Carlberg Dominates Opening day of Junior ERC Rally
MAY 11, 2024 – Ola Jr. Carlberg,representing the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team,showcased a commanding performance on the opening day of the Junior ERC rally. Carlberg secured the fastest time in the Hankook-equipped category across all six stages, establishing a important lead over his competitors.
Fierce Competition Highlights Junior ERC
The Junior ERC is proving too be exceptionally competitive, with the top three drivers piloting different Rally4 cars. Carlberg leads in his Opel Corsa Rally4, followed by Jaspar Vaher in a Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF, and Ioan lloyd in a Peugeot 208 Rally4, showcasing the diversity and tight competition within the category. Vaher’s participation marks the international debut of the Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF.
Carlberg Remains Cautious Despite Strong Start
“It’s super-tough so I’m super-happy, six out of six stage wins couldn’t have been better,” Carlberg said, reflecting on his performance. Despite his dominant showing, the junior ERC runner-up from last season remains focused: “But simultaneously occurring the job is not done. We know it’s an even tougher day tomorrow that waits for us,so we just have to prepare as good as possible to maximise the chances.”
Lancia returns to ERC: Vaher debuts Ypsilon HF at Rally Hungary
NYÍREGYHÁZA, Hungary — Lancia’s highly anticipated return to the European Rally Championship (ERC) after two decades sees Estonian driver Vaher making his international debut in the Lancia ypsilon HF at rally Hungary.Vaher is actively learning the vehicle with limited testing, highlighting the brand’s prestige.
Lloyd Completes Overnight Podium Despite Challenges
Welshman Lloyd secured a spot on the overnight podium, overcoming bumper damage sustained during the rally’s second stage and an overshoot on Friday evening. Lloyd emphasized the rally’s demanding nature and the need for a clean approach.
Hansen, Raftery, Doretto, and Kauppinen Chase Leaders
Victor Hansen holds fourth position overnight, closely followed by Aoife Raftery and Matteo Doretto. Finn Tuukka Kauppinen, after recovering from an earlier setback on SS6, continues his pursuit. Maxim Decock, Leevi Lassila, and Sergi Pérez round out the top ten as the rally progresses.
Rough Conditions Take toll on Opening Leg
Tire damage proved a significant challenge during the rally’s opening leg, impacting several competitors, including Decock, Lassila, and Pérez. Drivers are battling to overcome the tough terrain.
Rovanperä Sets the Pace at Rally Islas Canarias, Title Rivals Face Early Hurdles
LAS PALMAS, Canary Islands — Kalle Rovanperä showcased his dominance on the opening day of Rally Islas Canarias, seizing the lead while title contenders faced setbacks. The Toyota Gazoo Racing driver navigated the challenging asphalt stages with precision, establishing a strong foothold in the competition.
Early Lead for Rovanperä Amidst Fierce Competition
Rovanperä’s remarkable performance saw him build a lead of 9.1 seconds by the end of the day. The Finn’s consistent speed across the stages has positioned him as the driver to beat. Teammate Jan Solans secured second position, trailing Rovanperä. The rally is far from over and is expected to provide a challenging terrain as drivers vie for the podium finish.
Setbacks for Key Contenders
Championship rivals faced various challenges during the day.Simone Tempestini suffered a puncture on SS3 of Rally Islas Canarias. This significantly impacted their stage time.
Other Noteworthy Events
Newcomer Kevin Lempu experienced a halfshaft failure near the end of SS4, resulting in a late arrival and penalties.Lempu is currently 11th overnight.
Looking Ahead
Rally Islas Canarias promises more excitement as the competition intensifies. Drivers will need to balance speed and strategy to conquer the demanding stages and vie for victory.
Carlberg Leads Junior ERC and ERC4 Amidst Grueling Rally Hungary
VESZPRÉM, Hungary (May 10, 2025) — The ERC Staff House Rally hungary will conclude Sunday after a challenging second leg that saw multiple retirements and shake-ups in the standings. Carlberg leads both the Junior ERC and ERC4 categories as the rally heads into its final six stages,covering 82.26 timed kilometers. The day begins with the 15.34-kilometer Iszka test at 9:27 a.m. local time.
Attrition takes Its Toll
Several drivers faced setbacks during the rally’s first leg. Junior ERC rookie Cristian Sugár experienced a damaged front-left tyre on Special Stage 2 after reporting a misfire on Friday. Despite stopping to change the tire,Sugár later retired on SS7. minhea Hanea, artur Luca, Luca Pröglhöf, Keelan Grogan, and Craig Rahill also did not finish the first leg but are slated to restart Sunday. Tomasso Sandrin, Mark-Egert Tiits, and Francesco Dei Ceci have officially retired from the rally.
Kässer’s Hopes Dented
Tom Kässer, competing in ERC4, damaged the front of his Peugeot after a heavy landing, which led to rising engine temperatures. He was forced to retire after five stages.
Kreuter Relishes the Challenge
Norman Kreuter, returning to the ERC4 category after a year, described the stages as “a lot of fun and very rough.” Despite the demanding conditions, he noted his car was well-suited for the challenge. Kreuter, a German Master ERC contender, currently sits 12th among ERC4-registered drivers.
what impact did tyre damage have on the overall results of the Rally Hungary opening leg?
Carlberg Dominates Junior ERC rally: Q&A
Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways from the thrilling Junior ERC rally, answering your burning questions and providing some insider insights!
Q&A
Who is Ola Jr. carlberg and why is everyone talking about him?
Ola Jr. Carlberg, driving for the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team, is the star of the show! He absolutely dominated Day 1 of the Junior ERC Rally, winning all six stages.He’s the runner-up from last season, so he’s definitely one too watch.
What’s the Junior ERC all about?
The Junior ERC (European Rally Championship) is a competitive racing series featuring young, upcoming drivers. Its known for intense competition and showcases future rally champions.
What cars are being used in the Junior ERC Rally?
The top three drivers are using different Rally4 cars: Carlberg’s Opel Corsa Rally4, Vaher’s Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF, and Lloyd’s Peugeot 208 Rally4.The Lancia Ypsilon HF’s appearance marks its international debut.
What’s the deal with Lancia’s return to ERC?
Lancia, a legendary name in rally racing, is making a comeback to the ERC after a two-decade absence. Estonian driver Jaspar Vaher is debuting the Lancia Ypsilon HF at Rally Hungary, adding extra excitement and prestige to the event.
What challenges did drivers face during the opening leg?
Tire damage was a major issue, impacting several competitors. The rough terrain and demanding stages tested the drivers and their cars from the start.
Where is Rally Islas Canarias?
Rally Islas Canarias takes place in the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the coast of Northwest Africa. It’s known for its challenging asphalt stages.
Who are the main contenders in the Rally Islas Canarias?
Kalle Rovanperä dominated the opening day, followed by teammate Jan Solans. Championship rivals like Simone Tempestini faced setbacks.
What happened to Kevin Lempu in Rally Islas Canarias?
Kevin Lempu, a newcomer, experienced a halfshaft failure, causing a late arrival and penalties. He’s currently further down the standings.
What is happening in the ERC Staff House Rally Hungary?
The ERC Staff House Rally Hungary is a grueling event with high attrition.carlberg leads both Junior ERC and ERC4 categories after the first leg, with several drivers facing retirements and setbacks due to challenging conditions.
Is there any notable data on the ERC4 category?
Yes, Tom Kässer had to retire due to damage to the front of his Peugeot after a heavy landing. norman Kreuter, a German Master ERC contender, is enjoying the rough conditions. The ERC4 category is a part of the ERC,where competitors drive vehicles with specific technical regulations.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Junior ERC and ERC rallies as these young talents battle it out on the track!
