Exactly 40 years after lighting up the series and winning the title, the Vatanen name will return to the British Rally Championship: a series that has produced no fewer than five world rally champions.
Max Vatanen, son of 1981 World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen.Max Vatanen has concluded an agreement to drive a DMACK Ford Fiesta R5 on the 2016 British Rally Championship, precisely 40 years since his famous father Ari first contested – and won – the British Rally Championship in a Ford Escort. Ari returned for another victorious campaign in Britain in 1980, one year before he won the world title in 1981.
Ari was not the only driver to achieve back-to-back success in the British and world championships, underlining the traditional quality of the field on the British series: Stig Blomqvist also won the British championship in 1983, before becoming world champion in 1984.
Max though is aiming to come to the new-look British Rally Championship next year with a title under his belt already. He is currently third in the Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy, which uses the latest R2 version of the Ford Fiesta, and his goal is to clinch the title.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have concluded this agreement to compete in the British Rally Championship with DMACK next year,” said the 24-year-old Finn. “Not only am I looking forward to a fantastic car and an awesome championship with some legendary events, but it’s also going to be a very significant campaign for me personally. I’m obviously lucky enough to have a very important family history on the British Rally Championship, so I will be doing my absolute best to ensure that the Vatanen name continues to make the series proud. I know that comes with a certain pressure, but that is part of the job.”
Max will face some considerable challenges when he graduates to the British Championship next year, thanks to a more powerful four-wheel drive car, which has close to the performance of a World Rally Car, and some challenging events that are completely new to him.
The British Rally Championship is traditionally quite specialised, with some unique surfaces and conditions influenced by the inimitable British weather, as well as plenty of fast local experts who have built up unparalleled knowledge of the stages. This is why the British Rally Championship has historically attracted some of the biggest names in the sport – with Ari the first of them who went on to become world champion.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to test the R5 Fiesta briefly on a few occasions, but of course this will be a big step up for me and one that I will certainly make the most of,” said Max. “The rallies are all new to me as well; many of them are real classics. They say that if you can drive quickly in Britain, you can drive quickly anywhere, so I cannot wait to find this out for myself. Many thanks to DMACK and all the people who have believed in me so far.”
Max has the best possible mentor in his father, who has some great memories of the British Rally Championship, having also been a long-time resident in England. The 1981 World Rally Champion still looks back at his time contesting the series with plenty of fondness.
“I can honestly say that some of the best memories of my career come from Great Britain,” commented Ari. “The whole sport has changed beyond recognition since my day, but I’m sure that the character of the stages is not much different. The British Rally Championship is one of the best championships in the world: I know it’s going to be tough but at the same time an incredible year for Max.”
In the meantime though, Max has his first outing on asphalt with the Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy to think about. Rallye Deutschland, the penultimate round of the series, takes place on asphalt from August 20-23.
The 2016 British Rally Championship calendar:
March 5-6, 2016: Mid Wales Stages (gravel)
April 8-9, 2016: Circuit of Ireland (asphalt)
April 29-30, 2016: Pirelli Rally (gravel)
May 27-28, 2016: Jim Clark Rally (asphalt)
June 24-25, 2016: RSAC Scottish Rally (gravel)
August 19-20, 2016: Ulster Rally (asphalt)
September 9-10, 2016 Granite City Rally (gravel)
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