World Rally Champion Kalle  Rovanperä made a special appearance at Kelliher’s Toyota Garage

World Rally Champion Kalle  Rovanperä made a special appearance at Kelliher’s Toyota Garage

Double FIA World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä made a special appearance at Kelliher’s Toyota Garage in Tralee on Wednesday, ahead of his participation in the Killarney Towers Hotel Killarney Historic Rally.

Earlier this week TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team confirmed its driver line-up for the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship.
 
Rovanperä will return to a full-time campaign with the team, following a partial 2024 season, when they secured four wins from seven starts for the Japanese manufacture.
Wednesday’s visit to the Tralee dealership was his first public appearance since Monday’s announcement by the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team.
 
During his part-time season, Rovanperä broadened his motorsport experience, competing in various events, including the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux.
 
Rovanperä took four wins from seven starts in this year’s World Rally Championship and contributed to Toyota’s fourth Manufacturer’s World title in a row.
 
For the Killarney Historic Rally, he will take the wheel of a Toyota Starlet loaned by leading Irish national rally driver Jason Black.
 
The deal was pulled together by former WRC co-driver, Killarney man, Paul Nagle and current WRC co-driver, Tyrone man Aaron Johnston who navigates for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team’s Takamoto Katsuta.
 
Kelliher’s Toyota, the long-standing Toyota dealership in Kerry is one of Rovanperä’s sponsors for the Killarney Historic Rally.
 
 The Tralee-based dealership offers a wide range of new Toyota vehicles, a diverse selection of used cars, and comprehensive aftersales services, including an award-winning body shop.
 
Managing Director Tim Kelliher said:
“We were thrilled to host Kalle ahead of the rally. Their presence here is a huge boost for the event and for rally fans in Kerry. It’s an honour to showcase our Toyota dealership to one the sport’s biggest stars.”
 Other guests attending Wednesday’s included Kelliher’s Toyota brand ambassadors Paralympian Jordan Lee and Kerry footballer Paudie Clifford.
 Rally fans will have another chance to meet the Finnish duo during a special meet-and-greet session in Killarney on Friday evening as part of the rally’s festivities.
The double World Rally Champions will attend an autograph signing session at Scruffy’s Nite  Club on College St (note change of venue) at 6.15 pm on Friday.
To meet the Finnish duo, fans will need to purchase an official RallyPak, which includes a poster of the Flying Finns
The meet and greet session takes place ahead of the ceremonial start at 7 pm where the top 20 Historic and Modified cars and the top local crews will attend the pre-event celebration outside the Plaza Hotel.

Double World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä at Kelliher’s Toyota on Wednesday evening. Photo: Martin Bowden

Dealer principal Tim Kelliher presents double World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä with a Kerry jersey. Photo: Martin Bowden

A large welcomed  double World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä crowd at Kelliher’s Toyota Garage on Wednesday. Photo: Martin Bowden

Members of the Kelliher family meet double World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä at their Tralee Toyota dealership on Wednesday night. Photo: Martin Bowden

Kalle Rovanperä’s Toyota Starlet rally car takes centre stage in Kelliher’s Toyota showroom on Wednesday. Photo: Martin Bowden

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