'No room for error' - McErlean prepares for Italy
Josh McErlean believes Rally Italia Sardegna will be "one of the toughest rallies" in his debut World Rally Championship season.The M-Sport Ford driver will compete in Italy for the fist time in WRC1 machinery after a strong previous round in Portugal.The narrow and rocky gravel roads through the mountains, combined with the summer heat, make the rally in Sardinia one of the most gruelling on the WRC calendar."There's no room for error here – it's narrow, rough, and can catch you out at any second," said Motorsport Ireland driver McErlean."You have to learn to love this rally. You can't fight it or it will bite you back."It's a real test for both car and crew, and that's exactly what makes it so rewarding."After a late deal to graduate to the top tier of world rallying with M-Sport, the opening five rounds of the season have been a baptism of fire for the 25-year-old from Northern Ireland.However, he had his best performance of the season in Portugal in May as he and co-driver Eoin Treacy finished in eighth place, ahead of more experienced team-mate Gregoire Munster and the highly-rated Martins Sesks. "We had a positive run in Portugal, and the goal is to carry that rhythm into this weekend," added McErlean."I feel we're progressing in the right direction. We're learning more about the Ford Puma on gravel with every kilometre, and this weekend will be another big step for us."The first of the 16 stages takes place on Friday and the event will finish in Olbia on Sunday.
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