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- 1.11.2001 -
British champion joins
Simon Evans for Rally Australia assault
British Rally Champion Marko Ipatti will join
Simon Evans and the Raceworx Team for a two-car assault on Rally Australia in Perth, held
November 2-4. It is the second time the Victorian-based outfit Raceworx has attracted a
high-calibre driver to join the team, the first was Canadian Patrick Richard at Rally
Melbourne this year.
The Finnish-born Ipatti is delighted to be coming to Australia but says he can't predict
how competitive he'll be against his Australian opposition until he gets out here. "I
have dreamed of coming to Australia. I have heard that it's a very good rally, with nice
but slippy roads and nice people," an excited Ipatti said. "I expect a good
result but you never know how the local Group N heroes will go. I hear they are very, very
fast and I think it's always hard to come to somebody's home area and win."
Evans, who is also the current Asia-Pacific F2 Champion, is delighted to have Ipatti join
the team for Perth and says having someone of his calibre on the team will give him a good
chance to gauge his own speed in the Subaru. He expects Ipatti to be quick and admits
he'll be driving to match times with the Group N specialist.
"Marko has a lot of experience and it's an honour and a pleasure to have him join us
for the event," Evans explained. "To have a guy like Marko in the sister car
will give us a pretty good indication of how we'd go against the international
competition. "He's pretty highly rated and even though he hasn't been out here before
he is a Finnish Ice champion and shouldn't have too much trouble on the slippery
roads."
Raceworx pulled the deal together quickly, asking the dynamic Ipatti to join the team for
Rally Australia in an identical specification Subaru Impreza (albeit left hand drive) to
that which Evans has run in the Australian Championship.The car, which was run and then
rebuild after Rally Melbourne, proved itself strong and fast and the ideal package to draw
a driver the calibre of Ipatti.
Attracting a driver with Ipatti's experience is a coup for Evans and for Team Manager Tom
Fyfe who is building the business to cater for both local and international drivers
interested in rallying in Australia.
"What we're doing with the business allows drivers like Richard and Ipatti to come
out here, hop into a competitive car and get a real taste for what Australian rallying's
like," Fyfe explained.
"We have the infrastructure and resources to build a strong, competitive
package."Fyfe and Evans agree that international interest in the ARC will continue to
grow and say that working with Ipatti will give the team a greater understanding of what
international competitors expect when rallying here. "We have a great product in the
Australian championship,"
"After rallying in Asia, you realise what the Australian championship has to offer.
It's unique, has great roads and there's a big opportunity to attract more interest in the
championship," Evans said
Ipatti and Evans will undoubtedly provide thrills for the fans with their dynamic driving
styles and personalities. Ipatti has attracted the nickname Bart, which he jokes is
because of a bad haircut (read Bart Simpson) that has now grown out.
Evans expects Ipatti, who has a keen sense of humour, to "fit right in" to the
team and can't wait to talk rallying to a man who as well known for his expertise in
testing as he is for results in the forest.
- 1.11.2001 -
Retirement in Rally Finland
Marko was aiming to top places in Neste Rally
Finland`s group N competition. Unfortunately rally ended in last day`s first stage. Marko
was second in his group and he attacked with big risk. This time car crashed at top speed
to the forrest. Marko and co-driver Harri Kiesi were OK, but race was over.
- 10.7.2001 -
Year 2001 BRC cancelled, Marko`s next rally in
Rally Finland
Following cancellation of the Trackrod Rally
Yorkshire, with only two rounds remaining, the Motor Sports Association has cancelled this
year's British Rally Championship.
The MSA stated that the championship would
continue if at least three of the original seven rounds could run. With five events now
lost to Foot & Mouth Disease, only the Kumho Tyres Scottish Rally (15/16 September)
and the Jim Clark Memorial Rally (7-9 December) are currently planning to go ahead.
Commenting on the loss of the 2001 championship,
MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton said: "By our own rules, once the number of
remaining events went below three, we had no alternative but to cancel the entire
championship. Our energy and attention will now be devoted to delivering a fresh and
vibrant Championship in 2002." This is the first time the British Rally Championship
has been cancelled since its' inception in 1958.
Next time Marko will drive in Finland`s World
Rally Championship round Rally Finland with group N Mitsubishi Lancer in co-operation with
Rally Rent Europe.
- 8.3.2001 -
Marko gets works seat in BRC
Scenary to Hyundai`s cabin.
Marko Ipatti will defend his British Rally
Championships title with competitive worksteam WRCar. He will be one of few finnish
rallydrivers to drive this year in worksteam. Marko will be only driver in MSD`s BRC
team with Hyundai WRCar. Kenneth Eriksson ja Alister McRae are competing with MSD`s
Hyundais in World Rally Championship series. Marko are going to test Hyundai in late May.
"Of course we are aiming to be champs again.
We got that last year, so why accept nothing less. Competition will be tough, I'm sure of
that", Marko thinks.
- 8.3.2001 -
Easy win in Kemi rally
Marko was superior in local Kemi-rally in
northern Finland. He won almoust a minute before second man. He make best stage time for
three stages of five. - This season has started badly, when we have to retire in
Arctic Lapland Rally. So we came here to get touch in driving. We also make some testing
with tyres, Marko told.
- 4.2.2001 -
Retirement in Arctic Lapland Rally
Marko was aiming to top places in Arctic Lapland
Rally`s group N competition. Unfortunately rally ended in first stage. - Preparations went
well. We get Evolution 4 Mitsubishi ready for action just in time. In first stage front
wheel hit to rock and front suspention broke down, Marko told.
News from season 2000
News from season 1999
News from season 1998 |
