Amittrajit Ghosh will use the FIA European Rally Championship to gain essential experience as he looks to progress to the world stage in the future.

The multiple national racing and rally champion from India has only rallied outside his homeland once before, but will start the process of expanding his international knowledge when he contests the EKO Acropolis Rally in Greece from 1-3 June, a prelude to a planned full-season ERC assault in 2019.

“It is a proud moment to be competing in the ERC,” said London-based Ghosh, part of the Team RRPM organisation. “Our aim will be to gather valuable miles and experience through this year in preparation for an all-out assault in the next. I want to thank RRPM for getting us here and our new sponsor, Pana Education, for coming on board at this important juncture of our career.”

A double Indian champion from Kolkata, Ghosh will pilot a Ford Fiesta R2 for Latvia-based Baltic Motorsport Promotion alongside long-term co-driver Ashwin Naik. They will be eligible for points in the ERC3 category for two-wheel-drive machinery.

Prior to his outing on the EKO Acropolis Rally, Ghosh will contest the all-gravel Rally Talsi-Rally of Champions in Latvia on 19 May. “I am treating Rally Talsi as a test event to get used to the car,” said Ghosh, who drove a Mahindra XUV 500 in the Indian championship last season. “Like they say, there is no better practice than match practice.”

Jean-Baptiste Ley, the ERC Co-ordinator, said: “Amittrajit Ghosh’s decision to choose the ERC to build his experience of international competition is further proof of the championship’s widespread appeal and the successful role it plays in helping drivers to progress. And by choosing the ERC, Amittrajit can test himself on challenging, well-run rallies and against a strong line-up of drivers. Furthermore, with NEO Sports broadcasting highlights of the ERC in India, Amittrajit’s commercial partners will be able to get a return on their investment.”

ERC promoter Eurosport Events first joined forces with India-based NEO Sports in 2017. Available also in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, NEO Sports will broadcast a 44-minute highlights programme following each European championship rally, plus the 24-minute ERC All Access show, which goes behind the scenes at each event.