Gravel Notes - Rallying News

S2026 Ep2: Interview: Getting To Know Hyundai WRC co-driver Enni Mälkönen

Joining us for the first episode of a new era for Gravel Notes is Hyundai Motorsport co-driver and WRC3 and WRC2 champion navigator Enni Mälkönen. After a brief dalliance in the WRC top flight calling notes for Sami Pajari in 2024, Mälkönen has returned to the top tier this year, joining Esapekka Lappi for a part-time programme, piloting the third factory Hyundai.The first of those rounds arrived at Rally Sweden recently, where its was clear to see how much it meant to Enni as she realised a dream of competing at the top level again. The beaming smiles every time the TV coverage jumped onboard the #4 Hyundai have made Enni a bit of a internet sensation since.To find out a bit more behind the smiles I sat down with Enni before she jetted off to Safari Rally Kenya for a chat exploring her career to date. 

S2026 Ep1: Welcome to Gravel Notes 2.0

Welcome back it has been quite a while since our last post but I’m pleased to say that we are back after a bit of a rebrand. So what can you expect from the new look Gravel Notes? We will still be bringing you interviews and analysis from the WRC, but there will be a lot more what I like to call rally culture content. Its a bit niche and nerdy but I hope that there will be something of interest for you rally fans out there to enjoy and get involved in. So how can you keep up to date with Gravel Notes? The podcast will be available from your chosen podcast provider and own YouTube. ut we also have brand new flashy website gravelnotes.com designed by a good friend of mine Adam Piggot. I’ve got to say big thanks to Adam for his hard work in getting this project off the ground and for the stunning new Gravel Notes podcast artwork which I think really captures perfectly what we are trying to achieve.

Interview: Getting To Know British Rally Icons Gwyndaf And Elfyn Evans

Two titans of the British rallying scene are the latest guests to join us on the Gravel Notes podcast. Gwyndaf Evans lit up the stages in the 1980s and 1990s winning the British Rally Championship in 1996 driving a Ford Escort RS2000 before going on to finish a championship runner on four occasions. His son Elfyn has since developed into a regular World Rally Championship title contender with eight WRC wins under his belt. The factory Toyota Gazoo Racing driver is firmly in the fight for the 2024 crown.Autosport’s WRC reporter Tom Howard sits down with Gwyndaf and Elfyn to understand how they have put Welsh rallying on the map, what traits the father and son share and how they are working together on the WRC stages.

Interview: World Champion Petter Solberg

Few wore their heart on the sleeve and entertained like Petter Solberg, which earned him legions of fans and the nickname Mr Hollywood. More than two decades on from winning the 2003 World Rally Championship title the much-loved Norwegian remains a force in the rallying scene.But what is it like to be Petter Solberg - the showman? Autosport’s WRC reporter Tom Howard and rally journalist Luke Barry find out how defying his parents earned him his first national success, his WRC dream team and discover some of the hidden challenges he’s overcome.

Interview: Double World Champion Kalle Rovanperä

Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Kalle Rovanpera is one of the brightest young talents in Motorsport having rewritten the World Rally Championship record books, becoming the youngest ever champion aged 22 in 2022. Last year he joined an elite group of drivers to defend the crown that include Juha Kankkunen, Miki Biasion, Tommi Makinen, Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier.The Finn may be familiar for tackling the world toughest roads but this year he is expanding his motorsport horizons, dovetailing a part-time WRC campaign with a move into circuit racing. But there is a lot more that makes the Finn tick as Autosport’s WRC reporter Tom Howard and rally journalist Luke Barry find out.