[WRC] Arctic Rally 2021

[mknight]

Only thing I find bit weird:

When Kalle started with Yaris WRC (year ago) most of you here were saying "it´s way too soon" (Kalle was WRC2 PRO Champion)

now when Oliver is starting with i20 WRC nearly everyone is OK with it.

Is that because Kalle proved you

Oliver is less than year younger than Kalle and fast.
Lack of results is only problem, very many good SS results but not so many overall.

I have nothing against him driving WRC (especially because I will be there, working.)

I was against Rovanpera driving as factory nominated 3rd car if Toyota were to be serious about manu title.
This proved totally right. Toyota lost manu title even with 1-2 in drivers cause Rovanpera couldn't outscore Sordo+Loeb+Breen.

As you say Rovanpera had about a year more experience, but also an actual WRC2 title and multiple rally wins. In either case the only real danger for him at that point was that he would be under pressure to score and not just learn rallies. I guess Makinen didn't really care much about manu title. Toyoda seems to care as he was a bit vocal about it later in the season.

I have nothing against Solberg driving in WRC, if it's a part of a decent plan ahead. He could run a full or half-season like Loubet for example. But this does not seem to be a part of any plan atm, instead it's Adamo's "have to do something" reaction after Monte.
He even says it directly in the interview at the test.

This off course does not mean it can't be "made" into a plan as they go.

[EstWRC]

vids of stages up here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzA...ZK8aXo53flddAg

[AnttiL]

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc...---s-newcomer/

[satukata]

Very fast stages in Arctic rally. Juho Hänninen´s average speed was 136km/h SS Siikakämä. Also SS Aittajärvi and Kaihuavaara are around 130km/h

[AnttiL]

Very fast stages in Arctic rally. Juho Hänninen´s average speed was 136km/h SS Siikakämä. Also SS Aittajärvi and Kaihuavaara are around 130km/h

Siikakämä has its fastest section dropped. I’d say Sarriojärvi and Mustalampi 115-120 km/h, others 130-135 km/h

[Mirek]

Seeing some familiar stage names here... RBR creators anticipated the future...

[AnttiL]

There will be 10 cars in WRC2.

[abcrally]

Info via Twitter:

#WRC Valtteri Bottas confirmed he will not enter to #ArcticRallyFinland as other commitments like F1 simulator are waiting.
#WRCLive 📷: @SaariJarno https://t.co/SVX5ca7iBH

[abcrally]

Does this below tweet mean we could see Mattias Ekström in Arctic? News from Sweden are telling that EKS Team is coming with two cars to Rovaniemi.

Soon I will embark on an adventure of a liftime. For the next few weeks I plan to drive cool cars, visit spectacular places and enjoy the freezing part of Scandinavia. Stay tuned! #GoHardOrGoHome #TheArcticAdventure https://t.co/FwsBqD0G0z

[pantealex]

Some confirmed "local" entries:
Mikko Heikkilä Fabia Rally2 (Fast driver)
Tuomas Skanz Fabia R5 (Slow)

Fiesta Rally4 drivers:
Sami Pajari (JWRC 2021)
Lauri Joona (JWRC 2021)
Toni Herranen (Marcus Grönholm´s, GRX Academy driver)
all 3 are faster than some RC2 drivers

(For sure not entered: Riku Tahko, Hyundai R5, he works for local rallyradio during rally)