McErlean continues his South American adventure at WRC Chile
Photo credit: M-Sport
Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver Josh McErlean will continue his FIA World Rally Championship campaign next week [26–28 September] as he tackles Rally Chile Bio Bío, the second leg of a demanding South American double-header.
Based in the Pacific coastal city of Concepción, Chile’s WRC round has quickly earned a reputation as one of the most rewarding yet unforgiving events on the calendar. Its gravel stages cut through dense forest plantations and rugged hillsides in the Bío Bío region, combining speed and rhythm, with the requirement to be ultra-precise across the gravel tests.
The roads are smooth and flowing, but punishing if crews stray even slightly offline, offering little margin for error and like in the past, coastal mist and sudden bursts of rain can drastically alter grip levels, making perfectly dialled-in pacenotes essential.
For McErlean and co-driver Eoin Treacy, it marks another step in their ongoing development at the highest level of the sport. After showing strong pace in Paraguay before a Saturday retirement, the Irish pairing will be eager to convert that promise into a clean and competitive run on Chile’s unique gravel.
The season has already provided clear signs of progress: McErlean has regularly matched established frontrunners and has finished stages as the leading M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 driver on multiple occasions, underlining his potential against world-class competition.
“It’s great to be going to Chile for the next stop in our South American adventure,” said McErlean.
“The itinerary is the exact same as last year’s event, so we know what to expect in terms of format, but as it’s our first time here we’ll be writing completely fresh pacenotes. That’s a challenge, but it’s also exciting – we’ll do our homework and be fully prepared. The stages look incredible, fast and flowing but very technical, and it’s a stunning part of the world to be competing in.
“This season we’ve shown some really strong speed, even leading the M-Sport crews on a few rallies, so the potential is there. Now it’s about pulling everything together, keeping it clean, and building momentum. Chile is a rally where confidence and rhythm are everything, and I’m looking forward to testing myself on these incredible roads.”
Rally Chile Bio Bío returns for its fourth WRC edition in 2025, with crews set to face over 300 competitive kilometres across three days of competition. From the tree-lined stages south of Concepción to the fast, cambered forest roads inland, the rally is expected to provide one of the sternest tests of commitment and precision on the championship’s gravel calendar.
Photo credit: M-Sport