Rovanpera Embracing “Different Mindset” for GT3 Debut

Kalle Rovanpera says he needs to adopt a “different mindset” as he makes his 24-hour race debut with Proton Huber Competition in the Michelin 24H Dubai.

The Finnish racer, a two-time World Rally champion, is set for his first appearance in a GT3 car as he joins compatriots Jukka Honkavuori and Jani Kakela as well as Joel Monegro and Bashar Mardini aboard the No. 969 Porsche 911 GT3 R.

The 24-year-old is the latest rallying star to branch out into sports car racing, with Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier both also doing so in previous years.

Rovanpera explained that the Dubai drive came about through his time in Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux last year, where he drove for RedAnt Racing and won three races, finishing fourth in the standings despite missing four races due to his WRC commitments.

“Last year, the last race of Carrera Cup Benelux, we were talking with Jukka and [saying] we should drive something together,” Rovanpera told Sportscar365.

“We started to work on it to get the chance and then he got me and Jani on board the project and everybody else also.

“It’s been nice to get the first touch on the GT3 car. Been really enjoying that, so far all good.”

Rovanpera said he has had to adapt to driving Porsche’s GT3 offering after a year in Carrera Cup, needing a change in driving style to get the best out of the increased downforce.

“With the GT3 for sure you can feel that it’s quite a decent step,” he said.

“On the straights, not really. I think the Cup cars with less downforce are almost faster on the straights.

“But for sure the ABS braking and more aero on the braking and corners makes a big difference.

“I think it was pretty okay to learn. Maybe the driving style is a bit different than the Cup car.

“So to change the driving style was maybe the biggest thing, but other than that I would say it was nothing special.

“Just to trust the aero a bit more, like let the car do the work more. In the Cup car you need to always brake or accelerate, with this one you can roll a bit more, let the car do the work.”

The 24H Dubai will also be Rovanpera’s first exposure to sharing the track with several different classes at the same time, something he hasn’t had to deal with in his previous racing exploits.

“It’s the first time I have this kind of multi-class race and I think in the race it will be definitely a bit different mindset,” Rovanpera said.

“But I also need to take care of it more, especially in a long race like this. I’m used to not doing so much racing but for sure in Carrera Cup and everywhere you’re used to go to every place where you just have a chance.

“Of course here you need to take care a bit more to not have any incidents and stuff like this, so you need to be a bit more calm.”

Rovanpera noted he’s approaching the weekend as a learning opportunity, getting to grips with GT3 machinery and the intricacies of endurance racing.

“For sure this kind of race is super good for me to get a lot of lap time on the GT3,” he said.

“Which is definitely what I want to do more. I want to do some GT3 racing so here I get a lot of lap time on the GT3 car [and] to learn how to manage 24 hour races is also important.

“So far when I’ve been doing a bit longer stints I’m pretty consistent on the lap times which is a good thing.

“Maybe not what you expect when I didn’t really have any experience. So that was a positive surprise.

“I think if I can just be consistent and of course to try to stay out of trouble, learn how to pass the traffic, I think in 24 hours that’s one of the biggest things where you make time or lose time.

“Just to stay out of trouble and be fast in the traffic.”