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Juha Kankkunen returns to rallying

In discussions to drive a Focus on next month’s Rally Finland

By Franck Drui

18 June 2010 - 23:15

Rally legend Juha Kankkunen has admitted that he is in discussions to drive a Ford Focus RS WRC on next month’s Neste Oil Rally Finland. He last competed in a modern World Rally Car on the 2002 Rally Great Britain, where he finished ninth in a Hyundai Accent WRC.

Kankkunen’s agreement - reckoned to be a one-off deal at the moment - is expected to be announced before the end of June. The 51-year-old made his World Rally Championship debut on his home round of the series in 1979. He went on to win the event three times, contesting it for the last time with Hyundai in 2002.

Kankkunen said: “The possibility is there and of course I want to say yes. It would be nice to go and drive one of the current World Rally Cars before they are finished at the end of the season. But it’s only when I try it that I’ll be able to see if the modern cars are as easy to drive as some people say they are.”

Kankkunen was linked to a WRC return on a limited programme last season. He admitted this remains something he would be interested in.

“Why not?” he said. “The cars are good. Let’s see what happens. If I did Finland, it would be tough to compete with the boys - they are in these cars all of the time. At least I would know the roads!”

Kankkunen was recently reunited with former co-driver Nicky Grist, when the pair won the Rallye de Portugal Revival together. The four-time world champion added that Grist would be a sensible option for a possible outing in Jyvaskyla from July 29-31.

Kankkunen’s car is expected to run with backing from Neste, the oil company that has been a long-term sponsor of the Neste Rally Finland. He will also aim to have at least one day of testing before tackling the specialised stages.

In recent years, it has become something of a tradition for Finnish rally legends to come out of retirement for a final drive on their home event. Markku Alen contested the 2001 Rally Finland in a Ford Focus WRC, finishing 16th, while Ari Vatanen drove a Peugeot 206 WRC to 11th on the 2003 Rally Finland.