Tactics to make a return?

Road positioning tactics could make an unwelcome return to the WRC on the Rally of Spain, the WRC's only fully mixed surface rally which takes place in two weeks time.

More commonly known as simply employing 'tactics', drivers slow on the final stage before the overnight halt of each day on a gravel rally so as to have a more favourable starting position on the road the next day. In dry conditions, the further down the order you are the better road conditions you face, with the top couple of cars clearing the loose top layer of gravel from the racing line.

This is known to be disliked by spectators and teams alike, the use of tactics was 'introduced' in 2008 and reached a climax towards the end of the 2 litre WRC car era, when drivers were taking massive time penalties to drop themselves down the order. There was even infighting in some teams over positioning tactics.

However this all changed in 2011 when Shakedown was used as a Qualifying Stage, the fastest driver choosing the best position then the rest of the drivers taking part in Qualifying choosing the remaining positions.

But, with the gravel leg of the Spanish round of the WRC running on the final day, teams are worried they could be forced to re-employ tactics. Organisers of the rally have asked the FIA to reverse the running order for the last day of the rally, but their request was denied. Even the teams themselves have written to FIA Rally Committee director Jarmo Mahonen asking him, and the FIA, to reconsider their choice.

"I really can't get my head around this one. I thought we were moving forward and not having the crazy situation which will happen. We told the FIA in Australia that we 100 per cent didn't agree with this and nothing has happened. We don't want to what we had a few years ago." said Qatar M-Sport team boss, Malcolm Wilson.

Greece to lose WRC round?

The Acropolis Rally is expected to be dropped from the 2014 WRC Calendar in favour of the returning Rally Poland.

The Acropolis Rally has formed part of the WRC trail since it's beginning, way back in 1979. The only year it wasn't run was in 2010, partly due to the WRC's round rotation system but also due to the economic crisis that gripped the country, and continues to do so.

A hugely popular rally, the rough gravel roads can smash even the toughest cars to pieces. It takes it toll on drivers too, with soaring temperatures and extremely long stages, dehydration can set in. A good, strong, reliable car is always needed on the Acropolis.

The cars really do take a battering in Greece, but the
challenge makes it a driver favourite

Despite all these challenges it remains a firm driver favourite, as well as a true test of the teams. Manufacturers can use the event to showcase the toughness of their cars, which makes it a favourite with the teams as well.

Jost Capito, Team principal of the VW Motorsport team, makes a valid point in saying that the people of Greece can't continue to have things taken from them. The Acropolis Rally is a big benefit to the economy of the country, so it's removal from the Championship might cause far reaching issues.

He said: "I don't think it's nice to have Greece out. The Acropolis is an iconic event. It was always a good, challenging rally that the drivers were all looking forward to all season. "And when you see the situation in Greece, everybody takes everything from Greece; on a human level, I don't know how the country will survive if these people keep having everything taken from them.”

"They are very proud people and if you take everything - including their pride - away from them then I don't know how they can catch up." he added.

However he isn't against the running of the Polish event, marking it out as a “great event” when it was run back in 2009. Mikko Hirvonen, then driving for the M-Sport Ford team, won the rally that year, a win that helped bring the title fight right down to the last round.

Interview: Donagh Kelly and Kevin Flanagan

Fresh from winning the Clare Stages on Sunday, Donagh and Kevin both took the time to speak to GRN. 

Name: Donagh Kelly                           Name: Kevin Flanagan

Hometown: Frosses, Co. Donegal        Hometown: Derry

Job: CEO KN Group                           Job: Self Employed

Road Car: BMW M5                            Road Car: Ford Mondeo ST

Rally Car: Ford Focus

Sponsors: Airtricity, Donnelly Group, Pirelli

and GMG Asset Management

Donagh and Kevin in action
in Donegal

Global Rally News: Firstly, congratulations on winning the Clare Stages, this isn't your first overall win but how did it feel when you crossed the finish line of the last stage, your first win in the new Focus?

Donagh Kelly: Really nice to get the first win in the Focus.

Kevin Flanagan: It was great to get the 1st win in the new car. We had a great days crack and it was a good test for the Cork 20.

GRN: What was it like to win your first rally overall?

DK: 2005 Turkey Run, GPA Evo 6, great feeling as it was a winning margin of .7 of a second over Sean Devine in a WRC Subaru.

KF: I guess everyone will remember there 1st overall win. For me it was in a Gpn Evo 9 on the Dogleap Rally in 2010. We beat Kenny Mc Kinstry by 1 second! A close one but as Kenny pointed out that day, it only takes a second. It was extra special for me as that event is organised by my home club and it was actually the 1st event I did with Donagh back in 2006.

GRN: What was your first rally car?

DK: 1300 GPN Vauxhall Nova.

KF: I did my first rally in a Gp N Honda Civic back in 2001.

GRN: What was your first event?

DK: Ingiliston Stages, Edinburgh 1995.

KF: 1st rally was Kirkistown Stages Rally.

GRN: What is your favourite rally car?

DK: My current car.

KF: My favourite car at the minute is a Fiesta WRC.

GRN: Who was your childhood hero in motorsport?

DK: Vincent Bonner.

KF: I think anyone a similar age to me who is into rallying will think on Colin Mc Rae when you ask this question. He was a real star at that time but I also remember standing watching the Irish greats like Fisher, McHale, Nesbitt etc back in the late 90's and thinking it was just unreal.

GRN: What are your favourite rallies?

DK: Donegal and Dogleap Rally.

KF: Killarney Rally of the Lakes is my new favourite event.

GRN: What was your best drive, to date?

DK: Killarney 2013

KF: Killarney this year was one of our best drives to date. We had never been to the event before and still managed to have a great race with the guys and finish up 3rd, by less than a second from memory. Great rally!

GRN: What was your most embarrassing moment on a rally?

DK: Getting lost on a road section in the Northwest of England!!

KF: Getting excluded from the 1st event I ever did by missing a time control!

GRN: What was your biggest accident?

DK: Harvest Rally 2000 – out of work for 4 months due to injuries.

KF: Biggest accident was on the Circuit of Ireland in 2004 in an Evo 6. 6 or 7 rolls into a field ! A mess!

GRN: Who would you rate as the top 3 British/Irish drivers today?

DK: Keith Cronin, Kris Meeke and Alastair Fisher.

KF: Top 3 drivers in Ireland / UK I think, Cronin, Fisher, Breen.

GRN: And in the World Rally Championship?

DK: Ogier, Neuville and Meeke.

KF: Top 3 WRC, Ogier, Neuville, Meeke.

GRN: What would you like to change in rallying (rules/admin ect.)?

DK: Have all prize giving at the finish ramp! – nobody has the time to hang about on a Sunday evening!

KF: Ban race fuel to reduce costs.

GRN: If you were handed £1,000,000 and could only spend it on rallying, what would you do

with the money?

DK: Buy a current WRC car and travel the world doing selected events for fun.

KF: If I had €1,000,000 to spend I would try and bring the WRC to Ireland again but in the summer and to good stages.

GRN: Having driven some of the best stages in Ireland, which one would you rate as your

favourite?

DK: Molls Gap.

KF: Atlantic Drive in Donegal, I always watched there as a kid, its always a good stage for us too.

GRN: What are your plans for the rest of the 2013 season?

DK: Cork 20.

KF: I'm doing the Bushwacker and Glens of Antrim Forest Rallies in a Subaru S12B and the Cork 20 with Donagh in the Focus.

GRN: And 2014?

DK: Tarmac Championship and selected events.

KF: 2014 I'd imagine we'll be back on the Tarmac Championship trail, Galway is back to 2 days next year I believe. Will do a few National events as well I'm sure.

GRN: And finally, what advice would you offer to an upcoming young driver?

DK: Think Safety at all times – never compromise and remember it’s a sport not a career!

GRN: In Kevin's case, what advice would you give to a young co-driver?

KF: I got into co-driving by joining my local motor club and helping out at events. I was lucky then to get a chance to sit on and it all went from there.

GRN: Thanks lads!

King Kelly of Clare!

Since acquiring his ex-Mikko Hirvonen Ford Focus RS WRC from John Joe Fleming just before the Donegal International Rally back in June, Donagh Kelly has struggled to get used to the Left Hand Drive Focus. A winner in Right Hand Drive Subaru's, many wondered when (and a small few even wondered if) Kelly would get the hang of the new car.

But today on the Clare Stages Rally, the Donagh of old reappeared. Blindingly fast from the start, he was never troubled once over the six tough stages. It sets him up perfectly for the Cork 20 Rally, the final round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in two weeks time.

Clare wasn't a round of the Irish National Rally Championship this year as part of the rotational system employed by the Championship. But it still attracted a massive entry, two stages repeated three times was the order of the day. A titanic scrap for the overall win was maybe lost with the withdrawals of Niall Maguire and Peadar Hurson before the rally, but this can't take away at all from the impressive performance of Donagh Kelly.

After SS1, Kenny McKinstry initially held second place behind Kelly, in his Subaru Impreza WRC S14. Having been involved in rallying for almost 40 years he's certainly showing no signs of slowing up! But it all went sour when a damaged radiator was the result of an overshoot on SS2, putting the Banbridge man out.

Stephen and Susanne Wright brought their ex-Garry Jennings Mitsubishi Lancer Evo home in an impressive second place, almost a minute down on Kelly. Stephen is having a very rewarding full-time switch to Tarmac this year, having almost solely competed on gravel in previous years, with some really spectacular performances in the new car!

Another man with a new car for this year is Kevin Barrett, switching from an S11 Subaru to an S14 model. Kevin is gradually getting to grips with the new car, finishing in third place overall in Clare. Just behind him was the 2WD winner, Edward O'Callaghan in his 2 litre 16v Mk2 Escort. Ed also scoops up the award for Class 13 winners and fourth place overall.

With Stephen Wright forefitting his award for being the fastest Group N car, Shane Maguire takes the Showroom class in his Subaru Impreza N11. Maguire, son of former National Champion Niall Maguire, took fifth place overall by a slender 4 secs over Ed Synan in sixth place, who also won Class 14.

Second in Class 14 was Mike Quinn, also seventh overall. Ninth place went to Jack Maguire, who swapped from a Class 13 Mk2 Escort to a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 during the summer. With Andy Hayes on the notes, the pairing once again won Class 20.

Sandwiched in between these two in eighth place was the mightily impressive Noel Kelleher. Piloting his Honda Civic, Noel hasn't been on the stages for two years but you'd certainly not think it from the times he was putting in! Seeded at Number 91, he certainly proved the surprise of the rally and in GRN's view, was certainly the drive of the rally. Michal Fitzgibbon rounded out the Top 10.

Perhaps the hard luck story of the rally was of Frank Kelly. With 'trainee navigator' (a sticker found on the back window of Frank's car) in the shape of Gary McElhinney in the hot seat for the weekend, the pairing sat third overall for a time. But, a reported fuel pump problem dropped Frank and Gary loads of time, then running repairs gained them massive time penalties, both of which transpired to send them to dead last. As deflating as it was, they still managed to have a “savage days craic”!

Ogier pledges maximum attack

Championship leader Sebastien Ogier has committed himself to pushing for wins on all three of the remaining 2013 WRC rounds.

Having already claimed six wins this season, Ogier has the title all but wrapped up, barring disaster (which, since this is rallying, is entirely possible). So, with three rounds remaining and the chance to beat his arch-rival Sebastian Loeb in their home country, and Loeb's back yard, Ogier will be going on a charge.

Ogier has the possibility of winning the title after SS1 in France. The first stage is nominated as the Power Stage, so Theirry Neuville (the only person mathematically in with a chance of beating Ogier) must win it, otherwise Ogier has the title wrapped up, regardless of who finishes where. Unless, that is, the Frenchman fails to finish.

“If this was to happen [winning the World Title in France], we wouldn’t stop there. Our fans shouldn’t worry, we’re not gonna sit there twiddling our thumbs for the rest of the season! We sure intend to go on winning, if only to help Volkswagen to get the Manufacturers title, which they’re also coming closer to thanks to the points scored in Australia.” he said.

Team Principal, Jost Capito, has granted Ogier permission to go on maximum attack to win in France, since Volkswagen have have such a massive Championship lead.

“To get the manufacturers’ lead by more than 40 points, this allows Seb to really fight in France. The whole team will support him unconditionally. If the gap was smaller, we might have had some tough words [with Ogier], but now he can really go for it. I’m sure he’s happy for this.” said Capito.

In something that might worry his rivals a bit, Ogier says he is now more relaxed now he is on the cusp of a maiden World Title success. Each rally will mean a renewed push for the win, so everyone who thought they might have a chance of beating the Frenchman might just have to think again, or really up their game.

“As for myself, I’ll be a bit more relaxed now that I won’t feel our championship pressure, and I’ll look at each rally as a new chance of victory. The Rallye de France is the perfect occasion to maintain our momentum,” he added.  

Is Meeke still in with a chance?

Kris Meeke's dreams of a full time drive in the WRC might not have come crashing down to earth just yet.

Having replaced Dani Sordo on the event, he was expected by team boss Yves Matton to get a solid finish under his belt, to aid Citroen's fight with VW in the Manufacturer's Championship. Under huge pressure having never competed in Australia and being nominated points scorer for the Works team, he initially won the Qualifying Stage in spectacular fashion and held fourth place up until SS13, poised to hunt down Theirry Neuville on the final day of the event.

Meeke in action in Australia

However, it all ended with a slow roll down a hill into a field halfway through the thirteenth test. This left Meeke despondent, and team principal Matton absolutely fuming.

"At service this afternoon I told Kris to keep the pace, to stay not too far from Thierry [Neuville] and we would see tomorrow whether we try to catch him or not," said Matton. "For sure, I am not happy. He did not do what I asked him. This is just the opposite what I ask him.”

It appeared that Meeke has lost his long awaited chance to shine at World level, two crashes in two successive appearances for Citroen certainly didn't help his cause. But, it would seem that Meeke hasn't blown it completely.

Matton hasn't ruled Meeke out of a hugely popular appearance on Wales Rally GB in one of the team's DS3 WRC's. It was seemingly a pre-arranged agreement, finish Australia and start in Wales. But with the crash complicating matters, the Frenchman refuses to act on his first thoughts, which would most likely be to disregard the possibility of Meeke driving in Wales altogether.

"I told him clearly what I wanted him to do. I told him if he was at the finish here, he would be on the start in GB," said Matton. "Now, I don't know. I have to think about it. It's sure that if I take a decision too close to what happened, then the outcome will not be positive for him - and, of course, what happened when he went off again on the final day of the rally has not helped either.”

"I will not say he won't start in GB, I don't know." he added.

Meeke himself knows his chances are slim, but there is still a glimmer of hope for the 2009 IRC Champion. But he remains philosophical, stating he will respect whatever decision Matton and Citron come to. One massive advantage he has is his ability to jump into the car and be almost on the pace, which could just tip the balance in his favour in Wales.

"I'm massively grateful for the opportunity Yves, Khalid and everybody at Citroen has given me and if that's it, then, that's it. I realise I have made mistakes, but I feel I have also shown I have the speed to fight at the front and there aren't many who can do that now." he said.

"It's incredible to drive one of these cars at any time, but the chance to drive one at home with the home support would be unbelievable." he added.

Photo credit: Citroen WRT

Rally Finland photos

A small selection of photos from this year's Rally Finland, won by Sebastian Ogier/Julien Ingrassia in the VW Polo R WRC. Thanks to Stefan Lassus for the images!

Note: Images copyright to Stefan Lassus Photography and cannot be reused without express permission from the copyright holder.

M-Sport keen to hang onto Neuville

With interests in acquiring the services of Thierry Neuville coming from Hyundai and Citroen, M-Sport have said they are determined to keep the young Belgian in one of their cars for the 2014 season and beyond.

Neuville in Action in Finland, where he finished 2nd

Former IRC front-runner Neuville has been the revelation of this year's WRC season, which is only his second full year in a WRC car in the top flight. To date, after eight rounds, he lies joint second in the overall Driver's table with Jari-Matti Latvala, with four podiums, including two second places, to his credit.

The only downsides in his otherwise excellent year came when he crashed out of Day 1 of the Rallye Monte Carlo, and having to restart in Portugal thanks to damage sustained after hitting a rock.

Even with interest from WRC newcomers Hyundai and his former employer, Citroen, Neuville wants to remain at M-Sport.

"I didn't talk to anybody [else]. I am very happy with M-Sport and I have a lot to focus on for the rest of this season. The Fiesta is a beautiful car to drive, I'm really enjoying myself." he said.

The man responsible for the Qatar tie up, Nasser Al-Attiyah, says he is happy with both the team's main drivers and M-Sport's general performance, appearing keen to hang onto Neuville and Mads Ostberg and to stick with M-Sport for 2014.

"They are both very good drivers and we want to keep them. In Finland, they both did really well, with Thierry making an incredible drive to finish second.”

Al-Attiyah is planning ahead to 2014 as well, aiming to sit down with M-Sport's top brass in Germany to discuss next season and to have everything in place for the new season, insisting he very much wants to continue on the same path as team has done this year so far.

"We will try to fix everything in Germany, it's much better to get everything done early and have everything in place for 2014. We want to carry on in the same way that we have this year.” he added.

Photo credit: M-Sport

Meeke gets factory Citroen seat for Australia

Kris Meeke will get another chance in a Citroen DS3 WRC in a month's time when he takes over Dani Sordo's works car on the Coates hire Rally Australia.

Further drives in a DS3 WRC this year for Meeke were already being rumoured before Khalid Al-Qassimi dropped a rather large hint over Twitter, saying:

Meeke in Finland

“Chances may come & go, yet Kris deserves them - that's how he'll grow. @krismeeke to you and all your fans I'm thinking of another chance.”

Later, speaking to Gulf News, he said: “Kris did an excellent job and I wasn’t surprised. He was up there with Mikko and much quicker than Dani, and he’s given us a lot to think about. Our first priority is to get the best we can out of our drivers for the rest of the season, and we need to be on the podium. But already we’re looking ahead to next season, and Kris could get more chances.”

Al-Qassimi jumped to Meeke's defence on the subject of the Dungannon man rolling the DS3 WRC just two stages from home in Finland. “He’s a very good driver, that’s why we picked him. We considered several drivers, but decided Kris would be the best choice and he proved us right. It was just unfortunate that he didn’t get the finish he deserved. I really felt for him, especially as I rolled in the same car in the Acropolis Rally.” he said.

Kris Meeke

Now Meeke will get another chance, replacing a lackluster Sordo. The Spaniard has been enduring a less than fruitful return to Citroen, after two years away at MINI. He currently lies fifth in the Driver's Championship, only one point ahead of Sebastian Loeb, who has only competed on three events so far this year.

“Kris showed what he could do in Finland with an excellent performance and high motivation levels. So we instinctively turned to him to take over in Australia.” said Managing Director of Citroen Racing, Yves Matton.

Meeke himself added: “For us, this is an incredible opportunity to take part in the rally as part of Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team alongside Mikko [Hirvonen] and Jarmo [Lehtinen], and we are determined to give of our best.”

Photo credit: Citroen WRT

Ogier lands first Finland win

Consolidating his lead in the 2013 World Rally Championship for Drivers, Sebastien Ogier claimed a “dream” victory on the high speed gravel roads of the Neste Oil Rally Finland.

Sebastien Ogier

Claiming twelve stage wins out of a possible twenty three, Ogier wrapped up a 36.6 sec win over the very impressive Theirry Neuville. Neuville himself with locked in a battle for second with team-mate Mads Ostberg, both of whom were unable to stay with Ogier.

Thierry Neuville

“I had a dream about winning here. [We gained] A lot of points for the championship and victory in Finland make it a perfect weekend. We pushed when we had to and backed off when necessary to save the tyres and the car,” said Ogier.

Neuville held the overnight advantage after Day 1, driving tactically over the rough and soggy stages. Ogier held second, 5.2 secs down on the flying Belgian, also driving carefully in the poor conditions. Third was occupied by Mads Ostberg, 8.9 secs down on the leader.

Mads Ostberg

Day 2 was all about Ogier and the VW Polo R WRC. Netting seven fastest stage times from the day's nine stages, he rocketed into a 38.1 sec lead over Neuville. Ostberg was breathing down the Belgian's neck, sitting less than a second behind in third.

All Ogier had to do over the final eight stages was to hang onto his lead, which he his admirably. Dropping only 1.5 secs throughout the day to the chasing pack, Ogier decided to have some fun over both runs of the legendary Ouninpohja stage, breaking the stage record on the second run. The battle between Neuville and Ostberg ended when Ostberg went off and dropped 20 secs avoiding a rather large rock.

Speaking of his second placed result on only his second trip to Finland in a WRC car, Neuville said: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. We did a great job. Yesterday we lost time with a puncture but otherwise it was a smooth, clean run. Before the rally I couldn’t have imagined this result was possible.”

Mads Ostberg has had a season fraught with problems, both mechanical and driver-errors. However he put those issues behind him and, for a time, fought for the rally lead. However a solid third place for the Norwegian could help him back up to consistent rally-leading pace. He might have won the rally, if not for shattering a wheel on Day 2 and the off-road excursion on the final day.

“It’s nice to be here fighting for the whole rally without any problems. We have been leading, we had a safe second and we ended up third. But it’s great to fight for the win again and rebuild my confidence because it was low after the first half of the season.” he said.

Leading Citroen driver Mikko Hirvonen endured a disastrous rally, finishing over 1 min 20 secs behind Ogier in fourth. Almost rolling on two separate occasions, he suffered a large time loss on Thursday evening when heavy rain left the roads in a very poor condition and, running last of the front runners on the road endured the worst of the conditions.

Hirvonen's team-mate Dani Sordo finished fifth, benefiting from Kris Meeke's exit on SS22. Evgney Novikov rounded out the top six in sixth, having completed a very eventful rally, suffering a crash on SS10, which threw the bonnet up over the windscreen.

Jari Ketomaa won WRC2 and finished seventh overall, ahead of PG Andersson who had a relatively quiet rally in eighth. Robert Kubica and Andreas Mikkelsen (who lost a wheel on Day 2 and was forced to restart) rounded out the Top 10.

Jari-Matti Latvala

Jari-Matti Latvala had an even more disastrous rally than compatriot Hirvonen. Initially confident of a good rally, Latvala smashed his suspension to pieces on the first day. Running repairs allowed him to continue for a bit but he eventually admitted defeat. He was later blasted by team director Jost Capito, who said it shouldn't happen happened. But, after reviewing the situation, he changed his tune to “It was not at all his [Latvala's] fault”, acknowledging a weakness in the Polo R WRC's rear supension.

Well worth a mention is the performance of Dungannon's Kris Meeke. Having not competed on a top level rally in 20 months and having not finished Rally Finland since 2005, Meeke faced an uphill struggle when asked to step in for Khalid Al-Qassimi in Finland. However, he silenced the doubters when he kept pace with Citroen star and local hero Mikko Hirvonen over the latter half of the rally, holding an impressive fifth place overall in his first rally in a DS3 WRC. A small mistake on SS22 sent him rolling out of the rally, but it just goes to show that given a decent car Kris Meeke is world class, and very few people can dispute that.

Kris Meeke

Keith Cronin

Keith Cronin also showed his world class pace by dominating the WRC3 category in Finland. Inheriting the lead after early leader Alastair Fisher crashed out (rolling spectacularly on SS8), Cronin was never troubled afterwards. With 1 min 14.5 secs in hand over Sebastian Chardonnet at the end, it's hard to believe this is only Keith's first visit to Finland!




Please note: Images copyright to their respective owners, in no particular order Willy Weyens, Citroen WRT and M-Sport.

Ingrassia passed fit for Finland

Current leader of the FIA Co-Drivers Championship Julien Ingrassia has been passed fit to contest next weekend's Rally Finland alongside regular driver and Driver's Championship leader Sebastien Ogier.

Ogier (R) and Ingrassia (L) winning Rally Portugal

Having broken his collarbone whilst out on his mountain bike in Corsica, it was initially feared he would have to miss Rally Finland, the WRC's fastest rally. Nicolas Klinger, Theirry Neuville's former co-driver, was drafted in to co-drive for Ogier on a recent VW test while Ingrassia recovered.

Although understandably keen to tackle Finland, he admitted he would give the event a miss if it transpired to be “dangerous or stupid” to compete, in order to be able to complete the season.

Even though the Frenchman's collarbone is being held together by a titanium plate and nine screws, he completed a medical examination two weeks ago at the Bad Nauheim Sports Injury Clinic in Germany and also completed a test on Saturday. With this in mind, Ingrassia's team of doctors have passed him fit to compete in Finland.

“I am so relieved that I have managed to get back to full health in time for the Rally Finland. My thanks go out to the doctors for the great job they have done on me and the whole Volkswagen team, who have always supported me and sent me their best wishes. Now, I cannot wait to get back out on the road with Sébastien.” he said.

Ingrassia's team boss Jost Capito was keen to see his Championship leading co-driver return to the #8 Polo R WRC, saying:

“The whole team is very happy that Julien is back to full health and can start racing again. Our main priority is always the well-being of our drivers – we never want to take any risks. In the worst case scenario, it would have been better that Julien sits out one race than risk being out for a long time. You can only start a World Championship rally if you are in good health. That's why in Nicolas Klinger we would have had an excellent replacement.”

Capito thanked Klinger for his “great levels of commitment” in testing with Ogier. It was expected Klinger would co-drive for Ogier in Finland until news of Ingrassia's recovery broke.

“I would like to thank Nicolas for the great levels of commitment he demonstrated in the most recent test runs and for his willingness to step in for Julien in Finland if needed.” he said.

Image credit: Willy Weyens

Strong entry for Rally Finland

Home hero Mikko Hirvonen leads the 101 car strong entry list for the ever popular Rally Finland, again sponsored by Neste Oil.

The 101 crews entered into the rally make it the most popular rally of 2013, sporting fourteen WRC cars. Citroen, M-Sport and Volkswagen are all present with their usual drivers, the only exception being Kris Meeke replacing Khalid Al-Qassimi, who will be absent due to other commitments.

Meeke's last WRC rally was in 2011 on Wales Rally GB, where he finished a career-best fourth overall. Since then, his competitive running has been minimal, mainly confined to testing, 00 duties on the Ypres Rally in the new Peugeot 208 R5 and a once-off appearance at the Lurgan Park Rally in 2012 (which he won, naturally). He will take over Al-Qassimi's entry as a once-off.

Sebastian Loeb hasn't nominated Finland as one of his four rallies this year, he has confirmed he isn't interested in adding any extra rallies to his already extremely busy schedule.

Local hero's Jarkko Nikara and Juho Hanninen both mark their competitive returns, Nikara in an uprated Prodrive-run MINI John Cooper Works WRC, and Hanninen in a Ford Fiesta RS WRC. Riku Tahko pilots the other MINI on the entry list, the most amount of MINI's seen on a WRC entry list since Michal Kosciuszko switched from a MINI to a Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

Yazzed Al-Rajhi heads the WRC2 entry, which also features Robert Kubica, Robert Barrable, Jari Ketomaa, Esapekka Lappi and Elfyn Evans, who is taking part in a Ford Fiesta R5. Barrable and Karl Kruuda will also pilot the new Fiesta R5.

WRC3 is dominated by the Citroen R3 drivers, headed by Sebastian Chardonnet. Alastair Fisher (who lead the WRC Academy round here in 2011), Christian Riedemann, Bryan Bouffier and Keith Cronin are also present. Cronin looking to overturn a 27 point deficit to series leader Chardonnet after having suffered horrible luck in the past couple of rounds.

Junior WRC leader Pontus Tidemand starts at number 102 in his Ford Fiesta R2, and he can expect to be put under pressure by second in the Championship Jose Antonio Suarez and by local drivers Niko-Pekka Nieminen and Andreas Amberg.

Kubica happy with rally progress

F1 ace turned rally start Robert Kubica is pleased with his performance in his first year of full-time rallying.

"I've been pleased with my pace, I've won stages and I've been able to fight at the top on all three rallies I have done [in the ERC]. To come to these events for the first time and drive at the same pace as the championship contenders gives me a positive to take away from this.” he said.

The Polish driver has lead all three rallies he has competed in in the ERC, but has only finished one (the Rally Azores, finishing in 6^th place after leading for six stages, winning five in a row). He crashed out of the Rally Islas Canarias and suffered fuel pump problems in Corsica.

He also competed in the WRC2 Category on the Rallye de Portugal, running as high as second amongst the established WRC2 runners. He finished in sixth place at the end, after tyre troubles forced him retire. However he rejoined to finish sixth.

Kubica is now focusing on his WRC2 campaign, with the Acropolis Rally up next. The rough , car-breaking gravel encounter will be like nothing he has ever experienced before, the rough gravel will take a careless driver out very quickly. But the Pole will be as well prepared as he can be, completing a test on rough gravel similar to what he'll experience in Greece before he leaves for the rally itself.

"I will have my test and then I will go to Greece on the Monday so there is not a lot of time," he added. I know it's a very specific event and you have to take care of the car. It will be an interesting experience because it's my first time on rough gravel and I know I cannot take big risks because I really want to finish." He added.

Interview: Frank Kelly

Frank Kelly, a man who needs no introduction. Forever spectacular, there isn't one corner he doesn't go all out into. And very sideways out of. Armed with his unique co-driver, Liam Brennan, he goes as fast sideways as he does forwards.

Find GRN's interview with Frank and Liam below.

Profile

Name: Frank Kelly

Hometown: Moy

Job: Alarm Engineer

Road Car: HSV R8

Rally Car: 2.5 Mk2

Co-Driver: Liam Brennan

Sponsors: Bathshack.com, Campbell Contracts, PH Shotblasting, DMS Ireland, 1^st Alert Alarms, Kuhmo, Elite Transmissions, Panta Fuels

Name: Liam Brennan

Hometown: Cork City

Job: Bodyshop Owner

Road Car: Mitsubishi Pajero

Sponsors: I sponsor myself

Global Rally News: When did you first start driving?

Frank Kelly: 7/8 years old. In a mini, round a field

Liam Brennan: 10 or 11 around my father's yard and garage

GRN: What was your first rally car?

FK: Mk2 Fiesta

LB: Vauxhall Nova night nav car

GRN: What was your first event?

FK: Enniskillen Clubman Stages (gravel)

LB: Fastnet Rally 2003

GRN: What is your favourite rally car?

FK: Mk2 (Stupid question!)

LB: Metro 6R4

GRN: Who was your childhood hero in motorsport?

FK: Ari Vatanen

LB: Bertie Fisher

GRN: What are your favourite rallies?

FK: Gravel – Cork Forestry, Bushwhacker, Fivemiletown

Tarmac – Carlow, Ravens Rock, West Cork

LB: Killarney Rally of the Lakes or Bushwhacker Rally

GRN: What was your best drive, to date?

FK: Carlow Mk2 Challenge 2012 or Ulster National 2012

LB: Winning the 2012 Carlow Mk2 Challenge, or maybe Cork Forestry 2011, setting fastest time on the final stage to gain 3rd O/A

GRN: What was your most embarrassing moment on a rally?

FK: Putting my friend's Evo upside down in Fivemiletown this year!

LB: Galloway Hills Rally 2005, giving Raymond Donnelly a wrong note and he wrote off the Mk2!

GRN: What was your biggest accident?

FK: Killing the Fiesta in Antrim 2001, it was a big one!

LB: Hard to pick one...Dogleap 2008 with Frank or maybe Ravens Rock 2005 with my good friend Greg McCarthy in the Nova

GRN: Who would you rate as the top 3 British/Irish drivers today?

FK: Keith Cronin, Daniel McKenna and Amy Cox

LB: Keith Cronin, Kris Meeke and Daniel McKenna...Oops, and Frank Kelly too!

GRN: And in the World Rally Championship?

FK: Sebastian Loeb, Jari-Matti Latvala and Gigi Galli

LB: Sebastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Theirry Neuville

GRN: What would you like to change in rallying (rules/admin ect.)?

FK: Ban recce. Save time and money, we are clubmen!

LB: Pretty happy with rallying at the moment. Unhappy about some of the proposed changes in Irish Rallying

GRN: Question for Frank, what was your spin out in the Evo for the Omagh Spring Rally like?

FK: The Evo was a revelation! The drifts you can carry in them is unreal!

GRN: If you were handed £1,000,000 and could only spend it on rallying, what would you do with the money?

FK: Buy an '08 Ford Focus WRC, a state of the art motorhome/mobile workshop and travel the world rallying. Could you make it £2,000,000?

LB: I would buy an '08 Ford Focus WRC for Frank, I think he would like that!

GRN: What are your plans for the 2013 season?

FK: Go as fast as I can for as long as I can, same as usual!

LB: I'm getting married in July 2013 so that had severely restricted my programme but I will be doing selected events with Frank, and the Southern Forestry Championship with James Coleman.

GRN: And finally, what advice would you offer to an upcoming young driver?

FK: Don't buy the fastest car, buy the most reliable one. Then do as many rallies as possible. The speed will come with experience and then you'll be ready for a faster car.

LB: Buy a common car that parts will be readily available and cheaply, because you will need them!

Ulster Rally 2012

All images copyright to GRN, no unauthorised use.