The title that would top off Fulton’s time with McErlean
Cavan co-driver James Fulton is set to pair up with leading World Rally Championship compatriot Craig Breen from next month’s Rally Japan.
Fulton will fill the role freed up by Paul Nagle who announced his WRC retirement at the start of October.
The experienced Kerry navigator, who has amassed over 100 WRC starts, will partner Breen in their Ford Puma Rally1 for the final time on next week’s Rally Spain.
The Catalonian classic will also draw a close to Fulton’s 14-month partnership with Josh McErlean. The young Motorsport Ireland duo have made strides together in 2022, tackling seven rounds in WRC2 Junior.
In fact, their results have put Fulton in a strong position to win the category’s Co-Drivers’ Championship in Spain. A tally of eight points on the asphalt event would put the achievement beyond doubt.
“To win any WRC title would be amazing,” described Fulton. “It would be nice for the whole team to take away from the year and it would be the ideal send-off for myself and Josh’s time together.”
The 30-year-old has penned his own interesting route to navigate a way to rallying’s top tier. From Cavan’s Ford Escort heroes to American and Middle East Championship excursions, Fulton’s opportunity with Breen is just reward for that hard work and determination.
In turn, Fulton becomes the third co-driver in a row to jump from McErlean’s passenger seat into a top WRC seat.
“Josh is a brilliant lad. He has become one of my good mates since we started working together.
“We’ve had some great laughs along the way.
“He’s a brilliant driver who is very professional in his pre-event and on-event preparation.
“There is a big team of people behind us all in the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy who have given us massive support and none of this would be possible without them.
“It has been a tough year in terms of rally results but the experience gained puts him in a great position for next year.
“I have no doubt that he will be at the front.”
Well done boys, you have done us proud. Now go get that Co-Drivers’ Championship in Spain, and double the Irish success rate after Brian Hoy’s Junior title in September.
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Photos by Hyundai Motorsport and M-Sport
