The rapid Irishman was battling at the front of the hotly contested category in Poland last month, just a handful of seconds from the lead when he was forced to retire his Toksport World Rally Team Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 on the final day after an impact with a bale.
But McErlean and co-driver James Fulton are eager to put the Poland retirement behind them and concentrate on what lies ahead over the coming days. And that is more super high-speed gravel tests which favour the brave and those with the ultimate commitment.
McErlean feels confident after showing his hand in Poland and is eager to return to the sharp end of the WRC2 and WRC2 Challenger category.
“Looking back at Poland, it was really satisfying to see that we were right on the top pace,” he says.
“Of course, the outcome wasn’t what we had planned, and the final day mishap wiped out all chances of taking home some great championship points. But to be fighting at the sharp end on such a high speed and specialist event is immensely positive when you see the calibre of the WRC2 entry this season.”
The impressive speed shown throughout Rally Poland will serve as the perfect testbed for the upcoming Rally Latvia, the second of a triple-header of rapid gravel rallies, each requiring full commitment and inch-perfect precision.
“We can take away many good elements from Poland and we also know there is still plenty to work on to get everything more dialled into these faster rallies, it is really nice to know we can improve further.
“Toksport WRT and the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy have done an incredible job to turn things around ahead of next weekend and we are already looking forward to the test on Sunday (14 July).”
McErlean’s Latvian form is impressive too, taking fourth overall on the event in 2023 as part of the FIA European World Rally Championship, ensuring his sights are still set towards the front this time around. However, the approach will also concentrate on his WRC2 championship aspirations.
“We had a strong result last year in Latvia and that gave us a good understanding of the characteristics of the roads and how conditions of the stages can evolve. It’s going to be a new spectacle having this event in WRC which will also bring a few changes, but I’m really excited for the high-speed blast and it’s very much business as usual. Of course, we want to be near the front pace again, but a solid point-scoring finish is the ultimate target on Sunday afternoon”.
Tet Rally Latvia begins on Thursday 18 July with Shakedown and the opening super special stage, before a full day follows on Friday, the longest of the event. Just over 100km are on offer spread over eight stages on Saturday before the traditional four-stage blast to the finish on Sunday.
