[JWRC ]Junior WRC 2026

[Andre Oliveira]

Calle Carlberg will do full Junior WRC as Junior ERC 2025 win prize.

[Andre Oliveira]

[Andre Oliveira]

For me is a bad calendar.

Should be Sweden + 2 tarmac + 2 gravel.

[Tom206wrc]

News about full entrylist

[wyler]

For me is a bad calendar.

Should be Sweden + 2 tarmac + 2 gravel.

to me is ok-ish. one of every kind + 1 "abroad"

[Kenneth]

yeah afterall there are much more gravel rallies than tarmac in the whole calendar

[wyler]

yeah afterall there are much more gravel rallies than tarmac in the whole calendar

yup, maybe a rougher rally than portugal would be more representative, but as a "slow" gravel is ok. also machine-wise.

[Andre Oliveira]

Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy's Rahill and Smith to tackle 2026 Junior WRC



Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crew Craig Rahill and Conor Smith will step up to the World Rally Championship's Junior WRC series in 2026, marking the next stage in their rally career.


The duo will drive an M-Sport Poland Ford Fiesta Rally3 in the five-round competition starting on February's Rally Sweden.


22-year-old Rahill took on the Junior European Rally Championship in 2025 after winning Motorsport Ireland's Billy Coleman Award in 2024. The Cavan crew finished third in their rookie year, picking up a maiden Junior ERC victory on Barum Czech Rally Zlín on their Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 debut.


Rahill will now take a step onto the world stage as he continues to develop his career. He follows in the footsteps of other MI Rally Academy drivers Callum Devine, Jon Armstrong, 2023 Junior WRC Champion William Creighton, and 2025 Junior WRC Rally Finland winner Eamonn Kelly.

His longtime co-driver, 27-year-old Conor Smith, will continue in his role and will seek to emulate former Academy-supported co-drivers Brian Hoy, who was WRC3 Junior Champion in 2022, and 2023 Junior WRC Champion Liam Regan.


Rahill’s rallying career started in a rear-wheel-drive Ford Escort Mk2 less than four years ago. His driving skill transferred naturally to front-wheel-drive competition in 2023, scoring a class win on his Rally4 debut. Now he'll look forward to making his four-wheel-drive debut in 2026.

The pair will tackle snow, gravel, and tarmac terrain on some of the most challenging and highly renowned rally stages the world has to offer. Visits to Sweden, Croatia, Portugal, Finland, and Chile make up the 2026 Junior WRC calendar.

John Coyne, Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Founder/Patron:

"We are delighted to support another Irish crew on their learning journey to the top of the WRC ladder, by backing Craig and Conor in the 2026 Junior WRC.”


Sean McHugh, Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Coordinator:

"We see the M-Sport Poland run Junior WRC as a vital stepping stone for our young drivers and co-drivers as they continue to grow their skills and experience.”


Craig Rahill, Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver:

“I’m incredibly excited to compete in the Junior WRC in 2026. It’s a significant step up, but Conor and I have worked extremely hard to earn this opportunity, and we’re ready to push even harder to make the most of it.


“The championship is a vital stepping stone towards the WRC and a fantastic chance to measure ourselves against the best young talent in the sport. This season will be all about learning each event, gaining as much experience as possible, and showing steady progress round by round."


“Competing in the Junior WRC has always been a dream of mine, and I’m extremely grateful to the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy for making this opportunity possible.”


Maciej Woda, M-Sport Poland Managing Director:

“We are pleased to see another young Irish talented driver joining Junior WRC. Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy already has a very good record in supporting young drivers in their path to the top of rallying.

“For Craig, having a chance to follow the footsteps of Jon, William and Eamonn who have all gone through Junior WRC is a lifetime opportunity to step up and show his potential on the World Rally Championship.”


https://www.mirallyacademy.ie/post/m...026-junior-wrc