Former Pirelli Star Driver Jukka Korhonen is hoping to wrap up his first British Rally Championship title as the six-round series draws to a close with Rallye Sunseeker Inernational next weekend (18-19 October). After winning last year’s Sunseeker, reigning Pirelli Star Driver Mark Donnelly is hoping to sign off the season in style.

Forming the sixth and final event in this year’s British Rally Championship, Rallye Sunseeker International also plays host to the final round of the British Historic Rally Championship for the first time. Spectators, therefore, can enjoy a unique opportunity to see a wide range of rally cars from the 1960s through to the modern era battling it out in the Dorset and Hampshire forests.

For the fourth all-gravel event of the year, Pirelli will be on hand to supply its highly successful gravel tyres in 15-inch fitments. The harder Pirelli K4 gravel tyre will also be available. Pirelli now supplies tyres to more than 250 motorsport championships across the globe and has been supporting the international category of the BRC for seven years.

"It would be great to go back and win the Sunseeker but I think to get on the podium would be a good result for us this year,” admitted Pirelli Star Driver Donnelly, who will drive a Pirelli-backed Citroën DS3 R3T at the Poole-based event.

"It's an event I'm looking forward to. It holds great memories for me after last year so hopefully everything will go well for us. I was surprised at the Trackrod [Rally Yorkshire] because the times just weren't there and I don't know why. Our times were consistently off the pace that I wanted, but there are a few set-up changes to be made, which should make the car even better for the Sunseeker," Donnelly concluded.

Korhonen is currently leading the BRC driver standings with a total of 94 points. The Finn, who was supported by Pirelli throughout 2012, has enjoyed a sensational year having never finished outside the top two all season. Tied in joint second is Tom Cave and Alastair Fisher who are on 74 points apiece, with Jonny Greer four points behind in fourth. A three-way battle between Cave, Fisher and Jonny Greer for this year’s runners-up spot is expected to rage next weekend.

For the first time in 25 years, this year’s Rallye Sunseeker International will be based away from Bournemouth and will move to a new base in Poole. The event will once again feature more than 60 stage miles, including the popular attractions at Somerley Park with Poole Quay set to host the ceremonial start and finish.

Pirelli UK operations manager Matthew Corby, concluded: “It’s been another exciting British Rally Championship season and it’s set for a thrilling finale with the top four crews separated by only 24 points. Jukka looks set to wrap up the title but in rallying, anything can happen and nothing is certain until the drivers have crossed the finish podium. Our Pirelli Star Driver Mark has a great track record at Sunseeker: he won this event when it formed round one of last year’s championship and I see no reason why he can’t triumph again this year. Mark’s confidence in the Citroen has come on tremendously this year and it would be the perfect end to the year if he was to sign off with a win.”