Last winter, Rovanperä started in the Jyväskylä Winter Rally, part of the Finnish Rally Championship series, with his Toyota Starlet as a zero car. The world champion attracted a large audience to the special stages, but unfortunately, the star driver’s run ended early due to technical problems.
Rovanperä plans to get behind the wheel of the Starlet again in the upcoming season domestically. And possibly in the same competition, Rovanperä’s co-driver Jonne Halttunen might also be seen in action as a driver, as was the case in the Jyväskylä Winter Rally.
“Yes, that’s the goal. Both cars are under construction. Jonne’s car is undergoing more changes, and there are also a few small things that need to be done to my car” Rovanperä tells Rallit.fi.
“Hopefully, we’ll get them ready for the winter or at least by spring and go out for a quick spin somewhere.”
During the winter season, Rovanperä will likely have more free time, although he has not yet confirmed in which World Rally Championship events he will be seen. Rovanperä’s first WRC rally of the season is expected to be in mid-February in Sweden, but his next event may not be scheduled until early summer.
The Finnish Rally Championship series kicks off next week in Riihimäki. In addition, the iconic Arctic Lapland Rally is set to take place at the beginning of February, and the Tuuri Rally at the beginning of March. Of course, other smaller rallies will also be held during the winter – also in Rovanperä’s home region of Central Finland.
Rovanperä has mentioned that he is interested in other types of driving besides rallying this year. It has even been speculated that he could get to test an F1 car.
“It definitely interests me. Let’s hope it happens. It’s very possible. Discussions are already underway, Rovanperä hinted.”
