Kankkunen: Aging legend

Juha Kankkunen could be Burns' secret weapon

Undoubtedly one of the great rally drivers of all time, Juha Kankkunen is not the force he once was, but the 41-year-old's huge experience means he can never be discounted.

The last of Kankkunen's four world titles came in 1993, and he has been driving in team-mate Burns' shadow for most of this season.

But the Finn, who has been racing in the WRC for longer than any of his leading rivals, knows all about the Rally of Great Britain.

Valuable experience

Kankkunen is edging towards retirement, but armed with an Impreza, he must be considered a genuine top contender for this year's event, and that is good news for Burns.

Just as Peugeot used Gilles Panizzi and Francois Delecour to keep Marcus Gronholm's main rivals from closing the gap on him in Corsica and San Remo, so Kankkunen's experience and guile could be a valuable asset for Burns as he attempts to secure his first world title.