Finnish World Rally Championship legend, Mikko Hirvonen, will contest next year’s International Classic Otago Rally in a huge coup for the New Zealand event.

The winner of 15 World Rally Championship (WRC) events, Hirvonen retired from the top level of rallying at the end of the 2014 season, but will drive a Ford Escort RS1800 for the Rossendale Wines team in the Dunedin based event.

Hirovnen’s entry into the event will be subject to COVID-19 restrictions allowing for his entry into New Zealand at the time.

The 40-year old is looking forward tackling the famous South Island rally for the first time.

“I have been aware of the Otago Classic Rally for a number of years, and it has always been an event that I wanted to do one day,” Hirvonen said.

“I have competed in Rally New Zealand many times, but have never competed on the South Island roads.

“The attraction of competing on these roads in a legendary BDA Escort is irresistible.

“For sure, I will be aiming to win, but I am looking forward to also visiting this beautiful area and mixing with the local competitors,” he added.

Hirvonen drove for the Ford, Citroen, Subaru and Skoda teams during his 13 years in the WRC, and now owns his own Ford Escort RS1800 that he competes in regularly.

Otago Rally spokesman, Roger Oakely, said that the event was thrilled to be welcoming another world-class rally driver to the event.

“We are excited to receive Mikko’s entry, as he has a fabulous record in the World Championship and our fans our in for a treat of world class driving on world class roads,” Oakely said.

“New Zealand competitors will have a real benchmark to compare themselves to.

“Mikko is known for being very approachable and likeable, and we are delighted to welcome him to the Otago Rally.

Oakley added that the event will be monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely over the coming months.

“We recognise that the extraordinary situation with COVID-19 means that plans may need to change at a later stage. Mikko and the Otago Rally will take a suitably precautionary approach if the COVID risk is uncertain”.

The Otago Rally has a history of attracting WRC stars to the event, including Bjorn Waldegard, Hannu Mikkola, Juha Kankkunen, Ari Vatanen, Miki Biasion, Didier Auriol, Michele Mouton and father and son, Jimmy and Alister McRae.

The 2019 Otago Classic Rally was won by Norwegian WRC star, Mads Ostberg, driving the same Escort that Hirvonen will drive next year. Ostberg contested the rally twice, as has Estonian Markko Martin in recent years.

The 2021 Otago Rally will be held from April 16 to 18 next year.

The Rally is grateful for the support of Dunedin City Council Premier Event funding.

Mikko Hirvonen – Career Highlights

Nationality: Finnish
Born: July 31, 1980
WRC teams: Citroen, Ford, Subaru, Skoda, M-Sport Ford
WRC rallies: 163
WRC wins: 15
WRC podiums: 69
WRC stage wins: 260
First rally: 2002 Rally Finland
First win: 2006 Rally Australia
Last win: 2012 Rally d’Italia Sardegna
Last rally: 2014 Wales Rally GB