Northern Ireland’s Josh McErlean says it will be a “special feeling” to compete at Rally Finland in the World Rally Championship, as the talented young driver prepares to tackle one of motorsport’s most challenging and prestigious events. The 25-year-old from Derry has emerged as one of the most promising talents in world rallying, culminating in his recent announcement as part of M-Sport Ford’s 2025 Rally1 lineup. However, before that career-defining step, McErlean was focused on maximizing his opportunities in the 2024 WRC2 championship, with Rally Finland representing a crucial opportunity to demonstrate his pace and consistency on one of the calendar’s most demanding stages.
The Derry man is aiming to bounce back from consecutive eighth place finishes as he sought to build momentum in his partnership with Toksport World Rally Team and their Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. The Finnish forests have long been considered the ultimate test of a rally driver’s skill, speed, and commitment, making it an ideal venue for McErlean to showcase the qualities that have marked him out as a future star of the sport.
The significance of Rally Finland in McErlean’s career trajectory cannot be overstated. As one of the fastest and most technical events on the World Rally Championship calendar, success in the Finnish forests has historically served as a stepping stone for drivers aspiring to reach the highest levels of international rallying. For McErlean, the 2024 edition of Rally Finland represented more than just another championship round; it was an opportunity to prove that his breakthrough performances earlier in the season were no fluke and that he possessed the complete skill set necessary for long-term success in world championship competition.
The Road to Rally Finland: McErlean’s 2024 Season Journey
Josh McErlean’s 2024 campaign with Toksport World Rally Team marked a significant evolution in his rally career, representing his most professional and well-supported effort to date. Josh McErlean/James Fulton of Škoda Motorsport supported team Toksport WRT miss WRC2 victory at fifth round of the FIA World Rally Championship by a whisker, with their sensational second place finish at Rally Portugal serving as the breakthrough moment that announced McErlean as a serious championship contender.
The partnership with Toksport and Škoda Motorsport provided McErlean with access to top-level equipment, technical support, and the kind of professional environment necessary to compete consistently at the sharp end of WRC2 competition. The young Irish pilot Josh McErlean longed for a career move. And it seems that he has managed to do so thanks to his engagement with the Toksport WRT team behind the wheel of the Fabia RS Rally2, demonstrating how the right combination of driver talent and professional support can unlock previously untapped potential.
The season had not been without its challenges, however. Since then, his programs have had WRC2 (and WRC3 when that was still for non-factory Rally2 drivers in 2021) as their nucleus, and included flashes of brilliance like that aforementioned overall stage win. But such is the competitiveness of the class, he’s never quite managed to step forward into the limelight. The 2024 season represented McErlean’s opportunity to finally establish himself as a consistent front-runner rather than just an occasional podium threat.
His preparation for Rally Finland came against the backdrop of consecutive eighth-place finishes that had left him hungry to return to the form that had delivered that stunning second place in Portugal. The Finnish event would provide the perfect opportunity to demonstrate that his early-season heroics were indicative of his true pace rather than a fortunate one-off performance.
Rally Finland: The Ultimate Test of Speed and Precision
The 2024 Rally Finland (also known as the Secto Rally Finland 2024) was a motor racing event for rally cars that was held over four days from 1 to 4 August 2024. It marked the seventy-third running of the Rally Finland, and was the ninth round of the 2024 World Rally Championship, World Rally Championship-2 and World Rally Championship-3. The event’s reputation as one of the most demanding tests in world rallying stems from its unique combination of extreme speeds, technical challenges, and the unforgiving nature of the Finnish forest roads.
The characteristics that make Rally Finland so challenging also create the perfect environment for talented drivers to showcase their abilities. The smooth gravel roads allow for sustained high-speed driving, while the numerous jumps, crests, and blind corners demand absolute commitment and precision from competitors. The margin for error is minimal, and the consequences of mistakes can be severe, creating a competitive environment that rewards only the most skilled and committed drivers.
For McErlean, Rally Finland represented both an opportunity and a challenge. His natural speed and technical ability made him well-suited to the demands of the Finnish stages, but the event’s reputation for punishing even minor errors meant that he would need to find the perfect balance between attack and caution. The ability to maintain high speeds while managing risk has long been considered one of the defining characteristics of truly elite rally drivers.
The 2024 edition of Rally Finland would be contested over twenty special stages, covering a total competitive distance of 305.69 kilometers. This format provided ample opportunity for drivers to demonstrate their pace and consistency while testing their ability to maintain performance levels over a grueling four-day competition. For McErlean and his co-driver James Fulton, the challenge would be to maximize their speed while avoiding the pitfalls that have claimed so many promising rallies in the Finnish forests.
Technical Preparation and Strategic Approach
McErlean’s preparation for Rally Finland reflected the professional approach that had characterized his 2024 campaign with Toksport. The team’s access to Škoda Motorsport’s technical support and data resources provided crucial advantages in preparing for the unique challenges presented by the Finnish stages. Understanding suspension setup, differential configurations, and aerodynamic packages specifically optimized for high-speed gravel conditions became essential elements in the quest for competitive performance.
The Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 had proven itself to be exceptionally well-suited to the demands of high-speed rallying throughout the 2024 season. The car’s balance of power, handling, and reliability made it a formidable weapon in the hands of skilled drivers, while its proven development history provided teams with extensive setup data and technical knowledge accumulated over years of world championship competition.
Co-driver James Fulton’s role in Rally Finland preparation was equally crucial, as the event’s pace note requirements demand exceptional precision and clarity. The ability to communicate complex corner combinations, jump approaches, and hazard warnings at sustained high speeds requires a unique skill set that Fulton had developed through years of experience at international level. His partnership with McErlean had evolved significantly throughout 2024, reaching a level of communication and trust that would be essential for success in the challenging Finnish conditions.
The strategic approach to Rally Finland also required careful consideration of championship implications and competitive priorities. While stage wins and podium positions remained the ultimate goal, the need to score consistent points and build momentum for future events added additional layers of complexity to tactical decision-making throughout the rally weekend.
The Legacy of Irish Success in Finnish Forests
McErlean’s participation in Rally Finland continued a proud tradition of Irish drivers competing successfully in the world championship, building on the legacy established by legends like Paddy Hopkirk and carried forward by more recent stars such as Craig Breen. The connection between Irish and Finnish rallying runs deep, with both nations sharing a passion for high-speed forest competition and producing drivers renowned for their natural speed and technical ability.
The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy’s support for McErlean’s career represented a strategic investment in developing the next generation of Irish rallying talent. The Academy’s approach combines financial support with technical guidance and career development assistance, providing drivers with the tools and opportunities necessary to compete at the highest international levels. McErlean’s success served as validation of this development model while inspiring the next generation of Irish drivers to pursue their own rallying ambitions.
The international recognition gained through strong performances at events like Rally Finland also benefits the broader Irish motorsport community, attracting sponsor interest and media attention that supports the development of grassroots rallying programs. McErlean’s role as an ambassador for Irish rallying extended beyond his own competitive achievements to encompass his contribution to the sport’s growth and development in Ireland.
Technical Innovation and Performance Development
The 2024 Rally Finland provided McErlean and Toksport with valuable opportunities to further develop their technical understanding and performance optimization strategies. The unique demands of high-speed gravel rallying create specific requirements for suspension tuning, differential setup, and tire management that differ significantly from other rally environments.
Data acquisition and analysis played crucial roles in maximizing performance potential throughout the Rally Finland weekend. Modern World Rally Championship competition generates enormous amounts of technical data that teams use to optimize everything from engine mapping and transmission settings to suspension geometry and aerodynamic configuration. McErlean’s access to this sophisticated technical support through Toksport and Škoda Motorsport provided significant competitive advantages.
The development of pace note systems specifically optimized for Finnish conditions represented another crucial element in the technical preparation process. The extreme speeds and unique characteristics of Finnish stages require specially adapted communication protocols that allow co-drivers to provide essential information with maximum clarity and minimum distraction. Fulton’s expertise in this area proved invaluable in helping McErlean extract maximum performance from challenging stage conditions.
Vehicle reliability and maintenance strategies also took on additional importance in the demanding Rally Finland environment. The sustained high speeds and challenging surface conditions place enormous stresses on mechanical components, requiring careful management of engine temperatures, transmission loadings, and suspension durability throughout the competition weekend.
The Competitive Landscape: WRC2 in 2024
McErlean’s Rally Finland campaign unfolded within the context of an exceptionally competitive WRC2 championship battle that featured multiple manufacturers, professional teams, and talented drivers all capable of winning events. The category’s health and competitiveness reflected the success of the Rally2 technical regulations in creating close competition while maintaining reasonable participation costs for teams and drivers.
Six Škoda crews finish inside the top 10 of category WRC2 at Rally Portugal, demonstrating the competitiveness of the Czech manufacturer’s Rally2 package and the strength of their customer support programs. This level of competition created both opportunities and challenges for McErlean, as strong manufacturer support provided technical advantages while also meaning that numerous well-funded rivals possessed similar equipment capabilities.
The presence of multiple factory-supported drivers and teams in WRC2 elevated the category’s profile and competitive intensity, creating an environment where consistent performance at the highest level was essential for championship success. McErlean’s breakthrough second place in Portugal had demonstrated his ability to compete with this elite level of competition, but Rally Finland would provide another crucial test of his consistency and speed.
The diversity of competing manufacturers also added strategic complexity to championship competition, as different cars showed varying strengths and weaknesses depending on rally characteristics and conditions. Understanding how to maximize the Škoda Fabia’s specific advantages while minimizing its potential weaknesses became essential elements in Toksport’s competitive strategy.
Media Coverage and Public Interest
McErlean’s participation in Rally Finland generated significant media attention, reflecting both his growing reputation as a future star and the broader interest in Irish motorsport success at international level. The combination of his breakthrough performances, engaging personality, and the compelling narrative of a young driver working toward his Rally1 dreams created a storyline that resonated with rally fans worldwide.
Social media platforms played increasingly important roles in connecting McErlean with his growing fan base, providing behind-the-scenes access to his preparation process and real-time updates throughout rally weekends. This direct communication channel allowed fans to follow his journey more closely while providing sponsors with additional exposure and engagement opportunities.
Television coverage of Rally Finland provided McErlean with valuable exposure to global audiences, showcasing his driving skills and professional approach to a worldwide community of rally enthusiasts. The WRC’s growing media presence and digital content strategies created multiple platforms for drivers to build their profiles and connect with existing and potential supporters.
The Irish motorsport media’s coverage of McErlean’s Rally Finland campaign reflected the country’s passionate interest in rallying success, with detailed analysis of his performance and extensive coverage of his technical and strategic approaches. This media attention helped build his profile domestically while supporting sponsor relationships and future career opportunities.
The Path to Rally1: Building Momentum
McErlean, 25, steps up from a Toksport Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 after three full seasons in WRC2 – peaking with second place at this year’s Rally Portugal, marking a career progression that Rally Finland played a crucial role in facilitating. His performances throughout the 2024 season, including his approach to the challenging Finnish event, demonstrated the complete skill set and professional maturity necessary for success at the highest level of world rallying.
The announcement of McErlean’s promotion to M-Sport Ford’s Rally1 program validated the development path that had brought him through various categories and teams to reach the pinnacle of world championship competition. His Rally Finland performance served as further evidence of his readiness for this step up, showcasing both the raw speed and tactical intelligence required for success against world championship-caliber competition.
The Irishman, who’s backed by the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, has no prior Rally1 experience but will tackle all 14 rounds in 2025, beginning with the Monte Carlo Rally in January. This comprehensive program represents both an enormous opportunity and a significant challenge, as McErlean prepares to compete against established world championship stars in the sport’s most advanced and demanding machinery.
The lessons learned and experience gained during events like Rally Finland would prove invaluable as McErlean prepared for his Rally1 debut. The technical knowledge, strategic understanding, and pressure management skills developed throughout his WRC2 career provided essential foundations for success at the sport’s highest level.
Future Implications and Career Development
McErlean’s Rally Finland campaign represented more than just another championship event; it served as a crucial stepping stone toward his ultimate goal of establishing himself as a consistent world championship contender. The experience gained in managing pressure, optimizing performance, and competing against international-level opposition provided invaluable preparation for his upcoming Rally1 challenges.
The technical knowledge and strategic understanding developed through his partnership with Toksport and Škoda Motorsport created a foundation of expertise that would benefit his future career regardless of manufacturer affiliation. The ability to work effectively with technical teams, provide constructive feedback, and contribute to vehicle development processes represents essential skills for success in modern world championship competition.
His approach to Rally Finland also demonstrated the professional maturity and strategic thinking that separate successful long-term careers from brief periods of competitive success. The ability to balance immediate performance goals against longer-term career objectives while maintaining focus and motivation throughout challenging periods reflects the mindset required for sustained success at the highest levels of international motorsport.
The Business of Rally Competition
McErlean’s Rally Finland campaign also highlighted the commercial and business aspects of modern world rally competition. The costs associated with competing at world championship level require sophisticated sponsor relationships, media management, and brand development strategies that extend far beyond pure driving performance.
The value proposition that McErlean offered to sponsors combined his on-track performance potential with his engaging personality, professional approach, and the compelling narrative of a young driver pursuing his world championship dreams. This combination created marketing opportunities that justified commercial investment while providing the financial foundation necessary for competitive participation.
The international exposure provided by events like Rally Finland created valuable opportunities for sponsor activation and brand development, demonstrating return on investment for commercial partners while building the relationships necessary for long-term career sustainability. The global reach of world championship rallying provided access to markets and audiences that would have been impossible to reach through domestic competition alone.
Conclusion: Building Toward Championship Dreams
McErlean’s approach to Rally Finland exemplified the professional maturity, technical understanding, and competitive hunger that have marked his emergence as one of world rallying’s most promising talents. His ability to combine natural speed with strategic intelligence while maintaining the professional approach demanded by modern world championship competition demonstrated why he had earned his opportunity to step up to Rally1 competition.
This writer has often teased him about the Josh McErlean talent factory, with previous co-drivers including Aaron Johnston and Keaton Williams both stepping up into WRC/Rally1 machinery. McErlean’s not yet there himself, but his 2024 form has suggested that may not purely be a pipe dream. His Rally Finland campaign served as further evidence that his Rally1 opportunity was well-deserved and that he possessed the complete skill set necessary for success at the sport’s highest level.
The progression from promising young driver to world championship competitor is never straightforward, requiring not just natural talent but also the right opportunities, professional support, and personal dedication necessary to maximize potential. McErlean’s journey through various categories and teams to reach his Rally1 opportunity demonstrated the patience and perseverance required to achieve long-term success in professional motorsport.
As he prepared to tackle the challenges of Rally1 competition, McErlean could look back on events like Rally Finland as crucial learning experiences that provided both technical knowledge and competitive confidence. His ability to step forward at Finland and throughout his 2024 campaign validated the faith placed in him by the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, Toksport World Rally Team, and ultimately M-Sport Ford.
The “step forward” that McErlean planned at Rally Finland represented more than just improved results; it symbolized his evolution from promising talent to genuine world championship contender. His approach to the challenging Finnish event demonstrated the complete package of speed, intelligence, and professionalism that defines success in modern world rally competition, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting and successful Rally1 career.