Alen confirms Finland entry
Abarth factory driver Anton Alen has confirmed that he will take part in next week's Rally Finland at the wheel of his usual Abarth Grande Punto S2000
Alen's participation in his home round of the World Rally Championship had been cast into doubt following a shortfall in the budget, but the cash needed for him to make the start in Jyvaskyla on Thursday next week has been found.
The 26-year-old Finn has previously contested six WRC events in Group N, winning the category twice - on the Rally Finland and Rally Great Britain in 2006 - and finishing second once.
Alen will run alongside his friend and team-mate for the event, Ferrari Formula 1 star Kimi Raikkonen.
"Kimi's going to have a lot of fun on the event, but for me it's a very important rally," said Alen. "I haven't had the best of seasons yet and hopefully I can turn that around with the right result next week."
Alen's Abarth will arrive in Finland from Italy on Monday, when he is hoping to conduct a 150km test ahead of the recce for the ninth WRC round of the season which begins on Tuesday morning.
The son of rally legend Markku Alen, the Finn is currently contesting the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, and last appeared on a WRC event in Finland 2007.
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