Eamonn Kelly steps up to the world stage for 2023

Frosses rally driver Eamonn Kelly will step up to the hotly-contested FIA Junior WRC series in 2023.

Kelly will have regular co-driver Conor Mohan in tow when he takes on Rally Sweden's snow and ice from February 9-12.

The 24-year-old will be behind the wheel of a four-wheel-drive M-Sport Poland Ford Fiesta Rally3 in the one-make championship.

"I believe it is the best place for me to go to further myself and my rallying career," Kelly said.

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"It is a hugely exciting challenge with a lot of firsts - I can't wait. The past two years of my rally career have been very positive with good success, so I feel the time is right to make a jump like this."

Next weekend, Kelly will take part in the Arctic Lapland Rally, where he will get his first taste of rallying on snow and his first opportunity to drive the Ford Fiesta Rally3.

In 2022, Kelly was confirmed by Motorsport Ireland as the winner of the prestigious Billy Coleman Award, given to the Young Rally Driver of the Year.

Kelly won the Junior British Rally Championship, landing €100,000 worth of support to contest rallies nationally and internationally in 2023.

A son of former Irish Tarmac Rally champion Donagh Kelly, he competed in the Junior BRC behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta Rally4 while his campaign was also supplemented with drives in a Volkswagen Polo GTi R5.

The FIA Junior WRC has proved to be a launchpad for many successful stars, with several graduates of the series going on to forge long careers at the pinnacle of the sport.

Kelly will be looking to follow in the footsteps of former Junior WRC champions including Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier who, between themselves, have amassed 17 world titles.