Swede Carlberg has raced into a 37-point lead with two events remaining after winning the last three rounds of the Hankook-supplied series. If results go his way on Barum Czech Rally Zlín, he will become the 12th Junior ERC champion.
But with regular wingman Jørgen Eriksen skipping this weekend’s sealed-surface event to await the birth of his second daughter, Carlberg will count on father Torbjörn’s co-driving skills on a rally he’s contesting for the first time.
Swede Carlberg is on the birink of becoming Junior ERC champion
© ERC
Of his title prospects, 25-year-old Carlberg, who drives for the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team, reckons a top-eight finish on either Barum Czech Rally Zlín or Croatia Rally will be enough for championship glory, regardless of the results his rivals achieve.
“From what we have counted Jaspar Vaher is the biggest threat after removing one event,” said Carlberg. “If Vaher wins both remaining rounds I need to finish top eight in either Barum or Croatia to win.
“I know that there is a lot at stake this weekend, but I actually feel very calm. I have done a good job thus far this season and I don’t intend on changing anything for Barum. I will approach it like any other rally. Of course, we might start to look at the championship standings coming to the end of Sunday, but we will start the rally with the same approach as always: to win the rally.”
Carlberg is a three-time Junior ERC winner in 2025
© ERC
Former Junior ERC star Kristensson to the rescue
Calle Carlberg has acknowledged the key role two-time Junior ERC event winner Tom Kristensson has performed in keeping his championship challenge on track.
Kristensson graduated to Junior ERC as his prize for winning the ADAC Opel Rally Cup in 2017 with Carlberg following in his wheel tracks by taking the electric version in 2023.
Currently without a regular drive, Kristensson has been helping his younger Swede behind the scenes, as Carlberg explained: “Finding a budget to drive is always a struggle. Even after such a successful season it’s difficult. Tom has helped me two times before at the last round when times have been tough. Both in 2021 and 2023. I am super thankful to him and his sponsors for doing this once again for Barum.
“He is not only a good friend and mentor, he is very important for my career. The amount of help and knowledge that I have gotten through him is invaluable. It has allowed me to be in the situation that I am in today.”
Tom Kristensson was twice a Junior ERC winner in 2018
© ERC
Croatia Rally set to host ERC4 title decider
While Calle Carlberg can become Junior ERC champion as early as this weekend’s Barum Czech Rally Zlín, the FIA ERC4 Championship is unlikely to be decided until the Croatia Rally finale in October.
Although next month’s JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion isn’t part of the Junior ERC schedule, it is an ERC4 qualifier, meaning there are still three scoring opportunities remaining to bank the FIA category title for Rally4 and Rally5 cars.
All Junior ERC drivers are eligible for the FIA ERC4 Championship with Carlberg currently 39 points ahead of Ioan Lloyd. Peugeot 208 Rally4 driver Lloyd is set to contest the remaining three rounds of the season, while Opel Corsa Rally4-powered Carlberg is only due to compete in Czech Republic and Croatia.