Getting to know Lorcan Moore’s Romanian driver Reis Suliman

Getting to know Lorcan Moore’s Romanian driver Reis Suliman

Irish co-driver Lorcan Moore has teamed up with a fascinating new talent for the 2026 international season.

Sitting in the navigator’s seat of a Tagai Racing Technology Peugeot 208 Rally4, Moore will be guiding Romanian prospect Reis Suliman as they tackle the fiercely competitive FIA Junior ERC and ERC4 categories, beginning at this weekend’s BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia.

An accidental introduction to the stages

Born in January 2003, the 23-year-old Romanian didn’t grow up immersed in a traditional motorsport family. Instead, his path into the sport happened entirely by chance.

“I got into rallying almost by accident after discovering it on YouTube when I was 15, so I never really grew up following the sport,” Suliman admits.

Despite the late start, it didn’t take him long to make an impact. He made his competitive debut at the Romanian Rally Bacău in 2021 behind the wheel of a Suzuki Swift Sport, instantly turning heads by securing a surprise second-place finish in the rookie category.

From there, his career accelerated quickly. By 2024, he was crowned the Romanian Gravel Front-Wheel-Drive Champion, following that up in 2025 by finishing the season as the Romanian Junior vice-champion.

Taking the European leap

For 2026, Suliman and Moore are stepping onto the biggest stage of their careers so far. Making his  ERC debut, Suliman views the move to Europe as the ultimate proving ground for his professional development.

“I chose the ERC because it is the highest level of rallying in Europe outside the World Rally Championship, and I felt it was the right next step for my development,” Suliman explains. “The competition is extremely strong, the rallies are very demanding, and it gives me the opportunity to learn from and compete against some of the best young drivers in Europe.”

Stepping up to Hankook-shod Rally4 machinery on completely unfamiliar terrain across Europe is a daunting task, but the young driver is keeping a level head regarding his expectations.

“My main target this season is to gain experience, improve rally by rally, and become more competitive throughout the year. Of course, I also want to achieve strong results, but the focus is on development and building a solid foundation for the future.”

He is acutely aware that working with Moore in the cockpit will be central to mastering the steep learning curve.

“I am hoping to learn how to adapt faster to different rallies, surfaces, and conditions, while also improving my pace notes, consistency, and overall approach to professional rallying. The ERC is a huge learning environment both inside and outside the car.”

Adrenaline, blacksmithing, and Middle-earth

Away from the intense pressure of the European stages, Suliman is a character of diverse and surprising interests. If he hadn’t discovered rally cars on the internet as a teenager, he likely would have pursued a career on two wheels instead of four.

“If I weren’t a rally driver, I would probably continue with downhill mountain biking,” he says. “I really enjoy the adrenaline and commitment it requires, and I think it has similarities to rallying in the way you read terrain and react quickly.”

Even when he is trying to switch off, motorsport is never far from his mind, joking that his free time is easily filled: “I watch rally onboards, play rally sims, and think about rally.”

However, he does possess a couple of distinctive hobbies completely detached from the service park. He is an avid practitioner of traditional blacksmithing, and he harboUrs a massive passion for cinema specifically epic fantasy.

“I’m into blacksmithing and I love the Lord of the Rings movies, which I’ve watched over 20 times,” Suliman laughs. “The extended versions, obviously.”

Looking forward, Suliman has his sights set on the absolute pinnacle of the sport, with a clear five-year plan to guide him and Moore toward the top.

 “In five years I hope to be competing regularly at a very high international level, fighting for strong results in major championships and continuing to grow as a driver. The long-term dream is to establish myself among the top drivers in international rallying.”

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