Abarth factory driver Anton Alen cannot wait to get back behind the wheel of the Grande Punto Abarth S2000 in Russia this weekend after a long wait since the Rally of Turkey. The 23 year-old up-and-coming Finn – whose father is rally legend Markku Alen – is contesting all the gravel rounds of the IRC this year.

Alen is hoping that the fast and flowing gravel roads of the Rally Russia should suit him, as they are similar in character to the stages found on the Rally Finland. On Alen's previous outing, in Turkey, he led for the majority of the rally before encountering problems on the final afternoon. "I think Russia should be very good for us, as I have a little bit more experience with the car now and a little bit more experience with these types of road. Turkey was a very difficult experience for me as there was so much to learn about the event and the car. When you step into a Super 2000 car from a Group N, you have to learn to drive all over again. A lot is very different; for example you have to use all the revs to find the power - whereas in a Group N car you have the torque from the turbo."

With the manufacturers' series so closely-balanced in the IRC – just one point separates Peugeot and Abarth – Alen will aim for victory on the Russian event.
"Of course I will try to win, but it is not going to be easy," he said. "Nobody knows exactly what these roads will be like or how the weather will be: we will just have to see how things are when we get there. But I'm really looking forward to it – I have been out of the car for a really long time and I miss driving it!" On the asphalt rounds, such as Ypres, the second factory Abarth is driven by Umberto Scandola.
 

The Rally Russia this weekend will be the first truly international motor sport event to be held in Russia since the St Petersburg Grand Prix in 1914. The ceremonial start will take place at Isaakievskaya Square in the centre of St Petersburg on Thursday 12 July at 1930. The start ceremony will be non competitive, as the Russian authorities have not allowed any racing to take place within the confines of the historic centre. However, there will be plenty of impressive photography against the dramatic backdrop of Isaakievsky Cathedral.

The real action starts on Friday 13 July at 0923, with the first of seven gravel special stages during leg one around Vyborg. The roads are fast and flowing, requiring real commitment from drivers and teams. Parc ferme at the end of the opening leg is at 1950. Day two takes place on Saturday 14 July, with the first of four special stages starting at 1104. The final podium is at 1430. In total, there are 11 stages comprising 151 competitive kilometres, and the complete rally distance is 549 kilometres. More than 50 teams, including Abarth with drivers Andrea Navarra and Anton Alen, have announced their intention to compete.