Double World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä will be taking on a new challenge at the 2024 Killarney Towers Hotel Historic Stages Rally, scheduled for Saturday 30 November. The Finnish sensation, known for his prowess behind the wheel of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRC GR Yaris Rally1, will swap his usual ride for a rear-wheel-drive Toyota Starlet to tackle Ireland’s iconic asphalt stages for the very first time.
Joining him will be his trusted World Rally Championship co-driver, Jonne Halttunen, as the duo makes their debut in the historic and modified rally scene. Their participation has been made possible through the efforts of Ireland’s own rally driver Jason Black, who graciously offered his BMV Rally Team Toyota Starlet for Rovanperä’s special appearance.
“It’s an absolute thrill to have Kalle and Jonne come to Ireland,” said Black, the owner of the Toyota Starlet. “The idea came to mind when Kalle started his part-time WRC season this year, and it’s been a pleasure to make it happen.”
The Killarney Towers Hotel Historic Stages Rally will feature eight stages in a four-by-two format on the classic Killarney terrain, concluding with a thrilling final stage that runs both in daylight and under the cover of darkness—a true test of skill and endurance.
“Having Kalle Rovanperä compete here shows the event’s popularity. His presence will add to the buzz, and we’re thrilled to return to the classic Killarney stages that have made this rally so renowned,” said Clerk of the Course Anthony O’Connor.
The opportunity to bring Rovanperä to the event was brokered by local co-driver and former WRC star Paul Nagle, who expressed his excitement: “It will be very special to see Kalle and Jonne compete on Moll’s Gap. An opportunity to have current WRC stars competing on the popular end-of-season event may not happen again for many years, as next year the rally will clash with the new Saudi Arabian WRC event.”
Rovanperä, who took the rallying world by storm, entered WRC2 days after his 17th birthday and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming WRC2 champion just two years later. At only 22 years old, he made history as the youngest ever World Rally Champion in 2022. He successfully defended his title in 2023 before opting for a part-time programme in 2024, which allowed him the flexibility to take on unique events like the Killarney Historic Stages.
The 2024 Killarney Towers Hotel Historic Stages Rally marks the start of the 2025 Historic Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, with approximately 150 cars expected to compete. The entry list is limited to Historic and Modified machinery, ensuring a diverse field of some of the most iconic rally cars.
Past winners of the Killarney Historic Rally include rally legends like Dessie Nutt, Jimmy McRae, the late Craig Breen, and Jonny Greer. Rovanperä, however, will be up against stiff competition in the modified category from local drivers Rob Duggan, Conor Murphy, Colin O’Donoghue, and several of Ireland’s top rear-wheel-drive experts.
With Kalle Rovanperä’s participation confirmed, the 2024 Killarney Towers Hotel Historic Stages Rally is set to be a thrilling event that will attract rally enthusiasts from around the world. Be sure to mark your calendars for what promises to be an unforgettable day of rally action in the stunning Irish countryside!