International interest is highEntry for the Finnish round of the FIA World Rally Championship closed on 27 June. Before the deadline, a total of 102 entries were received for the event held in Jyväskylä on the first weekend of August.
The entry list includes as
many as 26 WRC cars, which is the largest number seen in any of the WRC rounds this season.
The organiser, AKK Sports Ltd, is happy about the Rally Finland 2007 entry: "We are very pleased to note that the 'Grand Prix on Gravel,' which is rich in tradition, still has pulling power both nationally and internationally. The 102 entries represent 28 different nationalities altogether and the number of WRC cars entered in the competition is the highest this season," says Clerk of the Course Risto Laine.
All the manufacturer teams entered in the World Rally Championship will be represented in Finland. This brings the brightest superstars of the rallying world, lead by Marcus Grönholm, Mikko Hirvonen and
Sebastien Loeb, to Jyväskylä. Stobart Ford have entered as many as four cars, one of which will be driven by Jari-Matti Latvala as per usual.
Both Ford, who leads the manufacturers' standings, and Subaru, who is presently third in the rankings, have entered three cars.
In addition to the drivers competing for the WRC points, the list of entries includes Mitsubishi drivers Juho Hänninen and Kristian Sohlberg, who this year drive in the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship (PWRC). Of the national Group N drives Jari Ketomaa and Teemu Arminen will be attacking the gravel roads of Central Finland.
Rally Finland is also a round of the Junior Rally Championship (JRC). There are 21 entries in JRC, including Finns Kalle Pinomkäki and 'wild card drivers' Tapio Suominen and Jarkko Nikara.
The Finnish round of the FIA World Rally Championship, Neste Oil Rally Finland, takes place in Jyväskylä 2 - 5 August 2007.
Source Rally Finland
