THE boss of M-Sport Ford’s World Rally Team says Josh McErlean has been handed a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to show that he has what it takes to compete at rallying’s elite level.
McErlean – who will have a new navigator in Eoin Treacy next year as his outgoing co-driver James Fulton becomes part of the Toyota Challenge program sitting alongside Yuki Yamamoto – is going to be the team-mate to Luxembourgian Gregoire Munster in a second Puma Rally1 car.
The Kilrea man is making the step up from WRC2 – his most recent campaign coming in a Toksport World Rally Team-run Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 – with backing from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and its founder, John Coyne.
McErlean and fellow Irishman Treacy are set to tackle fourteen rallies across four continents and three different surfaces, starting with January’s curtain raising ice and tarmac Monte Carlo Rally.
A former Junior 1000 Rally and Junior British Rally champion, McErlean is the first person from the north since Dungannon’s Kris Meeke to agree terms on a factory-supported seat in the FIA World Rally Championship.
“M-Sport is renowned for giving opportunities to up-and-coming talents in the sport,” said Richard Millener, the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Principal, “and with the backing of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, that is exactly what we will be doing for Josh and Eoin.
“2025 is going to be a huge challenge for them both, but this is a once in a lifetime chance to show the world that they have what it takes to forge a career at the pinnacle of the sport.
“We need to continue to invest in new and emerging talent in the World Rally Championship; I am proud to be able to give another two guys the chance to do this,” continued Millener, who has worked with a host of big-name drivers in recent seasons, including multiple champions Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier, as well as Ott Tanak and former Ulster Rally winner Adrien Fourmaux.
“The targets and expectations for the year will be very sensible, but I know the team and all the Irish fans will be behind the pairing and this opportunity for them. I am looking forward to working with them and the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy to make this a positive season.”
For former Billy Coleman Award winner McErlean, climbing the rallying pyramid to arrive at this point in his career has always been the end goal having cut his teeth in an array of front-wheel-drive cars and in more recent times an array of R5- and Rally2-specification machines.
A new era.
— Josh McErlean (@JoshMcErlean5) December 19, 2024
A new challenge.
The chance of a lifetime.
I’m delighted to be driving for @MSportLtd in 2025, stepping into a Puma Rally1 for a full WRC campaign with @eoin_a_treacy by my side, thanks to the support of the @MIRallyAcademy
Our time is now.#MIRallyAcademy #WRC pic.twitter.com/BQXK70v2eq
“Joining M-Sport Ford next year to drive the Puma Rally1 in the World Rally Championship is truly a dream come true,” said the 25-year-old. “I have always aspired to compete at the highest level of motorsport, and now that opportunity is becoming a reality.
“I am incredibly excited to be working with such a professional and dedicated team, and Eoin and I are ready to give it everything.
“This is a massive step in my career, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved – Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, John Coyne, supporters, family, and the team – for making this possible. I cannot wait to get behind the wheel,” he added.
M-Sport Ford’s two point-scoring Puma Rally1 cars will go up against Toyota Gazoo Racing’s four car line-up comprising Elfyn Evans, Kalle Rovanpera, Takamoto Katsuta and new-recruit Sami Pajari, and Hyundai Motorsport’s three-car effort campaigned by new World Rally champion Thierry Neuville, Ott Tanak, and Adrien Fourmaux whose switch to the Korean manufacturer freed up the seat at M-Sport Ford for McErlean.
Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Founder John Coyne says he is excited to see what the season ahead has in store for two of Irish rallying’s brightest prospects.
“The Academy’s purpose is to identify and develop young Irish athletes to compete successfully at the highest levels of the World Rally Championship,” he said.
“As key members of our Academy development programme, Josh and Eoin have made tremendous progress in applying their natural talents and developing their skills. I am looking forward to continuing to guide and support their progress over the coming years at the top level of the sport.”