The 2026 international rallying calendar delivers another exciting storyline as Roope Korhonen steps up to a surprise opportunity for the season-ending Rally Six Cities North of Portugal, scheduled to take place from October 23–25. The talented driver arrives with tremendous momentum following his recent WRC2 class victory at Rally Sardinia and a hard-fought silver medal in the class championship. His previous outings in the ERC also yielded fond memories, highlighted by a dominant victory in Hungary and a strong second-place finish on the snow and ice of Sweden.
Refining his approach to different championships, Korhonen expressed great appreciation for the European series format and its operational rhythm. He noted that the schedule is not quite as tight compared to other rigorous calendars, while the stages are still run twice just as they are tested in the demanding environment of the World Rally Championship. This familiar operational structure provides a comfortable yet challenging baseline for competitors aiming to extract maximum performance from their machines.
Entering the season finale presents a fresh geography for Korhonen, yet he remains confident in transferring his previous knowledge from Rally Portugal to the upcoming stages. Apparently, some of the stages are familiar from the WRC event, though organizers have introduced several new sections to test the field. Having a rough idea of what to expect allows the team to map out an effective reconnaissance strategy ahead of the competitive runs under pressure.

Looking ahead to the competitive weekend, the objective is crystal clear for the Nordic charger. He stated that they will try to have a good rally, with victory remaining the ultimate target. Furthermore, he believes that MRF’s tyres will suit those specific conditions exceptionally well, combining with their machinery to deliver a top-class package capable of fighting at the absolute front of the field.
Backing up this campaign on the ground is the Spanish outfit RaceSeven, whose team principal Victor Perez voiced his delight in securing the young ace for the final international outing of the year. Perez emphasized that having one of the most talented young drivers join their lineup brings immense value, noting that Korhonen returns to the squad with considerably more experience than his debut in Hungary, which will prove to be a vital asset on the notoriously demanding stages of Fafe.



Discussion (0)
Join the Discussion!
Sign in easily to start commenting, replying, and interacting with other readers.
Latest Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!