Gravel-dominating Rally Star Crews Triumph at Rally Portugal

In the ongoing 2025 Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC), the Rally Star contingent displayed another impressive performance during Rally de Portugal. Taylor Gill and Daniel Brkic clinched their second consecutive victory in a commanding display, while Max Smart rallied back for a season-best result, accompanied by new co-driver Malcolm Read.

Gill and Brkic have been unstoppable, securing their second back-to-back triumph. They swiftly charged into the lead on SS2 and sustained a dominant pace throughout the event while facing pressure from rival Mille Johansson. The victory sees Gill level with Johansson at the top of the standings, positioning both drivers for an exhilarating battle in the final three rounds of the championship.

Smart, who endured a challenging start in Sweden, delivered a barnstorming comeback in Portugal. With the sole dropped-points round now behind him, the young South African driver displayed remarkable composure for a strong fifth-place finish overall, and third in the WRC3 category. He was within striking distance of fourth before a bent steering arm forced him to cautiously navigate the final stages. Partnering with Read for the first time, Smart demonstrated increased speed and confidence on gravel, signifying a clear step up in performance.

In the WRC2 category, Romet Jürgenson continued his progress through a fiercely competitive field, recording another solid step in his Rally2 development. Despite the daunting challenge, the M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2 team coped stage by stage, advancing through the order during the weekend. The duo set top-10 WRC2 stage times on Sunday, ultimately finishing 11th in WRC2 and 7th in the WRC2 Challenger category.

With Greece's EKO Acropolis Rally looming on the horizon, scheduled for 26-29 June, Gill and Smart will be the focus of the Junior WRC Championship's following round. Known for its punishing gravel roads, soaring summer temperatures, and unforgiving conditions, the Acropolis is a true test of endurance. Meanwhile, Jürgenson prepares for the Jim Clark Rally on 23 May in a Rally2 car, as part of his British Rally Championship campaign, backed by M-Sport. He will then return to WRC2 competition at Rally Italia Sardegna from 5-8 June.

Jerome Roussel, our platform Rally Star Project Leader, reflected on Portugal's results, stating, "We depart Portugal with a string of positive outcomes again. Taylor's consistent strategy served him well, enabling him to clinch his second win of the season. Max also delivered an impressive rally, showcasing incredible consistency with real pace, which is even more impressive considering Malcolm was his new co-driver. Romet faced stiff competition in a tough rally, but he remained focused, continued to build speed and confidence, and ultimately finished with a solid 7th-place finish in the Challenger class. All three crews have made consistent improvements across the season, and we eagerly anticipate the next challenge in Sardinia."

Gill expressed his satisfaction, saying, "I'm thrilled with the result. It was a demanding rally under intense pressure, but Daniel and I executed our plan, managed the conditions well, and brought the car home cleanly. Mille put up a formidable fight, but we emerged victorious, which made it even more special, especially with my father watching from the stages. The team has been outstanding, and we are learning more with every rally."

Smart was equally pleased, stating, "I feel fantastic after Portugal. Malcolm and I clicked almost instantly, and he did an amazing job. We went all out, fought for every position, and even though we incurred a setback after hitting a rock near the end, I'm proud of how we recovered. Our pace and consistency were a clear improvement, and I'm keen to carry this momentum into Greece."

Jürgenson echoed the optimism, stating, "Portugal presented a massive challenge due to the stacked WRC2 field, but it was a valuable learning experience. I focused on building confidence and understanding the car more with every stage. By Sunday, our pace had vastly improved, and I'm happy we came away with points and a clean run. It was a significant step forward, and I'm excited to build upon this in Sardinia, where I feel more at home."

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The racing competition has accelerated as Gill and Brkic have clinched their second back-to-back victory in the Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC), and demonstrated impressive speed and confidence in auto-racing events such as the grand-prix of rallying. Meanwhile, Max Smart, with his new co-driver Malcolm Read, displayed remarkable improvement in performance, securing a season-best result in the WRC3 category during Rally de Portugal.