Here are the nominees for the ERC Drive of the Year for 2024 and a reminder once again that voting is available by following the ERC’s social media channels.
Alejandro Cachón, Rally Islas Canarias
Georg Linnamäe, SS14, Delfi Rally Estonia
Hayden Paddon, JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion
Dominik Stříteský, SS8, Barum Czech Rally Zlin
Alejandro Cachón, Rally Islas Canarias
Making his ERC return on Rally Islas Canarias in May, Cachón (top) won a thrilling all-Spanish battle for the final podium spot in his Pirelli-shod Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, defeating Diego Ruiloba by 2.7sec after starting leg two in ninth position and 18sec third place. Cachón had led outright after SS4 but dropped down the order with a damaged tyre before he launched his stunning comeback.
Georg Linnamäe, SS14, Delfi Rally Estonia
Home hero Georg Linnamäe (above) reversed a 9.3sec deficit starting the event-deciding Power Stage to win his home round of the ERC in July. Linnamäe looked to have lost out on first place to friend and compatriot Robert Virves following a flat-out battle between the pair on Delfi Rally Estonia’s high-speed gravel stages. But the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 driver’s choice of soft-compound Michelin tyres for the Power Stage, which was held in treacherous conditions, proved inspired. He went 11.5sec quicker than Virves to take the win by 2.2sec in a thrilling finale.
Hayden Paddon, JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion
Paddon (above) became the seventh different winner in seven ERC rounds with a JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion victory as dominant as it was stunning. The Pirelli-equipped BRC Racing Team driver, who strengthened his bid for back-to-back ERC titles as a result, led the spectacular Tarmac event from start to finish, winning all but one stage on the opening leg and coming out on top 1min 47.3sec alongside co-driver John Kennard. Even when the onset of rain made for slippery conditions and changeable grip levels through SS13, Paddon maintained his composure aboard his Hyundai i20 Rally2 and added the Power Stage win – and five bonus points – to his list of impressive achievements in Wales.
Dominik Stříteský, SS8, Barum Czech Rally Zlin
Rising star Stříteský’s breakthrough ERC victory on his home event in August (above) wasn’t just about his stunning performance in the rain of SS8 but it was certainly a decisive factor in the outcome of another epic edition of this European championship mainstay. Torrential rain had made the 13.19km Rajnochovice test even more challenging than normal, particularly for early runners like Erik Cais, who gave away chunks of time on hard-compound tyres. With a mixture of soft- and medium-compound Hankook covers fitted to his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, Stříteský went a whole 41.9sec than Cais to complete leg one leading Simon Wagner by 21.1sec.
ERC championship manager Iain Campbell said: “We’re really pleased to have brought back the ERC fan awards for 2024. They’ve proved really popular since we introduced them in 2022 and it’s great to give the fans the opportunity to have their say. From looking at the list of nominees I can see the voting being really close and I look forward to seeing the final results.”
Voting for all four fan awards remains open until midnight CET on 1 October. Follow the ERC’s social media channels to make your selections.
The winners of all four fan votes will be announced during the ERC Awards night in Poland on 14 October.
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