The winner of 15 WRC events, Hirvonen retired from top-level competition at the end of the 2014 season and will pilot a two-wheel-drive Ford Escort RS1800 for the Rossendale Wines team in the April 8-10 rally.
Otago Rally spokesman Roger Oakley said the organising committee had tried to secure Hirvonen for this year's event but he was unavailable. But the negotiations were not in vain, and the rally was thrilled to be welcoming a driver of Hirvonen's high calibre to the event, Oakley said.
''We are excited to receive Mikko's entry, as he has a fabulous record in the World Championship and our fans are in for a treat of world-class driving on world-class roads.''
Along with providing New Zealand and Australian competitors with a real benchmark to compare themselves against, ''Mikko is known for being very approachable and likeable'', he added. Hirvonen (35) is expected be joined at the Otago Rally by longtime co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen, the man who sat beside him when they finished runners-up in the WRC an incredible four times. Somewhat cursed to compete in the WRC era dominated by great drivers with the name Sebastien, Hirvonen was second to Sebastien Loeb in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012. When Loeb retired, Sebastien Ogier took over the world domination reins, claiming the WRC titles in 2013 and 2014, when the Finn was fourth overall in both his final years.
Although he has competed in Rally New Zealand many times, Hirvonen has never driven competitively on the South Island roads and is looking forward to his Otago Rally debut.
''I have been aware of the Otago Classic Rally for a number of years, and it has always been an event that I wanted to do one day. The attraction of competing on these roads in a legendary BDA Escort is irresistible. For sure, I will be aiming to win, but I am looking forward to also visiting this beautiful area and mixing with the local competitors,'' Hirvonen said.
During his 13 years in the WRC, Hirvonen drove for the Ford, Citroen, Subaru and Skoda teams, and now owns his own Ford Escort RS1800, in which he competes regularly.
The Otago Rally has a history of attracting WRC stars, including Bjorn Waldegard, Hannu Mikkola, Juha Kankkunen, Ari Vatanen, Miki Biasion, Didier Auriol, Michele Mouton, and father and son Jimmy and Alister McRae.
New Zealand's own WRC star, Hayden Paddon, has also been a regular competitor in the event, most recently in May this year, when he created a sensation by winning the event outright in a classic car.
Mikko Hirvonen career highlights
WRC teams: Citroen, Ford, Subaru, Skoda, M-Sport Ford
WRC rallies: 163
WRC wins: 15
WRC podiums: 69
First rally: 2002 Rally Finland
First win: 2006 Rally Australia
Last win: 2012 Rally d'Italia Sardegna
Last rally: 2014 Wales Rally GB
