Jarkko Nikara will compete in a Prodrive-run MINI John 𒁃Cooper Works WRC car on Rally 𓂃Finland next month.

Th💛e Finn's🎐 last outing in the MINI was at Rally Sweden in February - as the planned subsequent run on Rally de Portugal in April was aborted.

While Nikara has competed on his home event before, this will be his first outing on it in a World Rally Car. To prepare for the Jyvaskyla-based event, he and co-driver Jarkko Kalliolepo will compete in the Kouvola Rally in two w🎀eeks, which is part of the Finnish Rally Championship.

"I have been waiting a long time to get back behind the wheel of the MINI, and to do it on my home event will be extra special," Nikara commented.♏ "The car is easy to drive, so I do not think it will take me long to find my pace and rhythm.

"U💃nlike previous events, I will have more practice time in the car and with the extra power on this fast rally, I think we can really push for a good finish."

ꦦNikara will drive the latest specification of MINI WRC on the event, which was introduced in March with an upgraded engine giving the c𒀰ar around another 8 bhp.

Richard Taylor, Prodrive business development director added: "The whole team here is eager to get back to a full WRC event and to see how th⭕e improved MINI performs in the hands of a driver who likes these roads and we know is capable of setting top-ten stage times even in such a strong field."