The two-time world rally champion will compete on Sunday in the Fiorio Cup in southern Italy, where Rovanperä’s Team Europe will go head-to-head with the Italian team.
Rovanperä arrived in the town of Ceglie Messapica on Friday, and it was revealed that he would have a surprising co-driver – none other than his mother, Tiina Rovanperä.
Tiina Rovanperä has not previously served as a co-driver, at least not in any official competition. She has, however, sat in the passenger seat alongside her son during rally tests, but purely as a passenger, not as a navigator.
Joining Team Europe in the Fiorio Cup are Finnish veteran Harri Toivonen and Turkish driver Burcu Cetinkaya.
The Italian team will be composed of Andreas Crugnola, Andrea Aghini, and Tamara Molinaro.
Sunday’s event will feature Rally2 cars from Skoda and Toyota. The fourth Fiorio Cup in history will start in the morning and conclude in the evening.
The competition is held in honour of legendary rally boss Cesare Fiorio and takes place on the Fiorio family estate.
