Juha Kankkunen returns to rallying

[Mini]

18/6/10


Kankkunen (right) and co-driver Nicky Grist won the Rallye de Portugal Revival

Juha Kankkunen returns to rallying

Rally legend Juha Kankkunen has admitted that he is in discussions to drive a Ford Focus RS WRC on next month’s Neste Oil Rally Finland. He last competed in a modern World Rally Car on the 2002 Rally Great Britain, where he finished ninth in a Hyundai Accent WRC.

Kankkunen’s agreement - reckoned to be a one-off deal at the moment - is expected to be announced before the end of June. The 51-year-old made his World Rally Championship debut on his home round of the series in 1979. He went on to win the event three times, contesting it for the last time with Hyundai in 2002.

Kankkunen said: “The possibility is there and of course I want to say yes. It would be nice to go and drive one of the current World Rally Cars before they are finished at the end of the season. But it’s only when I try it that I’ll be able to see if the modern cars are as easy to drive as some people say they are.”

Kankkunen was linked to a WRC return on a limited programme last season. He admitted this remains something he would be interested in.

“Why not?” he said. “The cars are good. Let’s see what happens. If I did Finland, it would be tough to compete with the boys - they are in these cars all of the time. At least I would know the roads!”

Kankkunen was recently reunited with former co-driver Nicky Grist, when the pair won the Rallye de Portugal Revival together. The four-time world champion added that Grist would be a sensible option for a possible outing in Jyvaskyla from July 29-31.

Kankkunen’s car is expected to run with backing from Neste, the oil company that has been a long-term sponsor of the Neste Rally Finland. He will also aim to have at least one day of testing before tackling the specialised stages.

In recent years, it has become something of a tradition for Finnish rally legends to come out of retirement for a final drive on their home event. Markku Alen contested the 2001 Rally Finland in a Ford Focus WRC, finishing 16th, while Ari Vatanen drove a Peugeot 206 WRC to 11th on the 2003 Rally Finland.

http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=10 ... o+rallying

[foss]

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[tr1ad]

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[AutoSport]

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This would be another master stroke and giant step for the TTRC to get Ari and Nicky for RT2011.

Forget who have Nicky autograph, is who have his cell no.!

[De Bench]

bring back Ari

This would be another master stroke and giant step for the TTRC to get Ari and Nicky for RT2011.
Forget who have Nicky autograph, is who have his cell no.!

Tel: +44 (0)1981 241040

http://www.nickygrist.com/contact-us-2-w.asp

[foss]

bring back Ari

This would be another master stroke and giant step for the TTRC to get Ari and Nicky for RT2011.

Forget who have Nicky autograph, is who have his cell no.!

u iz ah shotta oui

[tr1ad]

bench...

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[Mini]

22/6/10

Repo joins Kankkunen in his WRC comeback
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.

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.