Interesting topic, as long as it stays objective.

I've been delighted to follow some French events over last years and one can see from the times that the competition is really tough. To me it's clear that why so many French drivers now comes to the highest level, it starts from beating the guy next to you in equal, national series and secondly, it looks like there's good financial support. Otherwise for example Lefebvre would not have done JERC and JWRC at the same time last year. It's good for him and good for us spectators as he is one of the most, if not the most interesting drivers at the moment. Camilli too is very, very impressive and I learned only now that he is so early in his career.

I would love to learn more about French series, what kind of budget they require, how the competetive spirit in general, where does the sponsor money come from, etc. It seems to work.

Of course I do have an idea why Finnish drivers haven't flooded the international top positions lately. We have of course Latvala who is the best driver in the world in a good day. Maybe this will be his good year. Lappi is reigning ERc champ if that's worth anything. Hänninen's achievements aren't that far back in the history either, but of course at the moment his career doesn't look good.

My idea isn't new. It's money. Or the lack of it. Like few forumers on this topic has said already why Finns don't drive abroad and it all comes down to money. If you look at our national series, F-cup is the most popular. It's good for a driver to start with, but one year should do, it's not 2015 in terms of eyeing an international career. Look at FRC. Only a few odd S2000/R5 around and even more rarely are they driven by those considered promising talents. Driving Gr. N Impreza year in year out doesn't take you anywhere - and in most cases those drivers are happy just to be able to have this hobby. In general, Finnish drivers, fast or not so fast drive with outdated machinery because that's the only choice. Other option would be not to drive at all. We have many local heroes, but mostly we don't expect them to do anything international, because we already know they don't have a chance. They could possible stand a chance, but they don't have chance.

There are few Finnish drivers who try their pace abroad, but not always are their the fastest of their generation. Tom mentioned Kinnunen and Lario, of which the latter is just a beginner and the previous, well, a fast guy but not the fastest. BRC champ Jukka Korhonen has talent, but after his title year, meaning last year, did he do any more than three starts of which he twice retired? (Touquet, Circuit of Ireland, Ypres) Tom also mentioned Swede Emil Bergqvist whom I'm following with interest. I've seen him live only twice, both in one make cup. First time was 2013 when Swedish rough Volvo Mekonomen Cup visited Finland. He was clearly head and shoulders above the rest. Last time in Rally Germany I saw Bergqvist do Opel Adam Cup and even if his times were at the top, he didn't stood out that much. There's still potential and of course Swedes put a much hope in him.

This year Samuli Vuorisalo will do Opel Adam Cup and now he is considered as one the fastest of his generation. Adam Cup is not Peugeot Volant, but it shows Vuorisalo is at least trying hard. I wish him all the best. It goes without saying he hasn't competed on tarmac before, though. (Did I mention it's practically impossible to organize tarmac rallies in Finland? At least they are not organized)

I think we will hear more from Henri Haapamäki as well. He has what we know as raw speed, so hopefully he gets chances to refine that.

Teemu Suninen is a joker. I can't tell about him, he is far too early in his career, but for sure it looks like he has an ability to learn fast and it also looks likemsome chances are coming in his favour.

I was spectating a local event today, Finnish Junior Championship event in Laukaa, you know, Rally Finland stages. Maybe three or four R2s. Juniors drove with smaller cars. My driver of the day is Henri Tuomisto. In the end he retired, but up until that was clearly the fastest in his class. In the last FRC event of 2013 Tuomisto was 2nd fastest R2 in his first - and so far only - R2 outing. He was faster than Haapamäki, Vuorisalo, do I have to mention Vatanen, ... He drove the best competition he had had that far. Last year, not much from him. Today he drove R1 Fiesta. But he is fast...

There are names, some more than mentioned here, and I do hope all the time they would get the budgets to go abroad, and then burst into recognition of people that they need.

Oh, and one more: those French youngters are s**t fast. That's why they are up there too.

Dedicated to N.O.T.,