Flying Finns

The Kielder Forest in April will be the backdrop for the return of the Mikkola name to British rallying. Autosport Technology can now confirm that Vesa, 24 year old son of ex World Champion Hannu is to compete on the 2007 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship in a Group N Honda Civic Type R.

Vesa and co driver Tapio Suominen - who is a junior rally driver in his own right in Finland - have competed once before in an Autosport Technology car. On that occasion - their only previous outing in the UK - they secured Class N3 victory and 9th overall on the 2005 Trackrod Rally.

Richard Asquith said "we're delighted to be working with Vesa and to continue our successful association with young Finnish driving talent. Having previously worked with Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala we're really looking forward to working with Vesa and Tapio again. Vesa has been rallying for five years and is now looking to widen his experience in the UK".

BRC Manager Mark Taylor commented "This is great news that Vesa and Tapio have decided to join the BRC. They obviously recognise all that the championship has to offer including the fantastic opportunity of winning the Pirelli Star Driver scheme".

Autosport Technology are also pleased to be continuing their association with Gilbran (motor trade property consultants), King Sturge, Speedline and PIAA.

The team are planning a shakedown test in order to give Vesa and Tapio a chance to re-acclimatise theirselves with British gravel. Vesa's most recent experience has been on the snowy roads of Finland and, of course, he has heard many stories about 'killer kielder'!

So, some twenty five years after his father won in these Border Forests, Vesa will be striving to bring his own brand of 'Mikkola Magic' to the Pirelli International Rally, driving the famous stages on which Hannu so thrilled his army of rally fans.

26 Mar 2007

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