8 August 2002: Fresh from his outing at the Punchestown Rally Experience event last month, Ford’s Colin McRae and his Focus WRC are aiming for a hat-trick of World Rally wins as the Rally of Finland commences on Thursday. McRae is now second in the drivers’ championship, having recorded victories at the last two events, the Acropolis and Safari rallies.

The strength and reliability of the Focus RS was clear for all to see on the toughest rounds of the 14-event series in Greece and Kenya, as Ford slashed Peugeot's lead in the manufacturers' standings from 41 points to just 14.

Wide, flowing gravel tracks and a super-smooth surface guarantee breathtaking speeds on this, the fastest rally of the championship. Spectacular jumps and stunning scenery amid the lakes and forests help to draw in thousands of fans and create one of motorsport's great events over 1,700 km in a country regarded as the spiritual home of rallying.

Colin McRae has come so close to adding his name to the Finnish winners' list, claiming second in 2000 and third last year, driving a Focus World Rally Car on both occasions. "I'd love to score a 2002 hat-trick in Finland," enthuses Colin, "and I'll certainly go there with winning in mind, but this is still one of the most difficult rallies for a foreign driver to win.’

McRae thrilled fans in July at Punchestown when taking his Focus WRC car to victory over Andrew Nesbitt and Austin McHale.