WRC2 news & rumors 2026

[PLuto]

This was probably the case before. But when the future is Rally2 Cars (& WRC27) anyone aiming for WRC sees getting experience on WRC events as important.

Who has won many ERC events in the last 10 years then gone on to success in WRC2 ? Very few... even most ERC Champions haven't. They didnt have experience to fight against guys who have done them for years.

If a young driver has serious ambitions and financial backing, doing some WRC makes sense more than ever.

If you will go opposite, you will see plenty of drivers who went to WRC/WRC2 too early and failed as they were not ready to fight on this level. Then they step down back to ERC/national championships and started to go higher again. If a young driver has serious ambitions, he should primary learn how to drive the car, how to make the setup, how to fight for win, how to fight with drivers on similar level. Only learning stages is not enough...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

If you will go opposite, you will see plenty of drivers who went to WRC/WRC2 too early and failed as they were not ready to fight on this level. Then they step down back to ERC/national championships and started to go higher again. If a young driver has serious ambitions, he should primary learn how to drive the car, how to make the setup, how to fight for win, how to fight with drivers on similar level. Only learning stages is not enough...

Young drivers arent expecting to win WRC2 events but they gain the experience of the rallies while learning.

Back to Max McRae. He's mainly doing BRC so can use that for gaining speed and fighting to win more. His WRC2 events are a bonus and will have more future value to him than doing some ERC events.

[Steve Boyd]

Back to Max McRae. He's mainly doing BRC so can use that for gaining speed and fighting to win more. His WRC2 events are a bonus and will have more future value to him than doing some ERC events.

It will also show everyone the difference in pace between the BRC & WRC!

[denkimi]

The only reason not to do wrc over erc is budget. And if Max puts his name to good use, he should have plenty of budget.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The only reason not to do wrc over erc is budget. And if Max puts his name to good use, he should have plenty of budget.

Exactly. Plus those McRae genes !

I say good luck to him and anyone else who can enter WRC.

[EstWRC]

well, maybe this now opens your picture now more.

He has done now 3 starts at Finnish championship.

At first rally, Ralli Mikkeli - first rally and stage EVER with a 4wd machine and finishes just 3.1 seconds off stage winner Lappi. Crashed on next stage by going wide and ripping off a wheel, but still, what a debut stage time.

Second rally, Arctic Lapland Rally - took it more safe after that fast ending for the first rally, you could see it from the stage times by being 10th on first stage and then picking up the pace. Finished all the stages in top 8 and in the end was 7th in overall and beating other Estonian and last years Finnish champion Patrick Enok by one minute. Competing with the names like Lappi, Korhonen, Heikkilä, Kauppinen, Joona who all have much more experience.

This weekend was the third rally, Riihimäki rally - not as strong competition as on previous rallies but still, Lappi and Joona present. Finishes ALL stages in TOP2 and winning two stages, including the last 22km stage by beating Lappi there with 5 seconds and finishing just 3.7 seconds behind winner Lappi in overall standings.

Toyota took him for a reason, he beat the hell of out other candidates according to Latvala and im pretty sure he will beat Lappi already this year at some round.

Im telling you guys, we have found our next Tänak and the last time i was so excited about a talent was with Tänak.

Vaher now starting to do things outside Finland.

First round of Portuguese championship. I remind you again, he has no experience whatsoever from there and it’s his 4 start altogether with rally2 machine

Stage one results https://ewrc-results.com/event/99019...results/536383

[EstWRC]

Vaher now starting to do things outside Finland.

First round of Portuguese championship. I remind you again, he has no experience whatsoever from there and it’s his 4 start altogether with rally2 machine

Stage one results https://ewrc-results.com/event/99019...results/536383

rally over and today again new experience for Vaher with starting first on the road but still won all of the stages bar one, altogether he won 6 stages out of 8.

unfortunately they got 3 minute penalty cause they didnt pass the tyre fitting zone, how is that possible, i dont know but OK, they are young and will learn from this mistake.

If we take out the 3 minute penalty, then he would have won the rally by 48 seconds.

sorry for going off-topic in this thread a little bit but the forum is kinda dead anyway lately and im just so excited about this young incredible talent.

[Rallyper]

rally over and today again new experience for Vaher with starting first on the road but still won all of the stages bar one, altogether he won 6 stages out of 8.

unfortunately they got 3 minute penalty cause they didnt pass the tyre fitting zone, how is that possible, i dont know but OK, they are young and will learn from this mistake.

If we take out the 3 minute penalty, then he would have won the rally by 48 seconds.

sorry for going off-topic in this thread a little bit but the forum is kinda dead anyway lately and im just so excited about this young incredible talent.

Vaher is a future man in world rallying.

[trykmann]

I'm hoping he will participate on a wrc rally this season. Rally Estonia would be the most obvious choice.

[pedro16]

I'm hoping he will participate on a wrc rally this season. Rally Estonia would be the most obvious choice.

I have good news for you.

His calendar includes 2 ERC rounds - Portugal and Sweden and 2 WRC rounds - Estonia and Finland.

https://toyotagazooracing.com/challe...calendar/2026/