Urheilu caught up with Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen before the World Rally Championship in Jyväskylä.
Aino Perttilä,
Roope Visuri
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Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen have been at a furious pace before the home race, the World Rally Championship in Jyväskylä. The two have become among the most followed Finnish sports stars. They lead the World Series by a clear margin. However, fewer people know what their nature is like outside of the TV cameras.
Urheilu caught up with Rovanperä and Halttunen before the home match.
– Kalle is actually quite relaxed, one of the most relaxed if not the most relaxed, Halttunen described.
– During the race trips, we get along well, but Jonne might react a lot more violently. Yes, you can say that directly. At least Jonni’s first reaction to everything is much stronger. I’m a bit calmer again, Rovanperä states.
Rovanperä and Halttunen believe they complement each other.
– When I’m excited about something, Kalle says quite bluntly that “you don’t have to react at all, it doesn’t help anything.” I am then that the matter is clear.
In one respect, the two are alike.
– If we are, say, fifth, and there is no ranking to run from, maybe we are not at our best. The situation may turn into a fluke, states Halttunen.
– You don’t have to be serious all the time. Sometimes you can throw a flap, but we try to stay at the top. Then it’s good to press on, Rovanperä states.
Rovanperä and Halttunen also opened music lessons before the competition. Notation of the routes takes place on two days during the rally week, usually on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The special tests of the competition are run twice with civilian cars, observing the speed limits. Then it’s still not going at a competitive pace.
– The first time I see what the road looks like. I’ll try to describe it as well as possible. In the second round, Jonne reads the notes. They will be checked. Many times we change or specify something in the sheet music, Rovanperä opens.
Rovanperä reminds that many spectators may not realize at all where they are driving.
– The notes come many bends earlier, Rovanperä states.
– I never really look at the road. I’m just looking at the sheet music. I know where to go with the brakes and g-forces, says Halttunen.
Rovanperä reminds that driving a rally car has to come from the spine.
– Not thinking about anything. When you hear a note, you know without any thought what kind of bend is coming, Rovanperä states before getting deep into the heart of the rally.
– All the time, all the little things appear in the sheet music one after the other, which affects the final result. Still, it’s clear to me. I listen to the music and drive.
Watch the video below about notating Rovanperä and Halttunen and the meaning of the different signs.