Fast Finland rally presents opportunity for Irish crews

The Irish crew of Josh McErlean/ Eoin Treacy (M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1) will be aiming to improve on last year's seventh place in Rally Finland. Picture: Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool.

This weekend's Rally Finland, the fastest event on the World Rally Championship calendar, will reward bravery, confidence and total commitment over its flowing gravel roads that are noted for huge jumps and tight bends. It's a quick two-week turnaround for all concerned as the Rally1 era winds its way to an end with just four more rounds after this high speed journey through the Finnish forests.

For the Irish World Rally crews of Josh McErlean/Eoin Treacy and Jon Armstrong/Shane Byrne it's another opportunity to improve on their respective season's best sixth and eighth place finishes. While there's been positives and disappointments along the way, rallying is still very much a results game. Their collective aim must be to break the Toyota/Hyundai monopoly.