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One To Watch: Ari rises to the occasion
Finland · Peugeot · 07/08/2003 10:28:59
This weekend wrc.com is monitoring the progress of a legend on the Neste Rally Finland. The 1981 world champ Ari Vatanen is back behind the wheel, contesting his 101st WRC event in a Bozian run Peugeot 206 World Rally car.
His 206 is sponsored by Pfizer, the manufacturers of Viagra, and already Ari has managed to raise. . . a smile.
"Viagra is a bit like wearing glasses," said the Finn. "As you get older, you somehow need it!
"Although people laugh at the sponsorship, it really works – everyone is talking about it. It’s certainly a talking point."
On to the matter in hand and Vatanen is clear about his objectives in Finland.
"My main aim is really to have fun," he said. "I want to finish, but once you have the helmet on there is only one way to think."
Vatanen is competing the rally in a mid-2001 spec 206 fitted with the latest customer engine.
"The last thing I did was the Paris-Dakar," he added. "But it had absolutely nothing in common with this. It been a while since I have driven on a proper rally, but I can cope!"
When asked where does he expect to finish, Ari, with tongue firmly in cheek, said: "Top three I would have thought!"
We'll keep you informed on Ari's progress throughout the rally in our One To Watch feature.
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