Mcerlean gets Peugeot 208 for 2019 R2 outings

Josh Mcerlean says going down the Peugeot route for 2019 was one of the easiest decisions he has made.

The Kilrea driver returns to the Junior British Rally Championship next year in an ex-melvyn Evans 208 R2.

Mcerlean has endured two frustrating seasons in the competition using both Citroen and Ford machinery.

However, he reckons the Peugeot has the speed and reliability that will help him challenge for rally wins.

“I believe we will have the complete package for next year,” he told MN. “We now have the experience and the car to do the job. The speed was there this year – now it’s time to try and bring everything together and look to win the JBRC title.

“After August’s Ulster Rally we knew we had to look at our options. During the event we were driving the socks off the Fiesta and there was little left in it. It didn’t have the legs of the Peugeot. Switching was easy.”

Mcerlean plans to test the car, which is currently in Tarmac-specification, before his focus turns to gravel and the Cambrian Rally in Wales on February 16.