MOTORSPORT: McErlean set for action on the roads of Wales

Josh McErlean is back on the road again this weekend, in the Prestone MSA British Rally Championship campaign in Wales.

McErlean will drive a MH Motorsport Ford Fiesta R2T, hoping for a full assault on the series in 2018.

He is no stranger to the Hampshire based squad after impressing onlookers at the Nicky Grist Stages in 2017.

The reunited partnership will contest this weekend’s BTRDA qualifier in a bid for seat time ahead of the opening round of the BRC, the Pirelli International Rally at the end of the month. McErlean will be co-driven as usual by Aaron Johnston.

The Kilrea man was a stand-out competitor in the early part of 2017, taking his ageing self-run Citroen C2 R2 to some impressive results despite the lack of development compared to the leading crews.

His one-off outing with MH Motorsport in the summer highlighted the potential of the 18 year old and Team Principle Mike Harris was keen to secure the rapid youngster for the season ahead.

McErlean is looking on the weekend as an extended test.

“We have had some testing over the winter but you can only do so much over the same bit of road before it has a negative impact” he commented.

“By competing this weekend, it means we can ensure everything clicks and we go to the Pirelli with everything fresh, from the car to the pace notes and the team.

"I`m still using this as a test though and times won’t be important. We will focus on getting bedded in rather than push on and getting sucked in to any class battles. I`ll have one eye on the times, just for my own benefit but we will be very much doing our own thing.”

The Rallynuts Stages is based in Builth Wells and offers around 44 stage miles in the surrounding forests.