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Josh McErlean

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Josh McErlean
McErlean competing in the 2023 Central European Rally
Personal information
NationalityRepublic of Ireland Irish
Born (1999-07-16) 16 July 1999 (age 25)
Kilrea, Northern Ireland[1]
World Rally Championship record
Active years2019–present
Co-driverEoin Treacy
TeamsM-Sport Ford WRT
Rallies28
Championships0
Rally wins0
Podiums0
Stage wins1
Total points8
First rally2019 Wales Rally GB
Last rally2025 Monte Carlo Rally

Josh McErlean (born 16 July 1999) is an Irish rally driver who currently competes in the World Rally Championship for M-Sport Ford WRT.

Rally career

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Early years

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McErlean made his rally debut in 2014.[2] He and cousin Thomas entered the Junior Turkey Run in Northern Ireland and won on their first start, having driven a Peugeot 107.[3] McErlean drove a full season of the Junior 1000 Rally Challenge in Northern Ireland in 2015, taking the title alongside his cousin with four rally victories.[4][5] The pair returned to defend their title and duly repeated their feat, in addition to winning the Junior 1000 series in Great Britain, where they won six of their eight entered events.[6][7]

In 2017, McErlean joined the British Rally Championship at the wheel of a Citroën C2 R2 Max, though reliability issues plagued his campaign and he finished ninth in the junior class standings.[8][9] Having made a sole start in a Ford Fiesta R2T in July 2017, McErlean drove the car for the entirety of the 2018 season, which he finished 11th in the British Junior class with a sole class podium at the Ypres Rally.[10][11]

The Irishman switched cars again for 2019, piloting a Peugeot 208 R2 in the British Championship. McErlean drove a strong season, winning his class at the West Cork Rally, Pirelli International Rally, and Ulster Rally and clinching the junior title a round early, whilst also claiming third in the overall standings.[12][13] With the help of Hyundai, McErlean was able to make his WRC debut, competing in the Wales Rally GB with the i20 R5.[14] He and co-driver Keaton Williams retired on stage six with a mechanical failure.[15]

Tenure with Motorsport Ireland

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With full support by Motorsport Ireland, McErlean was scheduled to enter the British Rally Championship with Hyundai, however the season was cancelled after just one round as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[16][17] McErlean went on to compete in the final two rounds of the European Rally Championship, before partaking in the Rally Monza in a WRC3 entry.[18][19] McErlean and Williams finished seventh in class.[20]

At the start of 2021, McErlean was inducted into the Hyundai Motorsport junior driver programme.[21][22] After finishing third overall in the Olympus Rally in the US, McErlean took fifth place at his first WRC3 appearance of the year in Portugal.[23][24][25] The other three rounds, which McErlean contested alongside James Fulton, yielded two further top five finishes, including a third place at the Rally Catalunya.[26] He finished ninth in the drivers' standings.[27]

McErlean stepped up to the WRC2 in 2022, continuing on with Hyundai and Fulton.[28][29] The season proved challenging, as McErlean only scored a sole top ten finish in Estonia.[30] Nevertheless, McErlean remained at Hyundai in 2023. He began the year by making his debut at the Monte Carlo Rally alongside new co-driver John Rowan, though an exhaust issue on the second day put him out of contention.[31] The pair withdrew from their next scheduled event in Croatia as a mark of respect for marque colleague and compatriot Craig Breen, who had been killed during a pre-event test.[32] McErlean bounced back with a strong drive to seventh in class in Portugal, before reuniting with former co-driver Fulton from the ERC round in Latvia onwards.[33][34] McErlean progressed to 26th in the WRC2 standings with three points results, while also scoring a season-best fourth at the Latvia ERC event.[35][36]

In 2024, he signed for Toksport to drive a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 in the WRC2.[37] McErlean began his campaign by claiming his maiden podium — a second place in Portugal — and fighting for a podium again at the Rally Italia Sardegna before a puncture took him out of contention.[38] McErlean also fought for the top positions in Poland until he crashed during the penultimate stage.[39] During their remaining four championship-listed rallies, McErlean and Fulton never finished outside the top eight, with a best result of fifth coming in Central Europe. They also contested the Rally Japan whilst not listed for points.[40][41] In the WRC2 standings, McErlean finished ninth.[42]

WRC full-timer

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In December 2024 it was announced that McErlean and Fulton would join Grégoire Munster to drive for M-Sport Ford World Rally Team in the Rally1 class of the 2025 WRC season.[43]

Rally results

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British Junior Rally Championship results

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Year Entrant Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pos. Points
2017 Macsport Rally Team Citroën C2 R2 BRC
Ret 		PIR
Ret 		SCO
7 		YPR ULS
Ret 		IOM 9th 6
MH Motorsport Ford Fiesta R2T NGS
Ret
2018 MH Motorsport Ford Fiesta R2T PIR
Ret 		YPR
2 		ULS
Ret 		WAL 11th 18
2019 Macsport Rally Team Peugeot 208 R2 CAM
4 		WCR
1 		PIR
1 		YPR
4 		ULS
1 		GHR 1st 104

WRC results

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Year Entrant Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pos. Points
2019 Josh McErlean Hyundai i20 R5 MON SWE MEX FRA ARG CHL POR ITA FIN GER TUR GBR
Ret 		ESP AUS
C 		NC 0
2020 Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Hyundai i20 R5 MON SWE MEX EST TUR ITA MNZ
17 		NC 0
2021 Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Hyundai i20 R5 MON ARC CRO POR
17 		ITA KEN EST BEL
12 		GRE FIN ESP
17 		MNZ
19 		NC 0
2022 Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Hyundai i20 N Rally2 MON SWE
29 		CRO POR
40 		ITA
28 		KEN EST
19 		FIN
34 		BEL
Ret 		GRE NZL ESP
21 		JPN NC 0
2023 Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Hyundai i20 N Rally2 MON
57 		SWE MEX CRO POR
12 		ITA
15 		KEN EST
16 		FIN
19 		GRE CHL EUR
44 		JPN NC 0
2024 Toksport WRT 2 Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 MON SWE KEN CRO POR
9 		ITA
13 		POL
Ret 		LAT
21 		FIN
12 		GRE
9 		CHL EUR
11 		JPN
30 		27th 2
2025 M-Sport Ford WRT Ford Puma Rally1 MON
7 		SWE KEN ESP POR ITA GRE EST FIN PAR CHL EUR JPN SAU 7th* 6*

* Season still in progress.

WRC-2 results

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Year Entrant Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Pos. Points
2022 Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Hyundai i20 N Rally2 MON SWE
13 		CRO POR
19 		ITA
20 		KEN EST
8 		FIN
13 		BEL
Ret 		GRE NZL ESP
11 		JPN 45th 4
2023 Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Hyundai i20 N Rally2 MON
22 		SWE MEX CRO POR
7 		ITA
10 		KEN EST
8 		FIN
12 		GRE CHL EUR
19 		JPN 26th 11
2024 Toksport WRT 2 Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 MON SWE KEN CRO POR
2 		ITA
8 		POL
Ret 		LAT
8 		FIN
6 		GRE
6 		CHL EUR
5 		JPN 9th 50

* Season still in progress.

WRC-3 results

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Year Entrant Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Pos. Points
2020 Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Hyundai i20 R5 MON SWE MEX EST TUR ITA MNZ
7 		26th 6
2021 Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Hyundai i20 R5 MON ARC CRO POR
5 		ITA KEN EST BEL
5 		GRE FIN ESP
3 		MNZ
6 		9th 46

ERC results

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Year Entrant Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Pos. Points
2020 Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Hyundai i20 R5 ITA LAT PRT HUN
11 		ESP
19 		30th 5
2021 Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Hyundai i20 R5 POL LAT ITA
Ret 		CZE PRT1 PRT2 HUN ESP NC 0
2023 Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Hyundai i20 N Rally2 PRT
19 		CAN POL
7 		LAT
4 		SWE
31 		ITA CZE
12 		HUN
Ret 		13th 39

References

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  1. ^ Gray, Andy (19 December 2024). "McErlean to make 'dream' WRC debut with M-Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  2. ^ "Josh McErlean". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  3. ^ Shacki. "Josh McErlean - Thomas McErlean - Junior Turkey Run 2014". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  4. ^ Shacki. "Season 2015 rally - eWRC-results". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  5. ^ "Josh McErlean shines on Kirkistown return". Belfast News Letter. 2016-01-25. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  6. ^ Shacki. "Season 2016 rally - eWRC-results". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  7. ^ Shacki. "Season 2016 rally - eWRC-results". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  8. ^ Batey, Steven (2017-06-10). "McErlean To Drive MH Motorsport Fiesta On Nicky Grist Stages". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  9. ^ Shacki. "Season 2017 rally - eWRC-results". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  10. ^ Shacki. "Season 2018 rally - eWRC-results". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  11. ^ Shacki. "Final results Renties Ypres Rally 2018". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  12. ^ Shacki. "Great Britain Junior 2019 - eWRC-results". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  13. ^ Shacki. "Great Britain 2019 - eWRC-results". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  14. ^ Craig, Jason (11 September 2019). "Wales Rally GB 2019 spot for McErlean". pressreader.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  15. ^ Shacki. "Josh McErlean - Keaton Williams - Wales Rally GB 2019". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  16. ^ "Josh McErlean: Junior champion secures 'dream' BRC move". BBC Sport. 2020-01-09. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  17. ^ "British Rally Championship announces plans for 2020". BRC. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  18. ^ McMullan, Michael (2020-08-06). "Kilrea's Josh McErlean produces Italian masterclass at Rally di Alba". www.derrynow.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  19. ^ "Rally Monza 2020 Entry List". acirallymonza.com. Monza Rally Show. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  20. ^ Shacki. "Josh McErlean - Keaton Williams - ACI Rally Monza 2020". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  21. ^ "Probite British Rally Championship | McErlean lands Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Junior Driver place". Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  22. ^ Gray, Andy (8 March 2021). "Josh McErlean says Hyundai Junior driver deal 'is only the beginning'". BBC. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  23. ^ Shacki. "Final results Olympus Rally 2021". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  24. ^ Barry, Luke (2021-07-07). "The ARA driver fostering WRC talent". DirtFish. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  25. ^ "Josh McErlain set for world rally return in Portugal". Belfast News Letter. 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  26. ^ Shacki. "Josh McErlean - James Fulton - RallyRACC Catalunya - Costa Daurada 2021". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  27. ^ Shacki. "Season 2021 rally - eWRC-results". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  28. ^ "Josh McErlean: NI driver steps up to WRC2 campaign". BBC Sport. 2022-01-27. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  29. ^ "Josh McErlean impresses to earn new Hyundai deal". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2022-03-08. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  30. ^ Shacki. "Season 2022 rally - eWRC-results". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  31. ^ "Kilrea driver Josh McErlean makes an impressive Rallye Monte Carlo debut". The Irish News. 2023-01-25. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  32. ^ "Josh McErlean withdraws from Croatia Rally as mark of respect for late Craig Breen". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2023-04-19. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  33. ^ Barry, Luke (2023-05-22). "Ireland's leading talent has shown his hand". DirtFish. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  34. ^ Barry, Luke (2023-06-07). "Fulton back with McErlean for Latvia ERC round". DirtFish. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  35. ^ Shacki. "Season 2023 rally - eWRC-results". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  36. ^ "McErlean back With ERC & WRC Outings". www.rallyfish.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  37. ^ Gray, Andy (11 March 2024). "World Rally Championship: 'Huge step' for Josh McErlean in Skoda WRC2 switch". BBC. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  38. ^ Barry, Luke (2024-07-16). "The secrets to McErlean's sudden WRC2 success". DirtFish. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  39. ^ Shacki. "Josh McErlean - James Fulton - ORLEN Rally Poland 2024". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  40. ^ "Josh McErlean: WRC2 appearance in Japan a 'sensational opportunity'". The Irish News. 2024-10-28. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  41. ^ "McErlean ready to seize Japan opportunity". wrc.com. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  42. ^ Shacki. "Season 2024 rally - eWRC-results". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  43. ^ "Done deal: Irishman Josh McErlean joins M-Sport Ford in WRC". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
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