Reigning Finnish Rallycross champion Juha Rytkönen will make his World Rallycross Championship bow on home soil later this month, driving a third Hyundai i20 for the Grönholm RX squad.
The former rally driver will race alongside Niclas Grönholm and Timur Timerzyanov at the frontrunning GRX team in the doubleheader event at Kouvola.
He joins Krisztián Szabó in what is set to be a revolving cast of drivers in the team’s third car in 2020.
“I’m extremely grateful to have this opportunity to race in the highest level of rallycross,” said Rytkönen. “Even more so – to race in Finland, at my favourite track and with a Finnish team is very exciting.
“After two years of racing at national and regional level, I feel I need to take the next step.
“Sure, to have one of the best cars at my disposal for this race also brings great responsibility, but I am ready to learn from the experienced GRX drivers and engineers and give my best at every single moment.”
Reinis Nitišs (pictured) and Toomas Heikkinen shared GRX's third car last year
Credit: World RX Media
Rytkönen took last year’s Finnish Supercars crown after claiming two wins and finishing on the podium at every round.
It was his first full year in the category, having previously triumphed in Finnish Rallycross’s AutoCross class.
“Juha has progressed impressively in his rallycross career so far,” said SET Promotion boss and GRX Taneco team manager Jussi Pinomaki.
“His, and his partners’, mature approach of building Juha’s career has impressed us, and we felt this is a story we really want to be a part of.
“Juha’s experience from various different cars in the past, combined with his humble attitude, will give him a solid base to continue developing further.
“We as a team will try to help him with our experience in the best way we can, and hopefully we are able to progress through the weekend and have a solid race together.”
