Opel junior Carlberg celebrates the runner-up title

Opel junior Calle Carlberg wins the season finale and celebrates the runner-up title.

Calle Carlberg left nothing to chance at the final of the Junior European Rally Championship (JERC) 2024 and secured the runner-up title with victory at the Rally Silesia in Poland. In the asphalt event, which was made more difficult by treacherous external conditions, the 24-year-old Swede and his Norwegian co-driver Jørgen Eriksen were in a class of their own in the Opel Corsa Rally4 entered by Stohl Racing. The Scandinavians from the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team set the fastest time in nine of the 13 special stages and were 27.6 seconds ahead of Max McRae in the Peugeot 208 Rally4. This meant that Carlberg overtook the Scot in the overall standings to take second place behind his compatriot and Opel brand colleague Mille Johansson.

“I’m overjoyed,” beamed Carlberg at the finish. “This rally was the crowning conclusion to a great season. We fought all year long, achieved four podium places, and now we’ve finally managed to win. My thanks go to the entire ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team and everyone who made this great season possible. Above all, I would like to thank everyone at Opel Motorsport who believed in me. Opel is the only manufacturer that gives young talents such a development opportunity. That cannot be appreciated enough. I hope to be there again next year, preferably in the same racing suit. I would probably wash it beforehand…”

Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott praised not only his junior’s enormous driving talent, but also his personality: “It’s a real pleasure to work with Calle. He is incredibly eager to learn and open-minded, he listens and can implement what he hears. He’s also a really great guy who’s just fun to be with. With his consistent performance throughout the entire season, he has earned the runner-up title. The same goes for Manfred Stohl’s team: The team simply works and is there when it’s needed. And Manfred’s huge experience is simply priceless. Praise and thanks to everyone involved!”