Juha gets makes' nod ahead of McRae

Kankkunen, who had his first taste of the Accent WRC in a test last week, has won the event three times, and his team says it is that kind of experience which makes the former Subaru star likely to do well in Finland in three week's time.

"The decision reflects that only one non-Scandinavian has won this specialised event in the last ten years," said a team spokesperson.

The decision is not thought to be a reflection on McRae's ability. The Scot has outscored his Swedish team mate Kenneth Eriksson this season, but the unique character of the Rally of Finland - it has been made famous by its series of 'yumps' (stomach-churning jumps) on its superfast stages - has meant that only Scandinavians have won the rally since 1992.

The move is similar to Peugeot's decision earlier this month, where Harri Rovanpera was nominated to score manufacturer points ahead of Didier Auriol on the Safari Rally. The French team claimed Rovanpera was a better mechanic than Auriol, which is a vital skill on one of the WRC's toughest events.

In that case it proved to be a wise decision, with Rovanpera coming home second and Auriol retiring.