Josh McErlean

{{Infobox WRC driver

| name = Josh McErlean

| image=WRC-2 Central European Rallye 2023 Nr. 32 (4).jpg

| caption =McErlean competing in the 2023 Central European Rally

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|7|16|df=y}}

| birth_place =Kilrea, Northern Ireland{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Andy |date=19 December 2024 |title=McErlean to make 'dream' WRC debut with M-Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/articles/cgl919l2175o |access-date=26 January 2025 |website=BBC Sport}}

| nationality = {{flagicon|IRL}} Irish

| Years = {{WRC|2019}}–present

| Teams = M-Sport Ford WRT

| Co-driver = Eoin Treacy

| Championships = 0

| Races = 30

| Wins = 0

| Podiums = 0

| Stagewins = 1

| Points = 10

| First race = 2019 Wales Rally GB

| First win =

| Last win =

| Last race = 2025 Safari Rally

}}

Josh McErlean (born 16 July 1999) is an Irish rally driver who currently competes in the World Rally Championship for M-Sport Ford WRT.

Rally career

= Early years =

McErlean made his rally debut in 2014.{{cite web|title=Josh McErlean|url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile/111651-josh-mcerlean/1|website=eWRC-results.com|access-date=12 May 2024}} He and cousin Thomas entered the Junior Turkey Run in Northern Ireland and won on their first start, having driven a Peugeot 107.{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Josh McErlean - Thomas McErlean - Junior Turkey Run 2014 |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/entryinfo/60098-junior-turkey-run-2014/2351470/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}} McErlean drove a full season of the Junior 1000 Rally Challenge in Northern Ireland in 2015, taking the title alongside his cousin with four rally victories.{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Season 2015 rally - eWRC-results |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/season/2015/885-junior-1000-rally-challenge-ni/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2016-01-25 |title=Josh McErlean shines on Kirkistown return |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/josh-mcerlean-shines-on-kirkistown-return-1274608 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Belfast News Letter |language=en}} The pair returned to defend their title and duly repeated their feat, in addition to winning the Junior 1000 series in Great Britain, where they won six of their eight entered events.{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Season 2016 rally - eWRC-results |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/season/2016/885-junior-1000-rally-challenge-ni/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Season 2016 rally - eWRC-results |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/season/2016/447-junior-1000-gb/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}}

In 2017, McErlean joined the British Rally Championship at the wheel of a Citroën C2 R2 Max, though reliability issues plagued his campaign and he finished ninth in the junior class standings.{{Cite web |last=Batey |first=Steven |date=2017-06-10 |title=McErlean To Drive MH Motorsport Fiesta On Nicky Grist Stages |url=https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2017/06/mcerlean-drive-mh-motorsport-fiesta-nicky-grist-stages/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=The Checkered Flag |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Season 2017 rally - eWRC-results |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/season/2017/837-great-britain-junior/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}} Having made a sole start in a Ford Fiesta R2T in July 2017, McErlean drove the car for the entirety of the 2018 season, which he finished 11th in the British Junior class with a sole class podium at the Ypres Rally.{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Season 2018 rally - eWRC-results |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/season/2018/837-great-britain-junior/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Final results Renties Ypres Rally 2018 |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/43466-renties-ypres-rally-2018/?sct=837 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}}

The Irishman switched cars again for 2019, piloting a Peugeot 208 R2 in the British Championship. McErlean drove a strong season, winning his class at the West Cork Rally, Pirelli International Rally, and Ulster Rally and clinching the junior title a round early, whilst also claiming third in the overall standings.{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Great Britain Junior 2019 - eWRC-results |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/season/2019/837-great-britain-junior/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Great Britain 2019 - eWRC-results |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/season/2019/60-great-britain/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}} With the help of Hyundai, McErlean was able to make his WRC debut, competing in the Wales Rally GB with the i20 R5.{{Cite web |last=Craig |first=Jason |date=11 September 2019 |title=Wales Rally GB 2019 spot for McErlean |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/motorsport-news/20190911/282218012485330?srsltid=AfmBOop07pMn7xhUjUKoW-cGRGBmSUpzh7JFvLVubmKwxndrRvWV7J-e |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=pressreader.com}} He and co-driver Keaton Williams retired on stage six with a mechanical failure.{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Josh McErlean - Keaton Williams - Wales Rally GB 2019 |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/entryinfo/54471-wales-rally-gb-2019/2394668/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}}

= Tenure with Motorsport Ireland =

With full support by Motorsport Ireland, McErlean was scheduled to enter the British Rally Championship with Hyundai, however the season was cancelled after just one round as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news |date=2020-01-09 |title=Josh McErlean: Junior champion secures 'dream' BRC move |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/51042537 |access-date=2025-02-03 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}{{cite web |title=British Rally Championship announces plans for 2020 |url=https://www.britishrallychampionship.co.uk/news/british-rally-championship-announces-plans-for-2020/ |accessdate=10 June 2020 |work=BRC}} McErlean went on to compete in the final two rounds of the European Rally Championship, before partaking in the Rally Monza in a WRC3 entry.{{Cite web |last=McMullan |first=Michael |date=2020-08-06 |title=Kilrea's Josh McErlean produces Italian masterclass at Rally di Alba |url=https://www.derrynow.com/news/sport/564353/kilrea-s-josh-mcerlean-produces-italian-masterclass-at-rally-di-alba.html |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=www.derrynow.com |language=en}}{{cite news |date=26 November 2020 |title=Rally Monza 2020 Entry List |url=https://www.acirallymonza.com/download/elenco-iscritti-entry-list-approved-by-fia-on-26-11-2020/?wpdmdl=7000&refresh=5fbfa494f0ed91606395028 |access-date=26 November 2020 |work=acirallymonza.com |publisher=Monza Rally Show}} McErlean and Williams finished seventh in class.{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Josh McErlean - Keaton Williams - ACI Rally Monza 2020 |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/entryinfo/66881-aci-rally-monza-2020/2859241/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}}

At the start of 2021, McErlean was inducted into the Hyundai Motorsport junior driver programme.{{Cite web |title=Probite British Rally Championship {{!}} McErlean lands Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Junior Driver place |url=https://britishrallychampionship.co.uk/mcerlean-lands-hyundai-motorsport-customer-racing-junior-driver-place/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |language=en}}{{cite news|first=Andy|last=Gray|title=Josh McErlean says Hyundai Junior driver deal 'is only the beginning'|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/56306490|work=BBC|date=8 March 2021|access-date=12 May 2024}} After finishing third overall in the Olympus Rally in the US, McErlean took fifth place at his first WRC3 appearance of the year in Portugal.{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Final results Olympus Rally 2021 |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/68714-olympus-rally-2021/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Barry |first=Luke |date=2021-07-07 |title=The ARA driver fostering WRC talent |url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/erc/the-ara-driver-fostering-wrc-talent/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=DirtFish |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-05-06 |title=Josh McErlain set for world rally return in Portugal |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/other-sport/josh-mcerlain-set-for-world-rally-return-in-portugal-3227341 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Belfast News Letter |language=en}} The other three rounds, which McErlean contested alongside James Fulton, yielded two further top five finishes, including a third place at the Rally Catalunya.{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Josh McErlean - James Fulton - RallyRACC Catalunya - Costa Daurada 2021 |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/entryinfo/68118-rallyracc-catalunya-costa-daurada-2021/3135429/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}} He finished ninth in the drivers' standings.{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Season 2021 rally - eWRC-results |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/season/2021/1681-wrc3/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}}

McErlean stepped up to the WRC2 in 2022, continuing on with Hyundai and Fulton.{{Cite news |date=2022-01-27 |title=Josh McErlean: NI driver steps up to WRC2 campaign |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/60153465 |access-date=2025-02-03 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |date=2022-03-08 |title=Josh McErlean impresses to earn new Hyundai deal |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/motor-sport/josh-mcerlean-impresses-to-earn-new-hyundai-deal/41421465.html |access-date=2025-02-03 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} The season proved challenging, as McErlean only scored a sole top ten finish in Estonia.{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Season 2022 rally - eWRC-results |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/season/2022/1969-wrc2-open/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}} Nevertheless, McErlean remained at Hyundai in 2023. He began the year by making his debut at the Monte Carlo Rally alongside new co-driver John Rowan, though an exhaust issue on the second day put him out of contention.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-25 |title=Kilrea driver Josh McErlean makes an impressive Rallye Monte Carlo debut |url=https://www.irishnews.com/sport/othersports/2023/01/26/news/kilrea_driver_josh_mcerlean_makes_an_impressive_rallye_monte_carlo_debut-3018340/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=The Irish News |language=en}} The pair withdrew from their next scheduled event in Croatia as a mark of respect for marque colleague and compatriot Craig Breen, who had been killed during a pre-event test.{{Cite news |date=2023-04-19 |title=Josh McErlean withdraws from Croatia Rally as mark of respect for late Craig Breen |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/motor-sport/josh-mcerlean-withdraws-from-croatia-rally-as-mark-of-respect-for-late-craig-breen/963656081.html |access-date=2025-02-03 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} McErlean bounced back with a strong drive to seventh in class in Portugal, before reuniting with former co-driver Fulton from the ERC round in Latvia onwards.{{Cite web |last=Barry |first=Luke |date=2023-05-22 |title=Ireland's leading talent has shown his hand |url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/irelands-leading-talent-has-shown-his-hand/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=DirtFish |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Barry |first=Luke |date=2023-06-07 |title=Fulton back with McErlean for Latvia ERC round |url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/fulton-back-with-mcerlean-for-latvia-erc-round/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=DirtFish |language=en-US}} McErlean progressed to 26th in the WRC2 standings with three points results, while also scoring a season-best fourth at the Latvia ERC event.{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Season 2023 rally - eWRC-results |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/season/2023/1682-wrc2/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=McErlean back With ERC & WRC Outings |url=https://www.rallyfish.co.uk/news/mcerlean-back-with-erc-wrc-outings |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=www.rallyfish.co.uk}}

In {{WRC-2|2024}}, he signed for Toksport to drive a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 in the WRC2.{{cite news|first=Andy|last=Gray|title=World Rally Championship: 'Huge step' for Josh McErlean in Skoda WRC2 switch|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/68535401|work=BBC|date=11 March 2024|access-date=12 May 2024}} McErlean began his campaign by claiming his maiden podium — a second place in Portugal — and fighting for a podium again at the Rally Italia Sardegna before a puncture took him out of contention.{{Cite web |last=Barry |first=Luke |date=2024-07-16 |title=The secrets to McErlean's sudden WRC2 success |url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/the-secrets-to-mcerleans-sudden-wrc2-success/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=DirtFish |language=en-US}} McErlean also fought for the top positions in Poland until he crashed during the penultimate stage.{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Josh McErlean - James Fulton - ORLEN Rally Poland 2024 |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/entryinfo/85532-orlen-rally-poland-2024/4053785/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}} During their remaining four championship-listed rallies, McErlean and Fulton never finished outside the top eight, with a best result of fifth coming in Central Europe. They also contested the Rally Japan whilst not listed for points.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-28 |title=Josh McErlean: WRC2 appearance in Japan a ‘sensational opportunity’ |url=https://www.irishnews.com/sport/f1/josh-mcerlean-wrc2-appearance-in-japan-a-sensational-opportunity-TKV6LIV4G5BL5CH4LKT6EFGVR4/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=12 November 2024 |title=McErlean ready to seize Japan opportunity |url=https://www.wrc.com/a/news/w28906_McErlean-ready-to-seize-Japan-opportunity |access-date=3 February 2025 |website=wrc.com}} In the WRC2 standings, McErlean finished ninth.{{Cite web |last=Shacki |title=Season 2024 rally - eWRC-results |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/season/2024/1682-wrc2/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}}

= WRC full-timer =

In December 2024 it was announced that McErlean and Fulton would join Grégoire Munster to drive for M-Sport Ford World Rally Team in the Rally1 class of the 2025 WRC season.{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/a/news/w29076_Done-Deal:-Irishman-Josh-McErlean-joins-M-Sport-Ford-in-WRC|title=Done deal: Irishman Josh McErlean joins M-Sport Ford in WRC|website=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=19 December 2024|access-date=19 December 2024}} Having kept things clean on debut, McErlean finished seventh in Monte Carlo.{{Cite web |last=Barry |first=Luke |date=2025-01-29 |title=“I was s****ing myself” - McErlean’s Rally1 debut |url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/i-was-sing-myself-mcerleans-rally1-debut/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=DirtFish |language=en-US}}

Rally results

=British Junior Rally Championship results=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%" !Year !Entrant !Car !1 !2 !3 !4 !5 !6 !7 !{{Tooltip\|Pos.\|Championship position}} !Points
rowspan="2"\| 2017 ! nowrap\| Macsport Rally Team ! nowrap\| Citroën C2 R2 \|style="background:#EFCFFF"\| BRC {{small\|Ret}} \|style="background:#EFCFFF"\| PIR {{small\|Ret}} \|style="background:#DFFFDF"\| SCO {{small\|7}} \|style="background:#"\| YPR \| \|style="background:#EFCFFF"\| ULS {{small\|Ret}} \|style="background:#"\| IOM ! rowspan="2"\| 9th ! rowspan="2"\| 6
nowrap\| MH Motorsport ! nowrap\| Ford Fiesta R2T \|colspan=4\| \|style="background:#EFCFFF"\| NGS {{small\|Ret}} \|colspan=2\|
2018 ! nowrap\| MH Motorsport ! nowrap\| Ford Fiesta R2T \|style="background:#EFCFFF"\| PIR {{small\|Ret}} \|style="background:#DFDFDF"\| YPR {{small\|2}} \|style="background:#EFCFFF"\| ULS {{small\|Ret}} \|style="background:#"\| WAL \|colspan=3\| ! 11th ! 18
2019 ! nowrap\| Macsport Rally Team ! nowrap\| Peugeot 208 R2 \|style="background:#DFFFDF"\| CAM {{small\|4}} \|style="background:#FFFFBF"\| WCR {{small\|1}} \|style="background:#FFFFBF"\| PIR {{small\|1}} \|style="background:#DFFFDF"\| YPR {{small\|4}} \|style="background:#FFFFBF"\| ULS {{small\|1}} \|style="background:#"\| GHR \| !style="background:#FFFFBF"\| 1st !style="background:#FFFFBF"\| 104

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"

!Year

!Entrant

!Car

!{{Tooltip|Pos.|Championship position}}

!Points

rowspan="2"| 2017

! nowrap| Macsport Rally Team

! nowrap| Citroën C2 R2

|style="background:#EFCFFF"| BRC
{{small|Ret}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF"| PIR
{{small|Ret}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF"| SCO
{{small|7}}