Kankkunen keen to get among the points

Veteran four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen is aiming for a points-scoring finish in Australia this weekend.

Hyundai have drafted in the legendary Finn – world champion in 1986, 1987, 1991 and 1993 – as they attempt to cement an impressive fourth place in the manufacturers’ standings.

The Milton Keynes-based team are currently level on points with World Rally Championship giants Mitsubishi and just a point clear of Skoda heading into the penultimate round of the season in Australia.

After leaving him at home for the German and Italian rounds, Hyundai have turned to Kankkunen to boost their hopes – and he delivered in fine style by claiming fifth in New Zealand last time out.

Now he hopes to net his second points-scoring finish of the season and starts his quest when the rally gets underway with a two-kilometre special stage today.

He said: “I love going to Australia, I like the country and the rally itself. I’ve won it a few times before so I know we can have a good run there.

“The car felt fantastic in New Zealand and the improvements that have been made are a good step in the right direction.

“Coupled with good reliability, we demonstrated it can take the pace for the duration and I am confident we should have at least one car in the points, if not two.”

Team-mate Armin Schwarz is also confident of netting more valuable points for Hyundai.

He said: “I have taken some points for Hyundai throughout the season so far and I am confident we can pick up the pace again, especially as the Accent WRC is proving it is more and more reliable, to get some more points for Hyundai before the end of the season.”