Rovanpera To Tackle Legendary Irish Stages

Double World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanpera will contest the years Killarney Towers Hotel Historic Stages Rally scheduled for Saturday 30 November.

The Finnish ace will be trading in his usual Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 for a rear-wheel-drive Toyota Starlet, making his debut on Ireland's iconic asphalt stages. Rovanpera will be competing alongside his World Rally Championship co-driver Jonne Halttunen.

The duo's participation has been made possible thanks to the efforts of leading national rally driver Jason Black, who has generously offered his BMV Rally Team Toyota Starlet for Rovanpera's special appearance.  "It's an absolute thrill to have Kalle and Jonne come to Ireland," said Jason, owner of the Toyota Starlet. "The idea came to mind when Kalle started his part-time WRC season this year and it's been a pleasure to make it happen."

Ireland's premier historic and modified rally event features eight stages in a four by two format on classic Killarney terrain. In keeping with recent tradition of the event the final stage will run both in daylight and under the cover of darkness to offer a sting in the tail to those competing.

Clerk of the course Anthony O'Connor said: "Having Kalle Rovanpera compete here shows the event's popularity. His presence will add to the buzz, and we're thrilled to return to the classic Killarney stages that have made this rally so renowned."

The deal was brokered by local co-driver and former WRC star Paul Nagle. “It will be very special to see Kalle and Jonne compete on Moll’s Gap” said Nagle.  “An opportunity to have current WRC stars competing on the popular end-of-season event may not happen again for many years as next year the rally will clash with the new Saudia Arabian WRC event”.

Rovanpera took the rallying world by storm, entering WRC2 days after his 17th birthday. Two years later he became WRC2 champion before becoming the youngest ever World Rally Champion at just 22 years old in 2022. Rovanpera successfully defended his world title last year before switching to a part-time programme in 2024.

The Killarney Towers Hotel Historic Stages Rally takes place on Saturday 30 November, marking the start of the 2025 Historic Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.  Approximately 150 cars are expected to compete, with the entry limited to Historic and Modified machinery.

Past winners of the Killarney Historic Rally include rallying legends like Dessie Nutt, Jimmy McRae, the late Craig Breen, and Jonny Greer. Rovanpera, however, will face a tough challenge in the modified category of the event from local drivers Rob Duggan, Conor Murphy and Colin O’Donoghue as well several of Ireland’s other top rear-wheel-drive competitors.

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