Josh McErlean
Ireland
·
WRC
Key Facts
Nationality
IRL
Date of birth
16.07.1999
Birthplace
Ireland
Co-driver
Eoin Treacy
First WRC rally
2019, Wales Rally GB
First WRC stage win
2022, Rally de Portugal SS16
WRC stage wins
1
First WRC2 stage win
2022, Rally de Portugal SS16
WRC2 stage wins
2
First WRC2 podium
2024, Rally de Portugal
WRC2 podiums
1
Best overall WRC2 season result
26th (2023)
Best overall WRC3 event result
3rd Rally Catalunya (2021)
*WRC2 Open data from 2022 season is included.
I’ve always aspired to compete at the highest level of motorsport, and now that opportunity is becoming a reality.
About Josh McErlean
Josh McErlean has steadily risen through the ranks to become Ireland’s next big hope in the WRC. Born into a rallying family—his father Eoin won the Northern Irish Group N title in 2007 — McErlean was destined to follow a similar path.
He started his rallying journey at just 15, co-driven by his cousin Tommy, and quickly made an impression. Back-to-back Junior 1000 Rally titles in 2015 and 2016 set the tone before he progressed to the British Rally Championship, securing Junior BRC honours in 2019. That same year, he made his WRC debut in a Hyundai i20 R5 at Wales Rally GB.
McErlean’s talent caught the attention of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, which backed his move into WRC2. He showed flashes of brilliance, including an overall Super Special Stage win at Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2022 in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2.
Josh McErlean competing at ERC Tet Rally Latvia in 2023
© WRC
Seeking further development, he took on the FIA European Rally Championship, finishing a personal-best fourth at Tet Rally Latvia 2023. But it was in 2024 — now driving for Toksport — where he made his biggest step forward. A first WRC2 podium at Vodafone Rally de Portugal and a near-miss on a maiden victory against Jan Solans capped off a season of consistent performances, earning him ninth in the championship.
That form secured him a Rally1 drive with M-Sport for 2025, making him the first Irishman to compete in the WRC’s top tier since the late Craig Breen. Now, he’s ready to take on the world’s best.