Devine ends ERC1 Junior season on a high, thanks supporters
ByERC
Published 02/12/2020 at 15:21 GMT
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Image credit: ERC
Callum Devine rounded out his maiden FIA ERC1 Junior Championship campaign with a season-high third in class on Rally Islas Canarias – then used the moment to thank his supporters that made it possible.
After non-finishes on Rally di Roma Capitale and Rally Liepāja, Devine regrouped with a strong end to the year in his Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Hyundai i20 R5.
“I’m delighted we finished the season on a good note,” said Devine, who was P13 overall at the end of leg one but climbed to eighth by the finish on Saturday evening. “Over the last two events we’ve shown consistent pace at this level against very strong opposition so I have to be happy with that. Rally Islas Canarias was a really enjoyable event with very challenging stages and ever-changing weather. It took me a while to gauge the grip levels, especially when we ran on crossed tyres but we showed a lot of progression throughout the event.
“I really enjoyed battling with Craig Breen on day two, he’s a top-class competitor and to be swapping seconds with him on an unfamiliar event was a good feeling. The car felt very strong all weekend and to get an ERC1 Junior podium was a nice reward for our efforts.”
Devine, 26, paid tribute to all those who made his FIA European Rally Championship campaign possible. “It takes a huge team effort to compete at this level in a normal year, let alone during a global pandemic. Everyone at the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, especially John Coyne and Sean McHugh and all their partners, Pirelli, EARS Motorsport, Marina Racewear and Process Networks deserve huge praise.
“Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing and especially PCRS worked so hard to get us to each event and I’m extremely thankful for their support all season, it simply would not have been possible without them.
“Both my co-drivers this season, Brian [Hoy] and James [Fulton] were brilliant too. There were times, especially early this season, when it wasn’t easy but with everyone working towards a common goal we were able to turn our season around and that bodes well for the future. Obviously we’ll have to sit down and discuss plans for 2021 but I would love another crack at the ERC and build on the progress shown this year.”
“I’m delighted we finished the season on a good note,” said Devine, who was P13 overall at the end of leg one but climbed to eighth by the finish on Saturday evening. “Over the last two events we’ve shown consistent pace at this level against very strong opposition so I have to be happy with that. Rally Islas Canarias was a really enjoyable event with very challenging stages and ever-changing weather. It took me a while to gauge the grip levels, especially when we ran on crossed tyres but we showed a lot of progression throughout the event.
“I really enjoyed battling with Craig Breen on day two, he’s a top-class competitor and to be swapping seconds with him on an unfamiliar event was a good feeling. The car felt very strong all weekend and to get an ERC1 Junior podium was a nice reward for our efforts.”
Devine, 26, paid tribute to all those who made his FIA European Rally Championship campaign possible. “It takes a huge team effort to compete at this level in a normal year, let alone during a global pandemic. Everyone at the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, especially John Coyne and Sean McHugh and all their partners, Pirelli, EARS Motorsport, Marina Racewear and Process Networks deserve huge praise.
“Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing and especially PCRS worked so hard to get us to each event and I’m extremely thankful for their support all season, it simply would not have been possible without them.
“Both my co-drivers this season, Brian [Hoy] and James [Fulton] were brilliant too. There were times, especially early this season, when it wasn’t easy but with everyone working towards a common goal we were able to turn our season around and that bodes well for the future. Obviously we’ll have to sit down and discuss plans for 2021 but I would love another crack at the ERC and build on the progress shown this year.”
The post Devine ends ERC1 Junior season on a high, thanks supporters appeared first on FIA ERC | European Rally Championship.
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