With over 300,000 spectators lining the stages in 2022 and 2023, the 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 event on the calendar. However, despite being categorized as an Asphalt event, Croatia offers a diverse range of surfaces, from smooth asphalt to heavily damaged concrete.
The fluctuating grip levels on the winding roads present a significant challenge. Despite the high overall speeds, competitors must approach the narrow passages, blind corners, and hairpin turns with caution. The 17 teams of the FIA Junior WRC must demonstrate precise control when 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 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 overall, 8.3 seconds ahead of Ali Türkkan from Turkey, who will make his FIA Junior WRC debut this week.
Last year’s rally winner Eamonn Kelly and Petr Borodin also took part in the warm-up event. Meanwhile, Raul Hernández, Tom Rensonnet, and Norbert Maior have strong records on asphalt. They will be aiming to stay ahead of drivers like Bruno Bulacia and Diego Dominguez, who both faced setbacks in Sweden.
The rally will start in Zagreb on Thursday, April 18. Competitors will face a total of 20 stages covering a distance of 283.28km before reaching the finish line on Sunday afternoon.
Maciej Woda, manager of the FIA Junior WRC Championship, expressed his excitement for the upcoming event, stating: “Following an exciting season opener in Sweden, the M-Sport Poland team has made a tremendous effort to prepare the cars for another thrilling week of Junior WRC action in Croatia. The Croatia Rally is known to be a highly challenging event that has provided endless drama in the past. The unpredictable weather, varying grip levels, and dirt on the road will require strategic thinking for success. Let the battle begin!”
