Mille Johansson made a spectacular debut in the FIA ERC3 Championship at Rally Silesia, sweeping the field with a series of stage wins that not only demonstrated his skill but also underscored his potential in higher categories. Driving a Hankook-equipped Ford Fiesta Rally3, Johansson, the recently crowned 2024 FIA ERC4 and FIA Junior ERC champion, displayed remarkable speed and control throughout the event.
Starting strong, Johansson was the fastest in class across the initial stages of the rally, eventually ending the first leg with a substantial lead of 1 minute and 24 seconds. His dominance continued into the final day, where he expanded his advantage to an impressive 3 minutes and 53.6 seconds by the rally’s conclusion.
“It’s been pretty okay, but I’m not happy with my pace,” Johansson admitted. “I want to be faster and closer to the Rally2s, but I’m still learning a lot, and it’s going better and better on every stage. I struggled a bit to get used to four-wheel drive, but after half of the first stage, it has been going good, but still, I’m missing some pace to be really competitive. But it’s still fun to be here, to race without pressure and to learn. It’s been good to this point.”
Meanwhile, the Polish driver Hubert Kowalczyk finished in a commendable second place. Driving a Pirelli-shod Renault Clio Rally3, Kowalczyk was focused on a consistent and cautious approach, aiming to secure points for the Polish championship, which he led coming into the rally. “We are here to finish this rally because we are leading in the points in the Polish championship, so we are consistently realizing our plans,” Kowalczyk said, expressing contentment with his performance.
Igor Widłak, another Polish competitor, completed the podium in third place despite facing a series of challenges, including a power issue and a puncture. His rally was marked by recovery from a ditch mishap during the earlier stages, where he required spectator assistance. “We landed in a trench, and we needed help from the spectators,” Widłak recalled. “We lost five or six minutes, but this is rally, and I am happy to be here. The fun is coming back to me, I have a smile on my face, and this is important because I am still building my confidence after my crash in Rome.”
Martin Ravenščak, despite facing his own series of setbacks including a trip into a ditch and a wheel damage, managed to finish fourth. His perseverance not only highlighted his resolve but also ensured his co-driver and sister, Dora Ravenščak, clinched the runner-up spot in the FIA ERC3 Championship for Co-Drivers. “It was a really good season, it was something new for us on a much higher level than we are used to. It’s really been a blast, and we’re very happy to be here. Hopefully, we can be here next year,” Dora said, reflecting on their journey.
As Rally Silesia wrapped up, the performances from these young drivers not only provided thrilling racing action but also pointed to promising futures in the rally world, with Johansson’s debut victory heralding the arrival of a significant new talent on the ERC stage.
Overall Results
01: M. Johansson / J. Gronvall (Ford Fiesta Rally3) – 1h 50m 45.2s
02: H. Kowalcyzk / J. Hryniuk (Renault Clio Rally3) + 3m 53.6s
03: I. Widlak / M. Marczewski (Ford Fiesta Rally3) + 15m 54.7s
04: M. Ravenscak / D. Ravenscak (Ford Fiesta Rally3) + 44m 41.0s
