Ketomaa out to impress on gravel rounds

Jari Ketomaa has two events to truly make his mark on this season’s FIA World Rally Championship starting with Brother Rally New Zealand from 21-24 June.

The Finn had been tipped as a frontrunner on Vodafone Rally de Portugal in late March but languished in ninth overall following a troubled outing. He hasn’t competed in the WRC since.

But having won the Super 2000 World Rally Championship category in New Zealand two years ago, Ketomaa, who will also contest his home round of the WRC in early August, has the perfect opportunity to add to his current points total on the upcoming gravel events.

“Originally our plan was to drive in Greece but we decided to do Rally New Zealand instead,” said Ketomaa, who will drive an Autotek Motorsport Ford Fiesta RS WRC with support from tyre firm DMACK. “The roads there are fabulous and we won the S2000 round in 2010. After the test in Greece I’ve now got more confidence in the car and a really good feeling with the new DMG+2 gravel tyre.

“Finland will also be a great event. It is my home rally and it’s always a special feeling to drive in front of my fans in Finland. I’m not going to put myself under any pressure but will drive as fast as I can and hopefully that will mean a good result.”

DMACK’s Dick Cormack added: “Our new tyre will be strong in both New Zealand and Finland. The soft compound is well proven, after the fourth place in Argentina, and the new tread pattern should work well on those rounds. Both events should allow Jari to show both his pace and the potential of our new tyre.”