Jari Ketomaa says he has only one thing on his mind when he heads to Latvia next week for round two of the FIA European Rally Championship – to win Rally Liepāja-Ventspils.
Ketomaa is the top seed for the snow rally, which he will contest in a Ford Fiesta Regional Rally Car alongside fellow Finn Kaj Lindström.
“I’m only aiming to win the event, that is for sure,” said Ketomaa. “I have a great car from Autotek, I feel confident and now I just need to put my foot to the floor and do my best.”
Unlike several his rivals, Ketomaa has previous experience of competing in Latvia having tacked the country’s Rally Talsi in the past. The event, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, is organised by the same expert team behind Rally Liepāja-Ventspils, RA Motosport. However, the 33-year-old says that knowledge won’t be of much use when ERC action begins on 1 February.
“I know what is coming in that it will be cold like it is in Finland,” said Ketomaa. “The Rally Talsi, which I did two years ago, was on different roads in a different place and was in the spring time so there was no snow. But it was well organised on nice stages and I am expecting the same thing next week.”
Ketomaa is unsure of his precise programme for the remainder of 2013 but says he’s not under pressure to deliver a top result when Rally Liepāja-Ventspils draws to a close on 3 February.
“I wasn’t happy with some of my results last year but we have Latvia and Sweden [round two of the world championship] where two good results could help for the rest of the season. But there is not any pressure. Latvia is a good country and I know I will have a nice time there.”
Click here to view the full entry list for Rally Liepāja-Ventspils.