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The 2022 FIA European Rally Championship title fight starts in northern Portugal this weekend when the challenging gravel stages of Rally Serras de Fafe – Felgueiras – Cabreira e Boticas put 40 top drivers to the test.

Having first run in 1953, the ERC is the oldest rally series in the world. It’s recognised as the established feeder to the FIA World Rally Championship, with drivers using the series to build and then showcase their skills before they step up to the sport’s highest echelon.

Spaniard Efrén Llarena, whose co-driver Sara Fernández became the first woman to win the ERC co-drivers’ title last season, heads the entries.

A former Junior ERC champion, Llarena won a practice event in Spain last weekend and will be eager to avoid a repeat of the high-speed crash that he suffered in Fafe last season.

“We will be working 100 per cent to take victory but it will be tough for sure,” the 26-year-old said. “To be on the podium would be the best way to start with Team MRF Tyres in the ERC but there is a chance it will rain a lot and when we had conditions like this last year it was the most difficult rally of my life.” Erik Cais, 22, was once a successful downhill mountain bike racer until injury halted his career. The Czech is now showing great promise in rallying and will join a host of drivers in trying to prevent Llarena from winning. He drives a Ford Fiesta.

Other frontrunners include Hungarian champion Norbert Herczig, Romanian Simone Tempestini, Italy’s Simone Campedelli, all driving Fabias, and Spanish talent Nil Solans in a Volkswagen Polo GTI.