The Finnish World Cup Rally is held on the first weekend of August. The route has changed from last year, now includes the much-desired Myhinpää and Halttula, which is run after that.
The return of the rally in Hankasalmi’s Halttula has been long awaited. The last time a World Cup rally was held there was in 1995, albeit on a different route than this year. None of the current drivers have driven there for World Championship points.
Mikko Laitinen the homestead is in the place where the start of the special exam is located this year. He remembers well the 90s rally frenzy in the villages.
– When I was a little boy, the last time they drove past here. There was a lot of attention and autographs were collected. It’s nice that now my own children can watch and get their hands on rallying, Laitinen muses.
The Halttula special test measures a good nine kilometers.
– It’s a pretty winding old village road, there will certainly be situations, Laitinen says.
The route of the rally changes every year. The omission of the nearby Ruuhimäki, which has been involved for a long time, was one thing that made it possible to include Halttula on the route.
– Halttula is a modern special test for modern cars. A variety of road equipment is available to drivers. In addition, it is easy for the public to get there. There are a lot of open fields, so there are good viewing areas and services, sums up the assistant race director of the Finnish World Rally Championship, i.e. Secto Rally Finland Kari Nuutinen.
Myhinpää’s expected return
This summer’s rally is also expected in Rautalammi in Myhinpää. The last time I drove there was in 2015. Myhinpää is a favorite of many rally people, and for good reason.
Jukka Matilainen has lived in Myhinpää almost all his life, so he is familiar with the special exam path. He has even rallied there in the Suonenjoki Rally.
– Demanding. There are a few bends that are challenging. Yes, you also enjoy it, Matilainen describes.
According to assistant competition director Nuutinen, Myhinpää is undoubtedly one of the best special stages in the world.
– Rarely have I sat at a table where Myhinpäätä was not wanted on the route. It’s like a roller coaster in the middle of a rural idyll.
Nuutinen says that the construction of the route is the sum of many things. Dozens if not hundreds. This year, one big enabler for Myhinpää’s participation is the Halttula special exam.
– Myhinpää is quite far away. Halttula opened an opportunity for Myhinpää, because they are at a reasonable distance from each other. This way, the schedule and rhythm of the competition can be rationalized, says Nuutinen.
Although Myhinpäätä is widely praised, it has its own challenges for the rally organizer and spectators.
– There will be quite a few through roads, so spectators may have to walk long distances to get to the special test, Nuutinen sums up.
The Finnish World Rally Championship will be held on August 3-6, 2023. Ylen Ralliradio follows the events live from start to finish.
Have you been or are you planning to go see the Finnish World Rally Championship on the spot? You can discuss the topic on 9.6. until 23:00.