McErlean prepares for WRC debut in Paraguay

Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver Josh McErlean will resume his FIA World Rally Championship campaign next week [28–31 August] as he takes on Uneo Rally del Paraguay, the series’ first-ever visit to the South American nation.

Based in the bustling border city of Encarnación, close to the Argentina border, the event represents a landmark moment for Paraguay as it joins the WRC calendar for the first time, and the arrival of the world’s top rally teams is set to be one of the biggest international sporting events ever staged in the country.

Fresh from a season-best equalling seventh place at Rally Finland, where he finished as the leading M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 driver, McErlean and co-driver Eoin Treacy arrive in South America with momentum. Their confident performance on the fastest rally of the year showcased growing maturity and progression in pace at the top level, and Paraguay now offers the next opportunity to continue that upward trajectory.

“Paraguay’s a new one for all of us, so it’s hard to know exactly what we’re heading into,” said McErlean.

“The fact that everyone’s starting with a blank slate is a good thing – it levels the playing field a bit. The surface looks mostly clay with long straights and some really fast sections. From what I’ve seen, it almost gives off a bit of a Safari vibe in places, which is pretty cool.”

The stages are expected to offer a stern test for crews, with its red-earth gravel a defining feature. Its long, high-speed straights should be familiar after the past two WRC rounds marked the fastest of the year, but for teams and drivers alike, the lack of historic data or experience on these roads means Rally Paraguay is truly a step into the unknown.

The rally also represents a significant personal milestone for the Irishman as he prepares for his first-ever competitive outing in South America, beginning a crucial double-header with Rally Chile to follow in September.

“It’s another big step for me, my first rally in South America, and that’s something special. With Chile coming straight after, it’s going to be a massive month: two brand-new rallies, all new pacenotes and a lot of learning to take in.

“With the event being new to everyone, it levels the playing field a bit, and whilst that doesn’t change our approach in any way, it just offers us a little more insight into our true progression this season.

“It’s a big challenge, but we’ll take everything we’ve learned so far this year and make use of it. The experience that we have gained so far this season has given me confidence, and I want to keep building on that.”

Rally del Paraguay begins on Thursday [28 August] with a ceremonial start in Encarnación before three days of competition across southern Paraguay. Crews will face over 300 competitive kilometres across stages never before seen in the WRC.