In an exciting twist for rally enthusiasts, two-time world champion Kalle Rovanperä will make his debut at the Killarney Historic Rally next month. The Finnish rally sensation will get behind the wheel of Jason Black’s awe-inspiring 2.5-liter Toyota Starlet, known for its monstrous 380bhp. The event, just a week after the 2023 World Rally Championship wraps up in Japan, marks Rovanperä’s first competitive rally outing in Ireland.
Rovanperä, no stranger to Irish motorsport after participating in the 2022 Driftmaster event at Mondello Park, is eager to take on the challenge of Irish rallying. Speaking about the upcoming rally, he expressed his excitement:
“I know rallying is big in Ireland. It sounds like a really cool rally with lots of fans and some nice roads,” Rovanperä said. “Craig [Breen] was always telling us we should do the rally in Ireland. So now we’re going to do that.”
With his entry into the Killarney Historic Rally, Rovanperä will be tackling iconic stages, including the famous Moll’s Gap. The stage, known for its breathtaking views and passionate fans, promises to be a highlight of the rally.
The Toyota Starlet Rovanperä will drive, a beast of a car with around 380bhp, is expected to deliver the thrills that fans crave. Rovanperä expressed his gratitude to Jason Black for allowing him to use the car and admitted he’s excited to experience the power and speed of the machine:
“I saw some videos, it looks really nice and quick as well – something like 380bhp. I think that’s enough!”
The rally will also serve as a special moment for Killarney’s own Paul Nagle, a former world rally-winning co-driver, who emphasized the significance of having Rovanperä at the event:
“It’s huge,” Nagle said. “Killarney is always one of the biggest days on the Irish rallying calendar, and it just got bigger. To see Kalle Rovanperä going up Moll’s Gap in Jason’s Starlet will be one of the sights of the season.”
In addition to his participation in the Killarney Historic Rally, Rovanperä has also been confirmed as a contender in the upcoming Fiorio Cup, a rallysprint event organized by the Fiorio family. Set in Italy, the competition pits Europe’s top drivers against Italy’s best in a thrilling head-to-head format. With four-time Italian champion Andrea Crugnola reigning supreme in every edition of the Fiorio Cup so far, Rovanperä’s entry adds an exciting dynamic to the event.
Cesare Fiorio, former Lancia rally boss, expressed his excitement about Rovanperä’s involvement: “I am very curious to get to know this young champion and how our national drivers will perform in a battle where they are certainly not the favorites!”
With two massive rally events on his schedule, Kalle Rovanperä is set to delight fans in both Ireland and Italy as he takes on these thrilling challenges.
