Junior ERC stars celebrate long waits ending, big wins and big brains

Podium pride as Polášek’s wait ends: At his 15th attempt, Daniel Polášek (pictured above) became a Junior ERC podium finisher after he placed third in the Hankook-equipped category on Rally Silesia. “It’s a good feeling to finish first time on the podium,” said the Czech talent. “Many times I was close but this time is a really good feeling.”

Johansson’s jump of joy: Junior ERC champion Mille Johansson (pictured above) stepped up to FIA ERC3 on Rally Silesia and promptly won the Rally3 category by going fastest on all 13 stages he tackled. “It’s been quite tricky for me coming from a two-wheel drive to a four-wheel drive and what tyres you should use, and it’s not been easy with this weather. We’ve made some decent decisions and the pace has been good. I have more to give and thanks to Hankook and IK Sport we was able to be here and do this rally, which was really fun with a lot of learning as well.”

Pesavento at the double: After banking a Junior ERC career-best fourth on JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion last month, ACI Team Italia’s Davide Pesavento (pictured aboce) repeated the feat in Poland to end his maiden campaign at European level on a high. “We learn, we improve and we enjoy,” said Pesavento, who turns 23 on Friday.

Call on Calle: Opel Corsa Rally4-driving Calle Carlberg (pictured above) hopes his breakthrough Junior ERC victory on Rally Silesia will put him in the shop window for a 2025 drive. “After Wales I had to refocus because the focus had been on only one thing this year, which was to win the title,” the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team driver said. “I tried to do as good as I could at the end of the season to earn myself a seat for next year so I’m super-thankful for everything and super-happy. With four out of six podiums we’ve shown we can be very consistent.”

McRae’s brain power: While second place in the final standings eluded Scotland’s big hope, Max McRae (pictured above), proved he’s fast and clever. “Obviously we wanted to win but we wanted to use our brain as well, we wanted to finish the rally and finish the year on a high,” the TRT Rally Team driver said after finishing one place behind Calle Carlberg on Rally Silesia and in the final championship ranking.