-Cork duo to return on Sunday morning. They rewarded the team’s effort immediately, setting the fastest Rally1 time through the first pass of the legendary Fafe stage. McErlean held the overall lead of the rally for much of the morning, only losing the outright stage win when the road dried for a later runner.
Despite a puncture in the final Power Stage, the pair reached the finish in Porto having gained vital seat time in the top-flight machinery.
“Overall, it’s been a really demanding but positive weekend for us,” said McErlean. “It’s been incredibly competitive out there with plenty of ups and downs across the four days, but I think we can take a lot away from it. We showed some really encouraging pace at times, especially considering the conditions and how tough the rally became on the second pass through the stages.”
“We nearly secured the overall stage win today in Fafe but we will certainly take the Rally1 fastest time. To be fighting right at the front on a stage like that, against the best drivers in the world, gives us a lot of confidence and shows the progress we’re making.”
The focus now shifts to the Tarmac of Japan as the learning curve continues.
“The important thing is that we kept pushing, kept learning and never gave up. Every rally in the Rally1 car is still a huge learning experience for us, and weekends like this help build confidence and understanding. We’re continuing to improve our pace, especially across changing conditions, and we’re starting to put more complete weekends together.
“Japan is next, and we’re really looking forward to getting back onto Tarmac before the run of summer gravel rallies. It’s another event where the experience will be important, and hopefully we can keep building momentum and carry the positives from Portugal into the next round.”
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