R OVA NP ERA ,17, READY FOR RALLY GB DEBUT

Young finn samples welsh stages in wrc2 machinery

Aged 17 years and 26 days, Kalle Rovanpera will make his World Rally Championship debut in a Ford Fiesta R5 at this week’s Wales Rally GB.

The Finn’s arrival in the WRC is one of the most talked about and eagerly anticipated in the history of the sport. Rovanpera tested his M-sport-run Fiesta in Sweet Lamb on Monday and admits he’s feeling apprehensive ahead of the event.

“There are some nerves,” he said. “My dad told me this is a tricky event in Wales. Normally now he’s not saying so much, just coming to the races with me, but this time he told me the grip and the weather can be tough – I saw this from the previous years, of course.”

Asked what he thought would be a good result, Rovanpera offered a candid response, saying: “First place! But I have to be realistic and a good rally for me would be on the podium, but with all of the WRC2 drivers coming, I think somewhere in the top five would also be good.”

Rovanpera will face fierce competition from regulars, including this year’s WRC2 champion Pontus Tidemand in a factory Skoda Fabia R5.

Rovanpera will have to go some to beat his father’s debut on the 1997 RAC Rally. A 31-year-old Harri finished ninth overall and won Formula 2 in a factory SEAT Ibiza, beating Renault driver Robbie Head by 15 minutes.

Rovanpera Sr told MN: “I always liked that rally in Britain. When the car was working, it was a really nice one. But I tell Kalle that something always happens on this rally. It’s foggy, dark, wet and then very wet! Look at Friday, all day with no service and then Saturday in the night. It’s tough and long and difficult and, like every rally, every result is waiting at the finish.”

Harri admitted the Rovanpera family was relaxed and ready.

“Kalle is OK and I am too,” he said. “There are no dramas and anyway, I can’t do anything to help him now – I have to sit in the service park and drink coffee!”