Ford picks Tuohino

Ford has chosen Finland's Janne Tuohino as its second points-scoring driver for the Swedish Rally in February. He will join team leader Markko Märtin as one of the two nominated drivers for manufacturers' points.

Jan 6, 2004, 11:02 AM

28-year-old Tuohino, who will be co-driven by Jukka Aho, will drive a privately-entered Focus RS WRC03 on the event and will become the first non-works driver to compete in the car. Belgians François Duval and Stéphane Prévot, the regular second pairing, will be entered for the rally to enable them to maintain their quest for points in the drivers' series.

Tuohino has considerable experience of the Focus RS WRC on world championship rallies. He finished seventh in Sweden in 2002 and matched that result in Finland last season at the wheel of a privately-entered car.

"Janne is a consistently good performer in Sweden and his nomination as second driver for this event strengthens our line-up for one of the championship's most specialised rallies," explained team boss Malcolm Wilson.

"The snowy and icy conditions suit Scandinavian drivers who traditionally dominate the rally and Janne will not be out of place among the world's top drivers. François Duval understands this decision."