30 Jun 12

Latvala
set for
historic
rally
double

Jari-Matti Latvala will get a double dose of historic rallying action this summer. Not only will the factory Ford star contest auto24 Rally Estonia from 20-21 July in his Escort Mk2, he will also tackle the Lahti Historic Rally on 10 August in the same car.

Latvala, who will be co-driven by Asko Sairanen, is a huge rallying fan and enters historic events when his FIA World Rally Championship commitments allow. The rallies in Estonia and his native Finland are both rounds of the FIA European Historic Sporting Rally Championship.

He said: “Two European championship historic rounds both in a Mk2 Escort is really good. I hope to be able to fight for victories.”

It will be Latvala’s second rally in Estonia following his debut there in 2003. “The winter rally was my first international victory,” said the 27-year-old. “I have good memories from that, the organisation was brilliant and stages were great. This year I am free during Rally Estonia and as a fan of historic rally it gives me a chance to participate. I’m very excited to come to this famous rally.”

Latvala’s self-built Escort is equipped with a 2.0-litre Ford BDA engine producing 287bhp. His father Jari Latvala will also be in action in Estonia, albeit in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III.