AOIFE RAFTERY Eyes Podium in Record 21-Car Junior ERC Spanish Rally Opener

April 4, 2025

by Briain Kelly – April 4 // from www.galwaydaily.com

• Galway’s AOIFE RAFTERY enters her third Junior ERC season with serious momentum, joining champion team HRT Racing who claimed the 2023 title. She’s seeded third among the junior competitors in a record-breaking 21-car field at Rally Sierra Morena in Spain, showing the series organizers recognize her as a legitimate podium threat from the season opener.
• The championship stakes couldn’t be higher – the 2025 Junior ERC winner earns a coveted Junior WRC drive for 2026, the kind of career-defining opportunity that separates weekend warriors from future rally stars. With 13 rookies in the field alongside experienced campaigners, RAFTERY’s experience gives her a strategic advantage in the under-26 championship designed as a crucial stepping stone to international rallying.
• RAFTERY isn’t shy about her expectations, stating her target “as always, is to be on the podium” while leveraging HRT’s championship-winning experience to improve her pace. The 42nd Rally Sierra Morena features 13 tarmac stages across 209.96 competitive kilometers, starting with a spectator-friendly super special stage that fans can follow live on Rally.tv.

hrt racing, junior erc, rally sierra morena, rally4