Ali Türkkan and his co-driver Burak Erdener concluded a challenging Junior WRC (JWRC) season with a third-place finish. Despite the mechanical issues they faced during the Acropolis Rally, one of the most difficult races of the season, the duo fought their way back to finish fifth in the race and secured third place overall in the world standings.
As part of Castrol Ford Team Turkey, Türkkan, the youngest rally champion from Turkey, consistently performed throughout the season, winning at least one stage in every rally and even leading several races. Although unfortunate mechanical problems and bad luck in key rallies, such as those in Austria and Greece, denied them victories, their persistence and competitiveness allowed them to maintain a strong presence in the championship.
Reflecting on the season, Türkkan expressed pride in their achievements but also noted the near-misses in securing first place, attributing them to various setbacks including race stewards’ decisions and moments of bad luck. Nonetheless, the team never gave up and ultimately finished the season as the third-best junior rally team in the world.
This achievement brings great pride to Turkish motorsports and showcases their perseverance in the face of adversity.
