Last updated 19:44, Thursday, 31 July 2008

MUNCHI’S Ford driver Luis Pérez Companc and co-driver José María Volta will retire from the World Rally Championship after this weekend’s Rally Finland.

Pérez Companc has been a pioneer in exposing rally to the Argentine public through his Munchi's Ford which was the first, and so far only, WRC manufacturer team to hail from South America. Rally Finland will also mark his 30th WRC start.

Co-driver Volta is also set to retire from competition and play more of an organisational role within the Munchi's outfit - an auxillary team to M-Sport’s Ford team - but will still leave himself available as a reserve co-driver for the team should they require one.

Volta is also a legend in Argentine rallying, contesting 40 WRC career events - his first back in 1988 on Rally Argentina.

Rally Finland is also round three of the 2008 Pirelli-supported Fiesta SportingTrophy International series, which is run by M-Sport.

Currently leading the way after two rounds is the all-female crew of Burcu Çetinkaya, aged 27, from Turkey and co-driver Çiçek Güney, 26.

Çetinkaya’s double podium effort on the opening two rounds - including a win in Turkey - sees her hold an eight-point advantage in the series.

This will be the first time either competitor has competed on Finnish soil and they will be searching for yet another podium result.