Raftery on the up in Junior ERC but wary of possible Roma downs

Co-driven by Hannah McKillop, Raftery finished fourth in the Hankook-equipped category on last month’s ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland to equal her fourth-place finish in Hungary in 2024.

Although Rally di Roma Capitale wasn’t part of the Junior ERC schedule in 2024 under the championship’s event rotation system, Raftery is aware of what’s in store having tackled the event alongside former co-driver Ronan Comerford in 2023.

Raftery has previous Rally di Roma Capitale experience to count on

© ERC

“The temperature is going to be the biggest challenge, it’s going to be 35 or 40 degrees outside the car which means inside the car it’s going to be nearly double that,” said the 24-year-old from Ireland. “Maintaining focus and concentration over a long weekend and be able to commit to the notes is very important.

Each rally this year we’ve improved our pace and our seconds per kilometre and that’s our goal again this weekend coming

“With the temperatures we need to look at the tyres and manage and maintain them as best as we can and it’s the same with the brakes. Two of the stages are over 30 kilometres each so it’s a big challenge. I’m expecting it to be the most difficult event of the year but with the right preparation it will be interesting to see how we get on. Each rally this year we’ve improved our pace and our seconds per kilometre and that’s our goal again this weekend coming.”

After three rounds, Raftery, who drives a Peugeot 208 Rally4 for HRT Racing, is seventh in the Junior ERC standings, which is headed by ADAC Opel Rally Junior Teams Calle Carlberg. The Swede, runner-up in 2024, makes his Rally di Roma Capitale debut having won the last two rounds.

Jaspar Vaher will be a contender aboard his Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF

Jaspar Vaher will be a contender aboard his Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF

© ERC

Welshman Ioan Lloyd is second in the standings followed by Spaniard Sergi Pérez, Swede Victor Hansen and Estonian Jaspar Vaher, who competes in a Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 run by MS Munaretto. Finn Tuukka Kauppinen pilots a second Lancia for the Italian squad.

Keelan Grogan and Craig Rahill compete under the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy banner in Peugeot 208 Rally4s, also the car of choice for Italians Francesco Dei Ceci and Tommaso Sandrin, Portugal’s Kevin Saraiva and Swiss newcomer Yohan Surroca.

Estonian Kevin Lempu relies on Ford Fiesta Rally4 power, while Finland’s Leevi Lassila and Austrian Luca Pröglhöf drive Opel Corsa Rally4s with Pröglhöf back in action after missing ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland through illness.

Luca Pröglhöf is back in action following illness

Luca Pröglhöf is back in action following illness

© ERC

The thoughts of the entire Junior ERC community remain with the family and friends of Matteo Doretto, who lost his life in a private testing accident in Poland last month. The 2024 Italian Junior champion, who was 21, had been excitedly looking ahead to Rally di Roma Capitale, which would have formed his home event.

Fans across the globe can experience the excitement and drama of the ERC with every stage of every rally broadcast Rally.tv platform. In addition, the ERC is broadcast in a number of countries around the world and fans are advised to check local listings for details.

Rally di Roma Capitale: the key numbers

Stage distance: 207.82 kilometres

Total distance: 811.55 kilometres

Continue Reading