ERC Junior future earmarked for Estonian R2 Challenge champion
ByERC
Published 20/12/2016 at 11:55 GMT
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28 NIINEMAE Miko VALTER Martin Peugeot 208 R2 Ambiance Portrait during the 2016 European Rally Championship ERC Estonia Rally, from July 15 to 17 at Tallinn, Estonia - Photo Gregory Lenormand / DPPI
Image credit: ERC
Young drivers contesting the Estonian R2 Challenge in 2017 can follow in the wheel tracks of factory Citroën World Rally Championship driver Stéphane Lefebvre by embarking on an FIA ERC Junior campaign in the future.
A prize fund of 28,000 euros will be awarded to the champion for use towards an ERC Junior budget in 2018. There is no restriction on nationality but drivers must be aged between 17 and 26 and use control tyres with the exception of the season-opening winter event in Latvia. Lefebvre was the inaugural ERC Junior champion in 2014 and made his international debut in Latvia the previous season.
The Estonian R2 Challenge begins with the Aluksne Rally in Latvia from 13-14 January. The series runner-up gets 3,000 euros in prize money with the third-place driver receiving 1,000 euros. The champion can also use their winnings for a JWRC assault but ERC Junior, with its four counting rounds, requires a lesser financial commitment and is aimed firmly at drivers stepping up from national competition.
Ruth Selirand, Castrol’s representative in the Baltics, said: “This is our second year to be a partner of Estonian Autosport Union. Castrol supports globally many motorsport teams and drivers. Regionally Castrol supports local motorsport and drivers as much as possible. We are honoured to be a part of this great project which helps young drivers to conquer the world.”
Margus Kiiver, General Secretary of Estonian Autosport Union, added: “Thanks to our partners we were able to put together this prize fund which is unique not only in Estonia but in all our region. We hope to have some new foreign drivers in our championship which has six great rounds. This means also tougher competition in the R2 class. We are working ahead so that this project can continue in the following years. For young drivers the main goal should be moving from local series to international competitions and Estonian R2 Challenge can help them in this journey.”
While the Estonian R2 Challenge is open to all nationalities, the Baltic region has form when it comes to producing young rallying talent. Ralfs Sirmacis is a double winner in the ERC, Nikolay Gryazin is showing big potential in the championship, while Miko-Ove Niinemäe was the ERC Junior winner on auto24 Rally Estonia back in the summer (pictured).
The Estonian R2 Challenge begins with the Aluksne Rally in Latvia from 13-14 January. The series runner-up gets 3,000 euros in prize money with the third-place driver receiving 1,000 euros. The champion can also use their winnings for a JWRC assault but ERC Junior, with its four counting rounds, requires a lesser financial commitment and is aimed firmly at drivers stepping up from national competition.
Ruth Selirand, Castrol’s representative in the Baltics, said: “This is our second year to be a partner of Estonian Autosport Union. Castrol supports globally many motorsport teams and drivers. Regionally Castrol supports local motorsport and drivers as much as possible. We are honoured to be a part of this great project which helps young drivers to conquer the world.”
Margus Kiiver, General Secretary of Estonian Autosport Union, added: “Thanks to our partners we were able to put together this prize fund which is unique not only in Estonia but in all our region. We hope to have some new foreign drivers in our championship which has six great rounds. This means also tougher competition in the R2 class. We are working ahead so that this project can continue in the following years. For young drivers the main goal should be moving from local series to international competitions and Estonian R2 Challenge can help them in this journey.”
While the Estonian R2 Challenge is open to all nationalities, the Baltic region has form when it comes to producing young rallying talent. Ralfs Sirmacis is a double winner in the ERC, Nikolay Gryazin is showing big potential in the championship, while Miko-Ove Niinemäe was the ERC Junior winner on auto24 Rally Estonia back in the summer (pictured).
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