Ford driver Mikko Hirvonen will make his competition debut in his Escort Mk2 on next January's Arctic Lapland Rally in the north of Finland.
Hirvonen tested his new car, built by British preparation firm Historic Rally Sport, for the first time last month and is now keen to put the BDA-engined Escort to work. The two-day event runs out of Rovaniemi on the edge of the Arctic Circle and includes a total route of around 750km.
"The Arctic Lapland Rally looks like a good event to use the car for the first time," said Hirvonen. "I like the stages there and, more importantly, it's on snow, so the stones won't damage the car.
"I'm really looking forward to getting out in it again. I'll do some testing somewhere before then, but driving it on snow will be really good fun."
In the meantime, Hirvonen will focus on his day job of defending his lead in the World Rally Championship with Ford on Rally Finland next week.