Ahlin helps youngster
achieve co-driving dream

During his pre-event test for Neste Oil Rally Finland, Ahlin invited 12-year-old Gabriel Seger from his native Sweden to accompany him during couple of high-speed runs on a test road in Saffle, Sweden, described as fast and technical.

Seger suffers from a terminal muscle disease and when Ahlin heard about his wish he had no hesitation in standing down regular navigator Morten Erik Abrahamsen for part of the test in a Ford Fiesta R2, similar to the one he uses in the WRC Academy.

“When I first heard about Gabriel and his rally dream, I didn’t hesitate for a second [to help],” said Ahlin. “When we were both properly seated with safety belts, I drove a few laps at a relaxed pace. I looked at Gabriel and saw his smile and I asked him if everything was okay, and if I may have gone too fast? Gabriel said that everything was okay and that I could drive faster - much faster! Then a smile spread across my face too and I pressed the pedal to the floor. I have to say a big thank-you to Gabbe as this was something very special for me also.”

Sadly for Ahlin his frustrating season in the WRC Academy continued when he crashed out on the opening day in Finland, his second non-score of 2012, which coincided with his 21st birthday.