With more than 300,000 spectators lining the stages in 2022 and 2023, Croatia Rally takes place as the second round of five in the 2024 FIA Junior WRC calendar. What sets this event apart is that it is the only sealed-surface fixture on the calendar. However, despite being categorized as a Tarmac event, Croatia offers a diverse range of surfaces, from smooth asphalt to heavily damaged concrete.
The fluctuating grip levels on the undulating roads present a significant challenge. Despite the high speeds overall, competitors must approach the narrow passages, blind crests, and turns with caution. The 17 FIA Junior WRC crews must exhibit precise control while driving the M-Sport Poland Ford Fiesta Rally3 Evo cars.
The first round in Sweden saw local driver Mille Johansson emerge as the winner. However, with his absence in Croatia, the door is wide open for a new champion to be crowned.
Romet Jürgenson from Estonia, who finished as the runner-up in the first round, leads the entry list. He eagerly awaits the opportunity to showcase his skills in his Wolf Lubricants and Pirelli-equipped Fiesta at the Quattro River Rally in Karlovac earlier this month. Not only did he win his class, but he also secured an impressive fourth-place finish overall, 8.3 seconds ahead of Ali Türkkan from Turkey, who will be making his FIA Junior WRC debut this week.
Last year’s rally winner Eamonn Kelly and Petr Borodin also participated in the warm-up event. Meanwhile, Raul Hernández, Tom Rensonnet, and Norbert Maior have established strong records on asphalt. They will be aiming to stay ahead of drivers like Bruno Bulacia and Diego Dominguez, both of whom faced setbacks in Sweden.
The rally will kick off in Zagreb on Thursday, April 18th. The competitors will face a total of 20 stages covering a distance of 283.28km before reaching the finish line on Sunday afternoon.
Maciej Woda, the FIA Junior WRC Championship Manager, expressed his excitement for the upcoming event, stating, “After an exhilarating season opener in Sweden, the team at M-Sport Poland has put in tremendous effort to prepare the cars for another thrilling week of Junior WRC action in Croatia. Croatia Rally is known for being a highly challenging event that has provided endless drama in the past. The unpredictable weather, changing grip levels, and dirt on the road will require strategic thinking for success. Let the battle commence!”