Double World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanpera will contest the Killarney Towers Killarney Historic Rally
The Finnish ace will be trading in his usual Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 for a rear-wheel-drive Toyota Starlet, making his debut on Ireland’s iconic asphalt stages.
Rovanpera will be competing alongside his World Rally Championship co-driver Jonne Halttunen.
The duo’s participation was made possible thanks to the efforts of leading national rally driver Jason Black, who has generously offered his Toyota Starlet for Rovanpera’s special appearance.
“It’s an absolute thrill to have Kalle come to Ireland,” said Jason Black, owner of the Toyota Starlet. “The idea came to mind when he started his part-time WRC season, and it’s been a pleasure to make it happen.”
Ireland’s premier historic and modified rally event features eight stages, including a return to six classic Killarney roads, and one stage run both in daylight and under the cover of darkness.
Clerk of the course Anthony O’Connor said: “Having Kalle Rovanpera compete here shows the event’s popularity. His presence will add to the buzz, and we’re thrilled to return to the classic Killarney stages that have made this rally so renowned.”
The deal was brokered by local co-driver and former WRC star Paul Nagle.
“It will be special to see Kalle and Jonne compere on roads like Moll’s Gap,” said Nagle.
“An opportunity to have current WRC stars competing on the popular end-of-season event may not happen again for many years as next year the rally will clash with the new Saudia Arabian WRC event.
Rovanpera took the rallying world by storm, entering WRC2 days after his 17th birthday. Two years later he became the WRC2 champion before becoming the youngest ever World Rally Champion at 22 in 2022.
Rovanpera successfully defended his world title last year before switching to a part-time programme in 2024.
The Killarney Historic Rally takes place on Saturday 30 November, marking the start of the 2025 Historic Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The Killarney Towers Hotel Killarney Historic Rally will take place on some of County Kerry’s classic stages. Approximately 150 cars are expected to compete, with the entry limited to historic and modified machinery.
Past winners of the Killarney Historic Rally include rallying legends like Jimmy McRae, the late Craig Breen, and Jonny Greer. Rovanpera, however, will face a tough challenge from local expert Rob Duggan and other top rear-wheel-drive competitors.
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