The tough and demanding enduro motorcycle race around Päijänne brings 170 drivers to the landscape of Päijänne. It has been difficult to make routes this year due to the abundant snow.
It is already the 86th in a row. There is now an exceptional amount of snow on the race terrain.
The starting point of Finland’s best-known enduro competition is the new Vääksy in the municipality of Asikkala.
– There has always been a lot of snow at once. There may be another 20 cents of snow in the road under the road. If the rear wheel sinks, the frame catches and the motorcycle cannot move forward, says the track manager Marko Ojala Asikkala.
Ajouria has been contracted with a tracked ATV and honest shovel work. Sweat and extra working hours have been required from the organizers of the special exams.
– I don’t remember that there have been so many challenges in making routes for a while, Ojala says.
Although the weather has been a positive plus in recent days, melting snow should not be a concern, at least in parts of the forest. In some places, however, the tracks can become very heavy.
– Drivers driving upstream may benefit when the track is frozen after night frosts. Throughout the day, the grooves can slip down, especially on the southern sections. In any case, the drivers have a tough job ahead of them, Ojala estimates.
Eemil Pohjola hunts Päijännekilpi
The snowy winter has also made it difficult for drivers to prepare. The previous Päitsin 2021 won Eemil Pohjola admits that the training did not go as planned.
– There has always been more snow and the routes have been blocked. Driving has often been just the opening of a route. As a result, there is less time left to adjust the wheel.
According to the driver, the Nordic bike is still in the stitch. The man’s driving condition is evidenced by the overwhelming victory in the opening race of the enduro SM season.
On Sunday, Jämsä may become one of the few drivers who won three Päijänne Circuit and at the same time got Päijännekilvi.
– Let’s go for it. I think there is a good chance of that. A tough race is still coming.
Asikkala Race Center
The Päijänneajo Race Center has been in Heinola in recent years, but this year the place will change to Asikkala. Maintenance and accommodation is at Hotel Talluka, and an audience special test has been conducted in the middle of Vääksy.
– In previous years, there may have been a similar special exam at the end of Helsinki. It is really great that one has now been received in Vääksy, and thank you to the municipality for that. The public now has a place where it is easy to come and watch the race, says Marko Ojala, the track manager.
– Every event is important for the municipality, and we want to profile ourselves as sports-friendly with such a sport as well. At the same time, we hope that we can play our part in increasing young people’s interest in enduro and thereby influencing the number of enthusiasts, says the mayor Rinna Ikola-Norrbacka.
Asikkala currently has an agreement to host this year. The sequel is open.
– We hope to be prominently involved in the future as well. There will be some costs, of course, but the sums are small compared to what can be achieved with this, says Ikola-Norrbacka.
The Helsinki Motor Club, which turns 100 this year, is responsible for the Päijänne Circuit. The competition is held every year except for the war years and 2020, when Korona canceled the event.
This year, 170 drivers will leave for Päits.
You can discuss the topic until 11 p.m. Saturday night.