IT’S rallying’s equivalent of a summer tour to New Zealand - that’s the size of the task facing Machynlleth’s Osian Pryce at this week’s Neste Rally Finland.

Just three weeks after Rally Poland and securing the biggest result of his career, when he won two prize drives in the World Rally Championship-based Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy, the 23-year-old is ready for the season’s toughest test on Finland’s famous gravel rollercoaster.

Formerly known as the 1,000 Lakes Rally, and the Jyväskylän Suurajot, Neste Rally Finland holds a special place in the hearts of rally fans around the world - and is touted as rallying’s spiritual home.

Winning on these roads requires speed, nerve, and a perfect set of pace-notes to describe what’s happening on the far side of blind crests whilst flat out in top gear.

Pryce and co-driver Dale Furniss were supposed to compete in Finland last season, but were left disappointed when a lack of budget forced them out of the Scandinavian trip. This week, however, the dream will come true for Pryce.

“For anybody involved in this sport, Finland has always been such a special place,” said Pryce.

“Like everybody, I have grown up watching footage of guys like Marcus Grönholm or Markku Alen driving roads with unpronounceable names like Ouninpohja or Mökkiperä and now I’m here about to be doing the same thing, it’s fantastic. It’s a dream.”

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