Sandell vows to do backers proud in Sweden

Patrik Sandell says he will do all he can to repay the faith shown in him by some of his country’s best drivers when he tackles Rally Sweden next month in a MINI John Cooper Works WRC run by the factory team.

The 29-year-old has been selected by the new Sweden World Rally Team to chase WRC glory and try to deliver the country its first world champion since Stig Blomqvist captured the laurels in 1984.

Several leading Swedish rallying personalities, including Blomqvist, 1979 world title winner Bjorn Waldegard and former factory driver Tomas Radstrom, are lending their support to the new initiative. Sandell, a former Junior world champion, has been handed a three-year deal as he attempts to make it to the top of the sport.

“This is a fantastic opportunity,” said Sandell. “Knowing that all my idols since I was just a kid are coming together like this to support me is incredible. I think this piece of the puzzle is what I need to take the final step into the WRC class.”

He continued: “I’m really excited about competing in Sweden in the highest class against Loeb, Solberg, Hirvonen and the others. I feel ready to take the step and I’ll certainly give them a match. I will not make anyone disappointed.”

Richard Taylor, whose Prodrive organisation will run Sandell’s MINI, said: “Since winning the JWRC title in 2006 Patrik has repeatedly shown himself to be a top level driver. It will be great to see him in a Prodrive MINI and even better that his first event with us will be in Sweden where we genuinely believe that Patrik has the chance of finishing close to the top of the leaderboard.”

Sandell has yet to confirm his precise programme for 2012 but has confirmed the experienced Staffan Parmander will co-drive.