Finland's Motorsport talent system

[Sami]

Jari-Matti Latvala for sure is an exception, for him they have built a career since he was 10 (he got his first competiotion car at the age of 8). He has driven variety of cars in variety of conditions since the beginning (in GB, Italy, Finland already in the first year), rwd (corolla, ascona, escort), fwd (opel astra, renault clio group n and a, citroen saxo, suzuki ignis, ford puma and fiesta) and 4wd (lancer, impreza, cup and N, corolla wrc, Focus versions)...

Everyone knew he's gonna go far since he started the rallysprint competitions in Corolla GT 16 years old.

[SubaruNorway]

Grönhoms are going to be Andreas Mikkelsen's mentor helping him with everything from setup to pacenotes and support on event's.

http://www.vimenn.no/bil/article178362.ece

[Sami]

You nailed it. I think that tough and wide competition in all levels is rather the key.

For Sami, are you sure that Nikara is more talented than Hänninen? Hänninen's results from group N has been slender but in terms of raw pace he has been perhaps most convincing pwrc driver in five year. Also his stage times with Mitsu wrc in Finland were improving to very high level before technical problems. I remember especially Lautaperä where he was fourth with Mitsu wrc.

It is not relevant discussion, both are talented.

But comparing their early years I saw Nikara as a more pure natural talent, he was phenomenal in his first competitions in an astra, Hänninen was not that amazing until his second Civic year...

[Sulland]

Can anyone explain AKK's role in more detail - what they do and how they do it.
Is the role of the past and current top drivers included into this, or is their role separate ?
Is sponsorship a part of the deal ?

[rdr]

Can anyone explain AKK's role in more detail - what they do and how they do it.
Is the role of the past and current top drivers included into this, or is their role separate ?
Is sponsorship a part of the deal ?

- Now (2008) coach/teacher is Risto Mannisenmäki
Main sectors: season and career planing, physical and mental training, driving, car handling (diffrent test's and analysing), working with team, appearance and language skills, pace-notes, rules, marketing, antidoping etc..

- no any other AKK sponsorship!!!

[Maui J.]

I remember starting an almost identical thread like this on a rival forum 3 or 4 years ago.

I think Jonkka's answer summed it up best in a few words... "Success breeds success".