Jarkko Nikara back in Mini WRC for Sweden

Jarkko Nikara will return to the World Rally Championship on next month's Rally Sweden

The Finn, who finished fifth on his debut in a World Rally Car in Spain, will aim to improve on that result when he returns to a Prodrive-built Mini John Cooper Works WRC in Karlstad.

The entry for the second round of the world championship is already looking strong with 20 World Rally Cars expected to make the start of the event, which runs on roads through Sweden and Norway.

Michal Kosciuszko will remain in his Mini for the second round, following his maiden World Rally Car outing on next week's Monte Carlo Rally.

Hopes of a first home win in 16 years appear to rest with Pontus Tidemand, who will drive a Fiesta RS WRC. Proton star P-G Andersson is also on the entry list.

Tidemand, who will be co-driven by Andreas Mikkelsen's former navigator Ola Floene, said: "It feels completely crazy. We're starting to approach my big goal, a WRC start in Rally Sweden. It's been long days lately to make it all come together.

"It will be really tough to make it into top 10, but our goal is to score points and set a few good stage times. I can neither expect or ask more than that from myself."

Rally Sweden runs from February 7-10.

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