Ford has nominated Finland's Janne Tuohino as the second points-scoringdriver for next month's Swedish International Rally (5 - 8 February)alongside team leader Markko Märtin.  Twenty-eight-year-old Tuohino, whowill be co-driven by Jukka Aho, will drive a privately-entered Focus RSWorld Rally Car 03 on the event, the second round of the FIA World RallyChampionship.

Tuohino will become the first non-works driver to compete in a2003-specification Focus RS, joining the team's lead pairing of MarkkoMärtin and Michael Park.  Belgians François Duval and Stéphane Prévot, theregular second pairing, will be entered for the rally by Ford BP RallyeSport to enable them to maintain their quest for points in the drivers'series.

Tuohino has considerable experience of the Focus RS WRC on worldchampionship rallies.  He finished seventh in Sweden in 2002 and matchedthat result in Finland last season at the wheel of privately-entered cars.He also won the non-championship Arctic Lapland Rally in Finland last yearin a Focus RS and finished third in the FIA Junior World Rally Championshipin 2002 in a Citroen Saxo.

"Janne is a consistently good performer in Sweden and his nomination assecond driver for this event strengthens our line-up for one of thechampionship's most specialised rallies," explained Ford BP team directorMalcolm Wilson.  "The snowy and icy conditions suit Scandinavian drivers whotraditionally dominate the rally and Janne will not be out of place amongthe world's top drivers.  François understands the tactical thinking behindthis decision and will receive full support for the rally as a works driverwho will compete with the aim of scoring drivers' points."