|
Rovanperä ready for challenges
At the end of the year 2003, Rovanperä had to face the fact that the place among the lead drivers of Peugeot that he had agreed on for the year 2004 wasn’t ever to become reality. As a team is allowed to enter only two drivers as eligible for constructors’ points, Peugeot informed that their two-man team would consist of Marcus Grönholm together with Freddy Loix.
Harri Rovanperä has taken the situation calmly and believes that some driving jobs will yet turn up during the year’s break he is having from world championship rallying.
- No doors have been closed, not in any direction. I’m sure new situations will come up during the season. I’m confident there will still be need for experience, Rovanperä comments.
The five teams entered into the series go into the opening event of the season with crews that make Citroën seem quite strong in the constructors’ world championship. The second seats of the teams are mainly occupied by drivers who have either paid for their place or have brought along a significant sponsor.
Rovanperä the most successful of the non-engaged drivers
Rovanperä’s experience of 80 world championship rallies and together with his 12 podium finishes provide him with the resources needed to battle for the top positions in any WRC event. Among the drivers willing to get drafted by a works team for 2004 and who are yet without a WRC team contract, Colin McRae is the only one who has a better record of achievements than Rovanperä. The Scotsman has however a deal with Nissan for at least one desert rally.
At the moment, Rovanperä is not interested in any other driving jobs as the ones in world championship events.
- I´m only interested in driving for a works team and taking part in world championship rallies. Hopefully we will compete in several events already this season. When it comes to next season, we do intend to negotiate of a full season again, Rovanperä assures.
|
