Gill and Brkic well prepped for competitive JWRC attack

Taylor Gill and Dan Brkic will launch their second Junior WRC rally season this Thursday in the ice and snow conditions of Umea, Sweden, and Gill feels that he’s better prepared after coming unstuck in 2024.

Alongside his co-driver Brkic, the FIA Rally Star pair will have less competition (numbers wise) in their Ford Fiesta Rally3 than they did in 2024, but with the likes of Mille Johansson (ERC Junior champion), Max Smart, and Diego Domínguez around them, taking the title will be a tough task.

After jumping out of the gates on the first day in Sweden last year, their approach for 2025 has seen them with a much better preparation for the very particular conditions.

“Last year we were quick out of the blocks; there was a lot of pressure and nerves being the first snow rally, and my first in the WRC. I had a lot on my mind,” Gill said.

“It was awesome to be fast at the start, and was unfortunate that it was bad luck which was our undoing.

“This year, we’re better prepared, and know what we are in for, so hopefully we can again be quick from the start, but keep ourselves clear of the snow banks and other dangers that could hurt our chances.”

Drivers have to be wary of sliding into the banks, though they can be used as a slingshot also with some great skill. Image: Nikos Katikis / DPPI

One issue for Gill is getting the seat time prior to events (which you can help with by clicking the link at the bottom of the article), as he explained what he’s up against in 2025.

“It’s great to be competing against some familiar faces again this year,” he continued.

“The competition will again be right up there, and we’ll need to be our best at every rally of the year to be able to match it at the top.

“Mille (Johansson)’s experience in Sweden will be hard to beat, and he, like some other drivers, has a packed schedule for 2025, so we’ll struggle to get the same amount of seat time (as them), but we’ll make do.”

Gill and Brkic led after the first day of action in Sweden in 2024

Brkic explained that their seat time prior to Sweden has been pretty helpful, with over 200km of testing under the belts.

“We were pretty much in the car the day we got back to Finland for a small test close to home,” Brkic said from their home in Vaaksy, Finland.

“Then, last week we completed over 200 kilometres of testing with our FIA Rally Star teammates in Norway, giving us a really good shakedown.

“Taylor drove really well, and it was great to be back in the car together after some five months away.

“With the experience we now have, I’ve got no doubt we’re better placed going into the rally this year. Hopefully the good feeling is transferred to the results page.”

After Sweden, the JWRC crews also head to Portugal, Greece, Finland and Central Europe, with the final round being worth double points.

You can support the Aussie hopefuls by contributing to the supporters club, which will net you some merchandise and media packages via a $150 dollar contribution that will greatly assist towards the pair in getting more vital test days.

Visit www.taylorgillmotorsport.com/supporters for more info.

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