Juha Kankkunen will be reunited with former co-driver Juha Repo when he returns to the World Rally Championship in Finland next month.
Last week it emerged that the four-time world title-winner was contemplating a one-off return to the WRC on Neste Oil Rally Finland, which turns 60 when it runs from July 29-31, reported www.wrc.com.
Yesterday (Monday), event officials confirmed that the 51-year-old would contest the high-speed gravel rally in a Ford Focus RS WRC, entered under the Stobart M-Sport Ford Rally Team banner and co-driven by Repo.
Kankkunen, 51, and Repo, 52, competed together from 1997 until the end of 2002, when Kankkunen called time on his glittering career in the WRC.
He had been tipped to link up with Briton Nicky Grist for the Jyvaskyla-based event after the pair contested the Rallye de Portugal Revival together last month, but opted to partner Repo instead.
Despite his advancing years and lack of familiarity with the Focus, Kankkunen is targeting a top 10 finish on home soil.
“It’s going to be great to drive again, especially in the jubilee rally,” said Kankkunen. “This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a World Rally Car, knowing they’ll disappear from the series after this season. I haven’t spent much time in the latest generation cars but you still use one wheel to turn two with them. The target is a place in the top 10 and to battle with [Citroen Junior Team driver and ex-Formula One racer] Kimi Raikkonen.”
Repo’s last appearance at WRC level was on Rally Finland in 2003, when he navigated the 1981 world rally champion Ari Vatanen in a Bozian Racing-run Peugeot 206 WRC.
“Ari finished 11th when he was last here in 2003 so we need to do better,” said Repo. “I believe that of all successful drivers of the 1980s, Juha is in the sharpest form today. He has regularly taken part in invitational events and also kept in touch through his own driving academy.”
Kankkunen’s first Rally Finland (formerly the 1000 Lakes Rally) was in 1979 when he finished 14th overall in a Ford Escort. He won the event three times in 1991, 1993 and 1999.
Kankkunen’s return will be documented on Finnish television station MTV3.
– Credit: www.wrc.com