Finnish rally champion elect Esapekka Lappi, one of the most exciting young drivers currently competing, is set to step up to the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in 2013.
The 21-year-old, who is managed by EVEN Rally, the same organisation behind IRC champion and current title leader Andreas Mikkelsen, has secured a long-term agreement that will enable him to progress his career on the international stage.
“I will do an international programme and I hope to move with an S2000 car to the IRC because this is the most sensible for me,” said Lappi. "I have a long deal now for the future so I am very happy and the IRC is good because I don’t have experience on Tarmac.”