WRC-Neste Oil Rally Finland 2012

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Originally Posted by Arska

Yeah, the former outside service park area doesn't exist anymore and if my memory serves me right you can drive through harbour if you're not coming across the bridge.
By the way, I'm glad that Block and Duplessis are there, makkng Finland famous for the Americans.

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What you mean there's no outside service park? According the appendices (http://www.nesteoilrallyfinland.fi/a...4-50-52253.pdf) the service park is actually quite similar as it has been during the past years. It's true that there are heavy constructions going on but I guess they will get it at least in a reasonable condition.

Everybody who are coming to spectate NORF - be aware that the bridge construction site in Jämsä is already causing heavy traffic jams so it will be a hundred times worse during NORF! There goes a detour through Jämsänkoski which can be good option. I tried to find a map about it but no results so far...

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Originally Posted by rp

Very sad that there is no enough financial support for Jarkko Nikara. Once again only the old Mitsubishi Evo 9. There is so much hype about Esapekka Lappi (Fiesta S2000) winning the every round of the Finnish Championship this year (he is fast and very talented without the doubt), but Nikara driving the Evo 9 was almost able to beat him in Lapua (only 1,8 seconds separeted). Now would have been the time to drive the S2000 car again (only once in 2010) or already World Rally Car...

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Nikara's situation is really a pity. Not enough sponsors to get a real chance with top machinery. He's a guy that seems to have always some speed in reserve as Latvala (and crashes often too ;) ). Like rp said Nikara was much faster driver than Lappi in last Finnish Championship rally and it's not a first time he gives competitors some hell with that hell old EVO.

Oh, I thought they're not gonna use it as a service area because of the constructions going on but great if they can change it to a service area again despite the constructions, or are they done by then?

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Originally Posted by N.O.T

I said that because the last few years finnish drivers tend not to go abroad... like ketomaa, when he finally did it he was too old and he failed so hard it is not even funny.... yet he was hyped way too much like the next big thing...

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Everything has went really bad for Ketomaa but in my opinion there has not been many things the driver himself could have been doing better.

2009: Only event was Finland with slow and old Impreza. He drove like a madman and got 7th place.
2010: SWRC with useless Chinese FCACA team. Almost won the SWRC. Engine blows before event, not starting at service at NORF etc etc. I was there witnessing that the Chinese team had guys there wearing mechanics overalls but that were completely useless, maybe not mechanics at all. Speedwise Ketomaa was as fast as Hänninen still (NORF). Also posted really good speed in his first proper tarmac rally. After season it was agreed that FCACA team will continue and high possibility even with WRC. Unexpectedly they made an announcement that team quits and no drive for Ketomaa and too late to arrange other. The whole team was lost underground.
2011: Only NORF. One fastest stage time and fast enough with that testing. Crashing was bad, there's no denying that.
2012: Forced to drive with slow DMACK's. In a way the deal is great but I think it can also end Ketomaa's career. As long as we have no other proper driver with DMACK's 90% of the people just think he has lost his speed.

If I remember right the FCACA Fiesta S2000 in the SWRC was run by British Autotek team. That time all Fiestas in the world suffered a lot of technical problems not just this one. The reliability of the car was really bad back than.

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Originally Posted by Mirek

If I remember right the FCACA Fiesta S2000 in the SWRC was run by British Autotek team. That time all Fiestas in the world suffered a lot of technical problems not just this one. The reliability of the car was really bad back than.

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Thanks for the info. NORF service was funny to watch as there were maybe 1-2 good (European) mechanics/engineers and then about 5 Chinese guys standing on their way as best as they can. :) Hmm...I wonder...I might have seen that sometimes at work also...

Google Earth Map Neste Oil Rally Finland is now out Programme du Rallye Wrc de Finlande 2012

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Originally Posted by Juha_Koo

And the best thing is that he's not a tourist driver. He has done good results with VW Polo in smaller (blind) rallies.

Trying hard has also resulted to few situations :) : Lohjan pienoisralli ja sami sarjulan kaato ek-3 - YouTube (roll), Black Rocket Ralli 14.5.2011 [RJSM, HRT] - YouTube (excellent close call) and 27.9.2008 - Turku Karting XXXII Rantaralli [NuSM/LC, HRT] - YouTube (a bit heavier roll).

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He is a little bit crazy =)

Btw, i was in that place in Black Rocket 2011 =)

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Originally Posted by Hartusvuori

Will you lend the money for Finnish drivers? Because you didn't use that word once and that's also the missing thing in many young drivers' plans, that fact goes globally. Going through the same villige idiot rallies over and over again is an option when you love to rally but don't have resources for anything else. That why I tend to use the word "chance" in Lappi's case.



Mikko Pajunen, compared to Lappi, is a senior citizen in the current age model of world rallying. He is around 28. And he is hardly an "IRC guy", but still doing rounds in Italy this year. Perhaps you mistaken him for Nikara?

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no i am aware of nikara... i just think i saw pajunen enough times this year in IRC entry lists hense the title irc guy.

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Originally Posted by Hartusvuori

Will you lend the money for Finnish drivers? Because you didn't use that word once and that's also the missing thing in many young drivers' plans, that fact goes globally. Going through the same villige idiot rallies over and over again is an option when you love to rally but don't have resources for anything else. That why I tend to use the word "chance" in Lappi's case.

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I did not use the word money simply because it is as essential as having both of your hands... not because i think they are irrelevant.

As for the reason they do not test themselves abroad, if it is money, then i guess the media and all the managers fans ects should not bother with them in the first place to crown them champions or candidates for titles,wins and factory drives.