Coleman announces plan for 2026 ERC3 campaign
After a remarkable debut season at European level competition that saw him claim victory on the final round of the M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3 Trophy, Casey Jay Coleman has now set his sights on further FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) success as he announces an exciting plan for 2026 which sees him tackle the full seven round ERC3 series.
Having tasted continental competition for the first time in 2025, the young Irish star is keen to impress as he steps up to the full European campaign. Having competed in the M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3 Trophy in 2025, Coleman has knowledge of the series, but this year’s calendar will see him tackle four brand new events across an exciting season.
Taking the win in Barum on the final round of the 2025 season, Coleman secured a second-place finish in the M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3 Trophy standings, a remarkable feat in a debut season for the Irish youngster at European level that saw him compete at events in Spain, Hungary, Poland and Italy before the final round in Czechia.
It is with the experienced gained from these events that Casey Jay now has his sights set on a full ERC 3 Championship campaign in 2026 alongside competing once more in the M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3 Trophy, a step up that Coleman is excited to make.
“2025 was a great year for the whole team, but now it’s time to push on to the next level. Using the same car and team again with RLA Autosport as last year to take on the full ERC 3 Championship along with the M-Sport Trophy again, it’s exciting to look ahead knowing I have experience of the ERC, and I look forward to the season ahead!”
The ERC3 series sees the brightest young rally talent from right across the continent compete in 4WD Rally3 machines, with the series Champions such as Jon Armstrong rising to the highest levels of the sport. For 2026, Casey Jay Coleman will campaign a Ford Fiesta Rally3, a car he has huge experience in, and with it has impressed the team in M-Sport Poland
‘’At just 22 years of age, the Irish youngster secured an impressive victory by winning the M-Sport and Pirelli backed Ford Fiesta Rally3 Trophy Round in Barum Czech Rally Zlin, claiming success with an assured and confident drive, his progression of speed and consistency since I’ve first witnessed C.J behind the wheel combined with his positive friendly attitude has really impressed me” stated Maciej Woda, M-Sport Poland Managing Director
After a remarkable season that ended with a shortlist nomination for the Billy Coleman Award, Casey Jay has become a member of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy.
The Rally Academy currently supports Irish Rally talent from entry-level J1000 class up to the highest World Championship Rally1 class, and in 2026 its driver and codrivers will compete in Ireland, Europe and World levels of the sport, a testament to the incredible support network on offer through the Academy’s work in focused areas such as Fitness, Mental Agility and Event Experience.
Guiding Casey Jay across the season will be Killian McArdle, the pair reuniting full time having done selected events together in 2025 including sharing their very first ERC podium together on Rally di Roma Capitale. At just 24 years of age McArdle is a rising star aswell in the sport, having already navigated at World Championship level while also tasting success both nationally and internationally.
Having tasted the top step of a European Rally podium in 2025, the future is bright for Casey Jay Coleman, and on the announcement of his 2026 ERC 3 Campaign, the youngster was also thankful to his supporters who have made this opportunity possible, and who have supported his journey up through the ranks having started aged 16 in the Junior 1000 series of the Irish Forest Rally Championship.
“It’s incredible to see how far I’ve come since the days starting off in J1000 and having moved through Rally4 machines both at home and abroad, its really exciting to be able to compete in both Rally3 and Rally2 cars in both the ERC and elsewhere. None of that though would be possible without the support of sponsors, and I am grateful to those who have supported me for a long number of years, as well as those that have come on board recently to support the European Championship campaign”.
The 2026 European Rally Championship begins in April with the high-speed Spanish tarmac roads of Andalusia Rally-Sierra Morena, the Cordoba based event a familiar start for Coleman having competed there in 2025. With his sights set on contesting for both the ERC 3 and M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally 3 Trophy victories in 2026, it could be a historic season in store as Casey Jay Coleman and Killian McArdle aim to be the first Irish crew to ever claim a European Rally Championship title.
In preparation for his campaign in Europe, Casey Jay Coleman begins his season with the three-day Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally, the iconic event will see sixteen high speed stages over St. Patricks weekend, and it is an event that Coleman has had success on in the past including taking the RC3 victory on the 2025 running.
The FIA European Rally Championship is amongst the largest Rally series in the world, with a staggering 750,000 followers across social media, and millions of viewers around the world following the action live across TV and Online with Rally TV+ and countless networks. The ERC is also supported by Red Bull Media who provide photographic and video content from each round of the series, showcasing Casey Jay Coleman and the rest of the ERC field across world media outlets. The ERC is promoted by WRC Promoter GmbH, the same team responsible for the World Rally Championship.
