2016 European Rally Championship (ERC)

OPEL TO SUPPORT THREE YOUNG STARS IN ERC JUNIOR

Posted: February 3, 2016 9:25 AM

Opel will return to the FIA ERC Junior Championship in 2016 with young German drivers Marijan Griebel and Julius Tannert and Britain's Chris Ingram.

ERC Junior takes place over six rounds of the FIA European Rally Championship and is open to drivers born on or after 1 January 1989 competing in R2 cars on Pirelli tyres.

Emil Bergkvist won the ERC Junior crown in 2015 behind the wheel of a factory-backed Opel Adam R2, while his team-mate Griebel finished third in the category.

For 2016, Griebel will be joined under the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team banner by Tannert, whose drive is his prize for winning the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup last year. He also did rounds of ERC Junior in an Adam R2, finishing third in class on the Kenotek Ypres Rally just behind his new team-mate Griebel.

Ingram joins Opel as a third works driver in ERC Junior after strong performances over the past two seasons when he had support from Peugeot UK, placing fifth in the series in 2015 and winning the class on SATA Rallye Acores.

Griebel will welcome Belgian Lara Vanneste as his co-driver from SATA Rallye Acores in June, with Pirmin Winklhofer to partner him until then. Tannert continues with his regular navigator Jennifer Thielen from Luxembourg, while Ingram links up with Germany's Katrin Becker.

Opel Motorsport Director Jorg Schrott said:
"No one knows better than us how tremendously tough the competition in the ERC Junior Championship is. Of course, being the defending champion always brings a special pressure to succeed, but we have proved that we can deal with pressure. I am sure that with the Adam R2 and our driver pairings, Opel Motorsport will be counted on again in 2016."

Jean-Baptise Ley, the ERC Co-ordinator, said:
"We're delighted to welcome Opel Motorsport back to ERC Junior for a third season. They continue to set impressive standards and provide opportunities for young drivers to showcase their talents."

KAJETANOWICZ TO DEFEND ERC TITLE

Posted: January 20, 2016 7:35 AM

Reigning champion Kajetan Kajetanowicz will continue in the FIA European Rally Championship in 2016 when he attempts to defend the title he won for the first time last season.

Pole Kajetanowicz and co-driver Jarek Baran have confirmed their ERC assault in the same LOTOS Rally Team Ford Fiesta R5 they campaigned so successfully in 2015 when they won three rounds and claimed a further four podiums.

This season, Kajetanowicz will get to compete on home soil when the ERC returns to Poland for the first time since 2013 with Rally Rzeszowski hosting the action from 4-6 August. Kajetanowicz has won the asphalt event twice in the past during his stint in the Polish championship.

"The 2016 FIA ERC calendar looks even more exciting, not only because we have two rounds which are so close for the Polish fans," said Kajetanowicz, known by his fans as Kajto. "Again we can choose from 10 extremely diverse rallies. Each one gives me and Jarek a chance to develop ourselves, each one can make me a better driver and this is my goal.

"I am happy that I can work with the professionals who do not lack motivation. They believe in me, support me and I do not want to disappoint them. Our progress over the last few years was big but everyone who got to know the capabilities of LOTOS Rally Team is perfectly aware that we will pull out all the stops to do what we love in an even better way."

ERC Co-ordinator Jean-Baptiste Ley said:
"While the ERC provides the skills required to compete in the world championship, the serious competition in the ERC and the numerous benefits, such as the excellent television coverage on Eurosport and prize fund of 200,000 Euros, means drivers often embark on multi-year programmes. Kajto is no different and it's great news that he, Jarek and the LOTOS Rally Team have chosen the ERC for a third successive season. Confirmation of Kajto's participation also serves as the ultimate benchmark for drivers looking to make their mark by taking on and trying to beat the best."

The 2016 FIA European Rally Championship season begins at Rally Liepaja on 5-7 February.

SIX-FIGURE PRIZE MONEY PACKAGE CONFIRMED FOR 2016 ERC

Posted: January 20, 2016 5:57 AM

One of the biggest prize funds in international rallying has been confirmed for the 2016 FIA European Rally Championship ahead of the opening round in Latvia on 5-7 February.

ERC promoter Eurosport Events, in conjunction with various partners and stakeholders, will continue to offer financial rewards totalling 200,000 Euros for ERC registered drivers this season, with a total of 20,000 Euros available at each of the 10 events on the calendar.

As in 2015, the seven highest-placed eligible drivers in the final overall classification of each rally will be awarded prize money.

All drivers registered for the ERC using tyres from one of the championship's partner suppliers (Michelin and Pirelli) will be eligible, including those in ERC2 and ERC3.

Last year, 38 different drivers that competed in the ERC benefited from the prize fund.

ERC Co-ordinator Jean-Baptiste Ley said: "It takes a significant financial commitment to compete in a top-level championship such as the ERC and this substantial prize fund provision will go a long way towards helping some of those drivers on a restricted budget compete on more events and therefore grow their experience for the future." To be eligible for ERC prize money for the opening event of the season, Rally Liepaja, crews must register by 21 January. For information go to: https://registrations.fia.com/registrationrly.

Prize money distribution at ERC events in 2016:

First position: Eur 7000
Second position: Eur 5000
Third position: Eur 3000
Fourth position: Eur 2000
Fifth position: Eur 1000
Sixth position: Eur 1000
Seventh position: Eur 1000

PIRELLI APPOINTED AS SOLE TYRE SUPPLIER TO FIA ERC JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted: January 18, 2016 8:38 AM

Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli has signed a two-year agreement to exclusively supply tyres for the FIA European Junior Rally Championship after a competitive tender process.

Drivers will use the latest version of the Pirelli P Zero RK tyre for the asphalt rounds and the Scorpion K range for the gravel rounds, as also used on the World Rally Championship. The Sottozero Ice tyre will be used in the opening round: the Rally Liepaja in Latvia.

All of the tyres have been designed specifically for latest R2-specification cars and are used by some of the teams in both the FIA European Rally Championship and FIA World Rally Championship, where teams are able to choose their own tyre supplier.

The FIA ERC Junior Championship is designed for young drivers embarking on a career in international rallying. Drivers must be born on or after 1 January 1989 and compete in front-wheel-drive R2 cars using Pirelli tyres as standard in order to be eligible for ERC Junior, which attracted a 27-strong entry in 2015 and crowned Emil Bergkvist as its second champion.

The Junior series takes place across six ERC rounds on a variety of surfaces designed to test these young drivers. The champion will receive a prize drive in an R5 specification car on the 2016 ERC season-closing Cyprus Rally when it is hoped they will be able to showcase their talents and gain vital experience ahead of a full-time switch to the ERC's headlining ERC1 class the following season.

Pirelli Rally Activity Manager Terenzio Testoni said: "Helping young drivers reach the top has always been a key objective for Pirelli, as we have shown many times in the past with our support of different junior series in rallying, as well as the Pirelli Star driver programme. Concluding this important agreement to supply the FIA ERC Junior Championship - which gives young drivers valuable media exposure as well as some fantastic rallies - is now the latest chapter in this story."

ERC Co-ordinator Jean-Baptiste Ley said:
"We're delighted to continue and develop our collaboration with Pirelli inside ERC, a company that has such a rich heritage in rallying around the world. Pirelli understands the importance of helping young drivers to show how talented they are, which is entirely aligned with the target of Eurosport Events in the development of the ERC Junior Championship: one of the strongest competitions for young rally drivers on an international platform."

Pirelli tyres claimed the overall European Rally Championship this year, thanks to Polish driver Kajetan Kajetanowicz in a Ford Fiesta R5.

CALENDAR TWEAKS FOR 2016 ERC

Posted: December 26, 2015 4:19 AM

The dates of three rounds of the 2016 FIA European Rally Championship have been adjusted following the publication of the provisional calendar earlier this month.

Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Ingles will begin one day earlier than originally planned with the event now set to run from 10-12 March, while Rally Rzeszow is due to take place from 4-6 August rather than 5-7 August.

And, subject to FIA approval, the season-closing Cyprus Rally will be moved back from 23-25 September to 7-9 October so it runs in tandem with the FIA Middle East Championship round.

ERC Co-ordinator Jean-Baptiste Ley said:
"The calendar adjustments will help the organisers of the rallies in question to put on these world-class ERC events that we savour with greater ease. Plans to run the Cyprus Rally in October will help to ensure the participation of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship for the third consecutive year, which will, in turn, raise the spectacle and numbers of participants."

PIRELLI BECOMES OFFICIAL SUPPLIER OF FIA ERC JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted: December 17, 2015 11:20 AM

FIA European Rally Championship promoter Eurosport Events has joined forces with Pirelli to equip the next generation of driving talent.

Under a two-year agreement starting in 2016, Italian firm Pirelli will become the exclusive tyre supplier to the FIA ERC Junior Championship for young drivers embarking on a career in international rallying.

Drivers must be born on or after 1 January 1989 and compete in front-wheel-drive R2 cars using Pirelli tyres as standard in order to be eligible for ERC Junior, which attracted a 27-strong entry in 2015 and crowned Emil Bergkvist as its second champion. He followed on from Stephane Lefebvre, who claimed the inaugural title in 2014 and drove for Citroen in the 2015 World Rally Championship.

The series is held across six ERC rounds with three events taking place on loose surfaces and three on asphalt to help drivers learn essential skills and progress. The champion will receive a prize drive in an R5 specification car on the 2016 ERC season-closing Cyprus Rally when it is hoped they will be able to showcase their talents and gain vital experience ahead of a full-time switch to the ERC's headlining ERC1 class the following season. Bergkvist drove a Peugeot 208 T16 to fourth overall on the final round of this year's European championship to underline his enormous potential.

Pirelli will use its P Zero RK tyre for the asphalt rounds and the Scorpion K range for the gravel rounds. The Sottozero Ice tyre is likely to be used on the season-opening Rally Liepaja. All of the tyres have been designed specifically for latest R2-specification cars.

ERC Co-ordinator Jean-Baptiste Ley said:
"We're delighted to continue and develop our collaboration with Pirelli inside ERC, a company that has such a rich heritage in rallying around the world. Pirelli understands the importance of helping young drivers to show how talented they are, which is entirely aligned with the target of Eurosport Events in the development of the ERC Junior Championship: one of the strongest competitions for young rally drivers on an international platform."

Pirelli Product Manager Terenzio Testoni said:
"Helping young drivers reach the top has always been a key objective for Pirelli, as we have shown many times in the past with our support of different junior series in rallying, as well as the Pirelli Star driver programme. Concluding this important agreement to supply the FIA ERC Junior Championship - which gives young drivers valuable media exposure as well as some fantastic rallies - is now the latest chapter in this story."

Championship Rounds (Updated 26/12/15)

Posted: November 30, 2015 6:44 AM

1. Rally Liepaja (Latvia, gravel/ice/snow) (J) - 5-7 Feb 16
2. Rally Islas Canarias (asphalt) - 10-12 Mar 16
3. Circuit of Ireland Rally (Northern Ireland, asphalt) (J) - 7-9 Apr 16
4. Acropolis Rally (Greece, gravel) * - 6-8 May 16
5. Rallye Acores (Portugal, gravel) (J) - 2-4 Jun 16
6. Ypres Rally (Belgium, asphalt) (J) - 23-25 Jun 16
7. Rally Estonia (gravel) *=(J) - 15-17 Jul 16
8. Rajd Rzeszowski (Poland, asphalt) - 4-6 Aug 16
9. Czech Rally Zlin (Czech Republic, asphalt) (J) - 26-28 Aug 16
10. Cyprus Rally (gravel/asphalt) ** - 7-9 Oct 16

Reserve event
Rallye International du Valais (Switzerland, asphalt) - 20-22 Oct 16

(J) Indicates FIA ERC Junior Championship round
*Subject to signing of ERC Promoter agreement
**Subject to FIA approval

European Rally Championship (ERC) - fiaerc.com