Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm will enter AUK Jämsän Äijät Ralli with JanPro Racing in their native Finland next weekend.
Planned as part of Lappi and M-Sport Ford’s continuing programme to get back into the swing of top-level rallying following the COVID-19 crisis, the Finn will drive a Ford Fiesta WRC on the event.
“It’s been a long time away from the action, and now I’m really looking forward to getting back out there with JanPro Racing and their Ford Fiesta WRC. I’ve missed being behind the wheel, and this rally gives us the perfect opportunity to drive flat-out on some of the world’s best gravel stages. It’s the perfect warm-up ahead of the season restart, and our main target is to get up to speed before Rally Estonia.” Lappi said about the opportunity to enter a rally again.
The event will be held on August 8, taking place over three stages, with Lappi taking to the wheel of the first current generation WRC car that has been sold by M-Sport to a customer.
“It’s really nice to be back with the JanPro Racing colours, and a great honour for us to deliver our services along with our Ford Fiesta WRC to one of M-Sport’s official drivers. It’s fantastic to have Esapekka and Janne in our car, and we promise to do our best to help them achieve their goals.” Janne Tuohino, JanPro Racing Managing Director, said.
“It’s going to be great to see Esapekka back driving the Ford Fiesta WRC. I know I’ve missed seeing him flat-out behind the wheel, so I can only imagine what it’s been like for him! This mini rally will be the perfect warm-up before we start our preparations for Rally Estonia, and with JanPro Racing we know he’ll be in safe hands with a skilled and experienced team behind him.” Richard Millener, M-Sport Ford Team Principal, added.
The competition attracts also more famous names, such as Rakan AL-Rashed and Eerik Pietarinen among the now 100 drivers registered ahead of next weekend.
