Central European Rally (16–19 October) presents the first asphalt challenge of the 2025 Junior WRC season, as the cross-border event returns for its third edition. For the FIA Rally Star crews, it marks the final round of their 2025 campaigns. Offering a fitting stage to showcase their progress and a final chance to secure the coveted WRC2 prize drive.

Since joining the calendar in 2023, Central European Rally has built a reputation as one of the most distinctive asphalt events on the WRC calendar. Based in Passau, Germany, it remains the only rally to traverse three nations on a single itinerary, taking in roads across Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. The stages offer a wide variety of surfaces, grip levels and characteristics, from fast, flowing country lanes to narrow, technical forest sections where mud and gravel often collect on the racing line.

This year’s event will once again test the FIA Rally Star crews to the limit, demanding that the WRC stars of tomorrow draw on all they have learned throughout their Junior WRC journey. Correct tyre selection, suspension set-up and a measured approach will be critical in navigating stages that often feel closer to loose-surface rallies than pure tarmac. With double points on offer, every kilometre counts, and while Taylor Gill currently holds a 14-point lead, the championship remains finely poised.

Gill targeting second consecutive FIA Rally Star crown

Australia’s Taylor Gill has been in a class of his own this season, finishing on the podium at every round of the 2025 Junior WRC. He arrives in Central Europe fresh from a strong second-place finish on the fast gravel of Finland, leading the standings on 100 points and looking to seal the title with one final push.

“I’m feeling relaxed and confident,” said Gill. “It’s basically winner takes all between myself and Mille. We’ve done good preparation and feel ready to go. The plan is simple - take it stage by stage and let the result come naturally.”

In preparation for the event, Gill and co-driver Daniel Brkic made their European Rally Championship debut at Croatia Rally, gaining valuable asphalt experience. Gill described it as “a different kind of challenge,” adding: “I’m still learning and getting more comfortable with each event. Asphalt driving demands a different mindset. I raced go-karts when I was younger, so it feels somewhat natural, but the conditions in Croatia were tricky, wet, slippery and unpredictable. We managed to win our category, which was great, but the goal was really to get experience on this kind of surface. It’s very similar to what we’ll face at CER, so that rally has set us up perfectly.”

Gill and Brkic remain laser-focused on securing a strong result and becoming the second FIA Rally Star crew to claim the Junior WRC crown, following Romet Jürgenson’s success in 2024. Reflecting on that possibility, Gill said: “It would be pretty special to take the championship, they wouldn’t even need to take the livery off Romet’s car! Having two FIA Rally Star drivers win the Junior WRC in back-to-back seasons would be incredible and a true testament to the programme. It shows that the talent is out there; it just needs to be found, developed and supported the right way. To claim the title here would be a dream come true and a huge credit to Jérôme and everyone behind the programme.”

Smart targets strong conclusion to 2025 campaign

Max Smart and co-driver Malcolm Read head to Central Europe sitting eighth in the Junior WRC standings and determined to secure their first podium of the season. The South African duo came heartbreakingly close in Greece, running in second before a hidden rock ended their rally prematurely.

Now, returning for their final outing of 2025, Smart is focused on delivering a strong result to close out his FIA Rally Star journey. Central European Rally will be only his second asphalt event in Junior WRC, but he has been working hard to prepare. “I’ve spent a lot of time at the karting track driving DD2s,” Smart explained. “I’ve also been in the simulator and on slalom courses and talking to other drivers about techniques for asphalt. The preparation’s gone well, and I’m feeling positive about the event.”

While Smart admits gravel remains his preferred surface, he’s clear about what it takes to succeed on asphalt. “The main thing is braking a lot later compared to gravel and carrying more speed through corners,” he said. “But grip in Central Europe can change instantly, you go from really high grip to muddy, slippery forest sections, so precision is everything. That’s what I’m aiming for this weekend.”

Looking ahead to his final event under the FIA Rally Star banner, Smart reflected on the journey with pride: “This programme has completely changed my life. Competing against the best young drivers in the world for the past two years has been amazing. To fight for podiums against guys with far more experience has shown me I’ve got the natural pace to be here. Finishing on the podium this weekend would be an incredible way to close my Rally Star chapter. I can’t thank the programme enough, it really gave me my start in this world.”

FIA Rally Star Project Leader Jérôme Roussel added: “It has been a true pleasure to watch these drivers develop from virtual novices into shining examples of the next generation of WRC talent. Both Taylor and Max have demonstrated exceptional growth and maturity — not just this season, but throughout their entire FIA Rally Star journeys. It doesn’t feel long ago that we were putting them through their paces during the talent detection programme, and to now see how far they’ve progressed in such a short period is a genuine testament to the strength and purpose of the FIA Rally Star programme.

For Taylor and Daniel, this weekend is absolutely pivotal. Central European Rally is a double-points round, and a strong performance here could secure the championship. They’ll need to draw on every lesson, every kilometre, and every ounce of experience they’ve gained over the past four years to deliver a complete, consistent drive and bring the title home. To see a second FIA Rally Star crew claim the Junior WRC crown in as many years, following Romet Jürgenson’s triumph in 2024, would be an immensely proud moment and a fitting reward for the programme’s commitment to nurturing world-class talent.

Max and Malcolm, meanwhile, have shown impressive perseverance and development across a challenging season. Their commitment and professionalism embody what this programme stands for. A strong result here would not only cap their campaign on a high note but also serve as a fitting finale for the FIA Rally Star programme, closing this extraordinary chapter with pride in what these young drivers have achieved.”