McErlean’s WRC campaign boosted by far-reaching support
Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver Josh McErlean will head into his FIA World Rally Championship WRC2 campaign in 2023 with an impressive list of supporters, as local and global brands rally around to support the progressive youngster this season.
McErlean, 23 years old from Kilrea, Co.Derry will once again pilot a PCRS Rallysport run Hyundai i20 N Rally2 and will kick-start his season with the legendary Monte-Carlo [19-21 January 2023].
Joining him on both the iconic Monaco based rally and throughout the season, McCormack Contracting Inc will back McErlean and co-driver John Rowan in 2023. Supporting the young driver since 2021, the firm are leaders in the construction services industry and are based in the United States. Thanks to Managing Director Enda McCormack, they have continued their support for the year ahead.
Highly regarded semi-trailer manufacturer SDC Trailers are another brand to return to the fold in their support of McErlean this season. Established in 1978, the firm has grown into the largest brand in its field and have strong links to his rallying career form their base in Antrim.
Co. Antrim based business Woodland will also join the WRC campaign trail. One of the leading manufacturers of kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture, the firm have backed McErlean’s career in the early stages and return for his second WRC2 campaign.
Jefferson Professional Tools and Equipment are another welcome returnee for the season ahead. Spending over 18 years developing their range of specialist tools and equipment for a wide range of industries, the Kilrea based brand are highly regarded throughout the UK and Ireland.
Resuming their support for 2023, Fastener Connections re-join the squad. Originally established in the North of Ireland and Southern England, the firm now provides global coverage for fastener products such as nuts, bolts, rivets and much more.
New to the squad, HVAC Construction will join the team for the first time this season, providing vital backing to McErlean’s intense season in the most hotly contested series in the world.
“It’s a real privilege to have the support of these fantastic businesses as I head into my second season in the World Rally Championship” say McErlean.
“I’m honoured to have such great backing form the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and the support from these brands is a real boost for the season ahead. It’s invaluable to have them on board and it really does have an international feel to the team this year. We have a lot of hard work still ahead of us for the remainder of the season, but starting at Rallye Monte Carlo, an event I haven’t done before, I`ll be doing my very best to make them proud. It’s the start of a very incredible journey together and it’s great to have them by my side.”