The ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team has won the Junior European Rally Championship title for the sixth time after 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022. An eighth place at the Barum Czech Rally Zlín was enough for Sweden's Calle Carlberg to secure the European title ahead of the season finale in Croatia in October. “This is the best day of my life. A dream has come true,” said the 2023 ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSE” champion. “Winning this title together with the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team makes the success even more special. The support I have received from this team over the past two years is difficult to put into words. Without Opel, I wouldn't be here today. I can only thank everyone who has accompanied me on this incredible journey. I am very excited to see what the future will bring.”
The jubilation was preceded by a rollercoaster of emotions for Carlberg. Alongside his father Torbjörn, who replaced regular co-driver Jørgen Eriksen, who stayed home expecting the birth of his second daughter, the 25-year-old put on his usual driving fireworks display in his Corsa Rally4 from Saturday morning onwards. By the fifth special stage, the Opel driver had already distanced himself from Europe's best rally talents by 40 seconds or more when a sheared drive shaft stopped him in SS6.
Although a top result was no longer possible, Carlberg/Carlberg were able to get back into the action on Sunday and finish in eighth place. This was ultimately meaningless, however, as Carles' main rivals, Ioan Lloyd (Peugeot) and Jaspar Vaher (Lancia), were no longer in the race at that point. This deprived them of the opportunity to reduce their deficit in the standings to below 30 points, which would have given them a title chance at the season finale in October.
Carlbergs teammates Luca Pröglhöf (26) and Christina Ettel (38) initially struggled in the Czech asphalt classic. As the rally progressed, the Austrians pushed the Corsa Rally4 to its limits on the demanding tracks around the industrial city of Zlín and got into their stride. In the end, the 2024 ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup champion crossed the finish line in fifth place.
Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott praised everyone involved: "Alongside his co-drivers Jørgen and Torbjörn, Calle was clearly the best driver in the strong JERC field this season – whether on asphalt or gravel. With three wins and four podium finishes in the first four races, he laid the foundation for this outstanding title win. All three deserve my thanks and recognition. The same goes for the Stohl Racing team. With his vast experience, Manfred Stohl is a tremendous support to our young drivers. For me, his team is the best in the entire JERC field. They provided our crews with the perfect environment to get the most out of themselves and the Corsa Rally4. But I would also like to acknowledge Luca and Christina, who did a great job and learned a lot in an extremely competitive field. And there is still one race to go. We are all delighted and proud of Opel's sixth European title. It is both recognition and motivation."
The season finale of the 2025 Junior European Rally Championship will take place from October 3 to 5 at the Rally Croatia around the Croatian capital Zagreb.
