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Chiller thriller for WRC crews this week

Published: 25th February 2021 Author: Robin Roberts

Online version: https://www.wheelswithinwales.uk/chiller-thriller-for-wrc-crews-this-week/

Three days of Arctic WRC action puts drivers’ skills to the test this week.

The plans are for the Rovaniemi round of the WRC to be driven as a three-day event: the action starts on Friday 26 February with a shakedown in the morning.

The first special stages of the rally proper will be driven on Friday evening and the competition continues on Saturday 27 February with three stages that will all be driven twice in and around the Rovaniemi area.

The Finland Powered by CapitalBox ends on Sunday 28 February with the rally- closing taking place in the afternoon after ten special stages and the total distance of approximately 260 kilometres.

It’s the second visit of the season which began in January as Finland hosts two rounds this www.wheelswithinwales.uk

year.

Finland hosted not just one, but two FIA events, when in addition to Jyväskylä, the best rally drivers in the world will also be competing against each other in the middle of the Arctic scenery of Rovaniemi in the Finnish Lapland.

Extra special attention will be paid to the Coronavirus responsibility practices, and the organisers will strictly adhere to all the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the state, the local authorities as well as the FIA and there will not be any spectator stages but enthusiasts are being encouraged to listen and watch on line or on TV.

It’s been described as “A one-of-a-kind sports event!” and the new host city of the Finnish WRC round driven 26 – 28 February 2021 is eager to show off its most fascinating sides and provide the best possible service.

“We are proud to be involved in bringing the Arctic to Rovaniemi. The Arctic elements, the snow and ice, create unique conditions for the WRC event. Our city is supporting the organisation in every way possible by building a high-quality setting for this one-of-a-kind sports event”, says the pleased Chair of the Rovaniemi City Board Liisa Ansala.

It boasts 13 entries in the headlining category, plus a further 32 between the supporting WRC2 and WRC3 divisions. Of that number, 10 crews are entered in WRC2, the highest since the WRC’s principal support championship was split into two tiers ahead of the 2019 season.

Home representation is also strong with 21 Finnish crews signing up to contest the exciting winter spectacular located close to the Arctic Circle in Finland’s northernmost Lapland region.

Seven-time world champion and championship leader following his Rallye Monte-Carlo triumph last month, Sébastien Ogier heads the Arctic Rally Finland Powered by CapitalBox entry list in the Gazoo Racing WRT-run Yaris WRC he shares with co-driver and www.wheelswithinwales.uk

fellow Frenchman . Ogier is part of a four-strong Toyota attack, which is overseen by Jari-Matti Latvala and completed byElfyn Evans/, / and Flying Finns Kalle Rovanperä/.

Breen joins Hyundai’s tweaked victory push

As well as counting on Thierry Neuvile/ and Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja in its pursuit of a first WRC victory of 2021, the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team has added / to its attack on Arctic Rally Finland Powered by CapitalBox. Pierre-Louis Loubet/ and /Aaron Johnston form the Hyundai 2C Competition Manufacturer Team line-up, with 19-year-old Solberg and Johnston preparing to sample a Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC for the first time, their debut at world ’s top level.

Suninen aiming to fly for M-Sport www.wheelswithinwales.uk

After their hopes of Rallye Monte-Carlo success ended with an opening-stage crash, Finns / will be aiming to fly for the M-Sport on Arctic Rally Finland. / are entered in a second Ford Fiesta WRC, while Lorenzo Bertelli is set to start his first world championship event since Copec Rally Chile in May 2019 in a third Fiesta. Simone Scattolin co-drives his fellow Italian, while Finns /Reeta Hämäläinen are also Fiesta WRC-powered for the privateer Janpro squad.

Adrien Fourmaux racing during the M sport PET in Rovaniemi, Finland will show off the new livery in the event (above).