Junior European Rally Championship (JERC) Highlights & Rali Ceredigion Victory

Rally di Roma Capital (Italy): July 4 - 6

Ioan and Sion delivered a powerful performance at Rally di Roma Capitale, the fourth round of the Junior ERC. Competing in their Peugeot 208 Rally4, where they secured their first stage win of the season on SS11, followed by a Power Stage victory on Sunday.

After 207km of technical asphalt stages in scorching 38°C heat, they finished fourth overall, just 1.2 seconds off the podium, and just 4.3 seconds from 2nd place – a remarkable result that showcased their growing pace and maturity in the championship.

Ioan later reflected:

“Another podium would have been even better, but I was still delighted. The team did a fantastic job, and Sion was superb with the notes. It was a demanding rally, but we coped better than expected.”

Barum Czech Rally Zlin (Czech Republic): August 15 -17

The fifth and penultimate round of the Junior ERC took the crew to the notoriously challenging Barum Czech Rally Zlin. Known as one of the toughest rallies of the ERC calendar, Ioan and Sion showed impressive pace, pushing as high as P2 overnight – a fantastic achievement.

Unfortunately, a small error on the final morning led to a time-loss that dropped them out of podium contention, bringing a disappointing end to an otherwise promising weekend. Despite the setback, their performance was a clear sign of exciting potential ahead. Ioan summed it up after the rally:

“Barum bit us this time, but we’ll bounce back stronger. No failures, only lessons.”

JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion: September 4 - 7

And bounce back stronger they did. Just weeks later, the pair stormed to victory on home soil at Rali Ceredigion, Wales’ premier rally event based in Aberystwyth – and a huge occasion for Welsh motorsport.

Although not part of the Junior ERC calendar, the event was a major milestone. Ioan and Sion dominated the front wheel drive category, finishing 1st in class and 10th overall. They tackled 22 miles of mid-Wales’ most iconic and demanding stages, including Devil’s Staircase and Mydroilyn, before crossing the finish line in front of packed crowds on the streets of Aberystwyth.

Competing once again in their Peugeot 208 Rally4, Ioan captured the emotion of the moment:

“Fantastic, delighted, loved it! It is something special to win at home and probably a bit of a childhood dream to win the two wheel drive category here as well. Seeing so many family and friends out there on the stages has been special.”

He also paid tribute to his supporters, including those based in the Aberystwyth area for their ongoing support.

Looking Ahead - Croatia Rally: October 3 – 5

The final round of the 2025 Junior ERC takes place at the Croatia Rally, where Ioan and Sion remain firmly in contention for the ERC4 title. With five rounds completed, only the best five results count towards the championship standings.

We’re incredibly proud to support Ioan Lloyd Rallying and can’t wait to see what the final round brings.

Wishing the best of luck once again to Ioan and Sion – your determination and resilience on this journey continues to inspire us all!