Targeting for victory in Latvia

Kuva: Jesse Haaja

Jari Ketomaa said he has only one thing on his mind when he headed to Latvia for round two of the FIA European Rally Championship – to win Rally Liepaja-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 and pre-event test went really well. 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 Liepaja-Ventspils, RA Motosport.

However, the 33-year-old Finn says that knowledge won’t be of much use when ERC action begins on 1st of February.

– 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 Liepaja-Ventspils draws to a close on 3rd of 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.