Arctic Lapland Rally, also known as the fell rally, will be driven in the Rovaniemi Arctic Circle for 60 times in succession.
Micke Suopuro,
Timo Uusitalo
The compilation of the Tunturiralli, the Rally Championship 2, will be seen on Sunday, February 2, at 5:30 pm on TV2 and Arena.
The double world champion of the rally Kalle Rovanperä Arrived on Tuesday from Monte Carlo to Rovaniemi.
At the same time, the Toyota snow tests started in two weeks from 13 to 16 February. Drive for the Swedish World Rally.
Rovanperä, who was fourth as the third best Toyota driver in Monte Carlo-the third best toyota driver, seemed disappointed last weekend.
For a few days, the melting had brought the 24-year-old rally master already familiar with the tranquility.
-In Monte, the Top4 place has traditionally been a good start to the season, although the podium is always the mini-target, cheerful Rovanperä talked to Sports on Thursday.
Rovanperä snorted dissatisfied after the opening race that “let’s see if I can drive a rally car in Sweden”.
– Well, at least so far I’ve stayed on the road, so much at least I succeeded here. It’s a good feeling when we are in Finland, Rovanperä commented on Thursday’s first contact with snow and ice in the Arctic Circle.
After the middle of the year, the Finnish rally has had a busy program early in the year.
As last year, Rovanperä participates in the weekend’s Arctic Lapland Rally, a fell rally, which is part of the Rally Championship.
Tire testing in the main part
At the same time, Toyota is also able to tour the test days, which are always a limited number of throughout the season (21). When it comes to competition, it does not consume the valuable test days of the stables annually.
Sure, Toyota is allowed to run unlimited in its own test area, but that area is limited. Now, Rovanperä is gaining an important benefit for the World Cup as he can drive in competitive conditions with the right special stages.
– An important weekend is ahead, above all because of new tires.
Testing new Hankoko tires for Rovanperä is the most important thing because he has not driven in Sweden with these spike rings before.
– Now you will notice that the tire is quite sensitive to the loose snow. The tire pattern is pretty much more “closed”, it does not remove the snow as much as the former. It’s a bit tricky when the grip disappears immediately or varies.
After dirty asphalt, Rovanperä is happy to return to a more familiar surface, snow.
– It’s always nice to drive an unspoiled, snowy clip. It’s one of the best weather to drive rally. Now, however, we focus on testing more than to feel.
What is it like to drive the test mode on and not just as a race driver?
– Driving is not just about how to drive the fastest. If there is a problem in the competition, you will try to compensate for it somehow in the competition. Here, on the other hand, just trying to adjust the car to your own, good mood. There is no need to forcefully twist if it doesn’t work, Rovanperä explains.
– A good and bad driving profile should definitely be recovered in (data) tests and understand where those differences come from.
“One of the finest winter rallies”
Last year, Rovanperä was in a fair lead in the fell rally before the decision set was faced with technical problems and interruption.
– There was some gravel now visible. We are the first to go here, so it’s not so bad for us. Of course, there are not as many snow benches as normal. Let’s try to stay between ditches.
“After all, this is one of the finest winter rides that exists,” the 24-year-old rally drooling reminded.
Rovanperä is the only one of the World Cup top drivers at this year’s event in Rovaniemi.
– Hopefully the big benefit is now in Sweden when you can test in competitive conditions and in the right special stages, without having to even re -test the same test, says Rovanperä.
At the same time, the fourth place in Monte Carlo knew to Rovanperä that he did not have to go to the World Championships to plow the way, which is always a significant fact in the Swedish rally.
The compilation of the Tunturiralli, the Rally Championship 2, will be seen on Sunday, February 2, at 5:30 pm on TV2 and Arena.