Two-time world champion Kalle Rovanperä will drive a Toyota Starlet at next month’s Killarney Historic Rally.
The Finn’s first competitive rally outing in Ireland will come at the wheel of Jason Black’s sensational 2.5-liter Starlet – and just one week on from the conclusion of this year’s World Rally Championship in Japan.
Rovanperä does have experience of Irish motorsport, having tackled the 2022 Driftmaster event at Mondello Park.
“I know rallying is big in Ireland,” the Finn told DirtFish. “It’s a little bit like being at home in Finland. I heard about Killarney from my team-mate and friend Aaron [Johnston]. He has been telling me about this event for while. He’s helped to fix everything for me, so thanks to him.
“It sounds like a really cool rally with lots of fans and some nice roads. From drifting, I know Conor [Shanahan Irish drift star] and he has talked a lot about Killarney and, of course, the same from Craig [Breen]. Craig was always telling us we should do the rally in Ireland.
“So now we’re going to do that.
The car Rovanperä will use is good for around 380bhp
“As well as Aaron’s help, I’m really grateful to Jason for letting me use his car. I saw some videos, it looks really nice and quick as well – something like 380bhp. I think that’s enough! I haven’t done so much watching of the onboards yet, but I saw some clips from the Moll’s Gap stage. This looks something special, so many fans there and such an amazing atmosphere.
“I’m looking forward to the rally and to seeing so many of the fans out there.”
FIA sporting delegate and Killarney man Paul Nagle knows what Rovanperä’s entry means to a rally his father Maurice used to organize.
“It’s huge,” said the former world rally winning co-driver. “Killarney is always one of the biggest days on the Irish rallying calendar and it just got bigger. The event was sold out with 175 entries last year and we expect to see the same this time around.
“To see Kalle Rovanperä going up Moll’s Gap in Jason’s Starlet will be one of the sights of the season. We’re delighted to have the reigning world champion with us.”
Stay tuned to DirtFish for the inside line on how Jason Black did the deal everybody in Ireland will be talking about this year.
Rovanperä is also set to emulate Henning Solberg by contesting the Fiorio Cup
And Killarney Historic isn’t the only rally Rovanperä will be taking on soon for a bit of fun. On Friday he was also announced as a participant in the Fiorio Cup rally, a rallysprint-style event that pitches Italy’s best against star drivers from the rest of Europe. As the name suggests, the rally is organized by the Fiorio family, including former Lancia rally boss Cesare Fiorio and former WRC driver Alex Fiorio.
“I am very pleased that Kalle has accepted our invitation,” said Cesare Fiorio. “I am very curious to get to know this young champion and how our national drivers will perform in a battle where they are certainly not the favorites!”
Four-time Italian champion Andrea Crugnola has won every edition of the Fiorio Cup so far. Drivers take turns of two identical cars across four passes of a special stage, run twice in each direction, to decide the victor.
