The two-time world champions are competing on Saturday in the traditional Killarney Historic Rally. They will be driving a rear-wheel-drive Toyota Starlet with over 360 horsepower, provided by the local BMV Rally Team.
Rovanperä got his first taste of the powerful Starlet on Thursday, where he faced an unusual challenge—the steering wheel is on the right-hand side, a rare setup for the Finnish driver. However, his initial encounter with the car during testing took place in dreadful conditions, as heavy rain poured down.
“It has been pretty tough weather today. Just a few runs up the road – not much testing, to be honest, because the weather is so bad and there’s a lot of standing water on the road,” Rovanperä explained in an interview with the BMV Rally Team.
“But the car feels good, everything is working, so I’m looking forward to the weekend. If we can get a bit better weather, it’s going to be awesomet.”
Check out the video of Rovanperä’s test below:
However, Rovanperä’s hopes for drier weather are unlikely to come true, as rain is forecasted for both Friday and Saturday in southwest Ireland.
Unlike WRC rallies, where Rovanperä studies stages extensively through video footage, he hasn’t spent hours preparing for this event. That’s entirely understandable, given the relaxed nature of his participation in Ireland.
When asked about his preparation for the historic rally, Rovanperä offered a lighthearted response:
“Nothing, basically. I was partying in Las Vegas for a while and then flew straight here,” smiled the Finnish driver, who attended the Formula 1 Grand Prix in the United States last weekend.
“So no preparation. On Friday, we have the recce, so we’ll make good notes, and then we’ll be prepared,” he added.
This year, Rovanperä competed in only half of the WRC season’s events, giving him more time for other activities. This weekend’s rally is purely for fun.
The lighter schedule has allowed Rovanperä to recharge for his return to full-time competition with Toyota next season.
“I would say it has definitely been a good year. I have really enjoyed myself. Driving circuit races and trying new things has definitely been helpful. Any car you drive is beneficial – you get comfortable on tarmac, and that helps for sure in tarmac rallies,” Rovanperä said.
“I’ve had more time to myself. I’ve done things I’ve wanted to do for many years but didn’t have the time for. This year, I had time for that, so it has been very good.”
The Killarney Historic Rally features eight stages on Saturday. Approximately 230 crews registered for the event, but only 165 were ultimately accepted into the competition.
