Official Young Guns (updated)

[bluuford]

Do you know what he is studying?

As far I am concerned he is still the youngest ever driver to win the JWRC rally.
Despite wrc.com stating something different: http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk...J-WRC%20winner

I found from our university database that his curricula is called SL and it should be SOCIOLOGY.
He is still training to keep himself fit (playing basketball and running), In one day I met him when he decided to miss his lecture because the lecture room was too full and there were no places to stay and he went to run instead.
If I can see him I will talk to him and ask what are his plans.

[Sami]

Its early to say, but I'd like to throw two names in:

Esapekka Lappi - http://rallikuvat.1g.fi/2009/hamina/.../hamina_30.jpg
Mikko Pajunen - http://rallikuvat.1g.fi/2009/heinola...heinola_18.jpg

Here's an example (Yes, it's only one stage, and the top guys might have already been slowing)

SM Finnsco-Ralli:

SM2 - SS18 (25.32 km)

1.Lappi Esapekka 14:56,2
2.Pinomäki Kalle 0:01,1
3.Lindroos Joonas 0:01,9
4.Hautamäki Ville 0:03,1
(SC4 1.Pajunen Mikko 15:12,1)
5.Tahvanainen Toni 0:10,0
6.Korhonen Jukka 0:27,0
7.Tawast Anssi 0:29,9
8.Savolainen Jarkko 0:34,2
Hakulinen Janne 0:34,2
10.Kumpumäki Jussi 0:45,6
11.Teppo Jussi 0:47,5
12.Vainionpää Jussi 1:05,5
13.Harsia Toni 2:15,4
14.Yushin Andrey 2:31,1

Well, now you might ask what's so special about Pajunen. Well... He's driving 162HP Gr. F Kadett while SM2-cars are Gr. n cars.

Here is Mikko's wesite:
http://www.mikkopajunen.net/
Check the in-cars!!! http://arjy.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Mikko/Vid...inkkarit+2009/

I couldn't agree more, these two guys are our hope for the future, there was three amazing talents a year ago, Lappi, Pajunen and Jaro Kinnunen, all were superior in blind rallies, and as it typically happens, some of those are not at all fast on pace note -rallies. That happened to Jaro, he drives by what he sees and can't trust pace notes...

Pajunen should get a proper car, he is huge talent, look at these amazing clips and other on his webpage:

http://arjy.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Mikko/Vid...%E4%E4/Ek1.wmv
-> After the roll he calmly asks: You have a cigarrette?

http://arjy.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Mikko/Vid...9/pori_ek2.avi
-> this is a blind rally, check the way he enters the blind crests unaware what's behind. I admire that braveness. He just doesn't give up in the most hopeless situations. I was there spectating in that corner he almost rolls, that was really huge save as there was easily +100km/h speed there, he just kept it on wheels..

http://arjy.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Mikko/Vid...+-+Pajunen.wmv
-> Great performance there too, blind rally this one too, but you hear typical co-driver work there, as he reads the road to driver the way he interprets what he sees...

Check the way he uses the accelerator, he never lifts the throtthle in corners, even in opposite lock he still keeps it nailed, amazing! Something Loeb mastered already in his early phases of career in Saxo.

[Sami]

Interesting news about these two is, that they are now replacing Juho Hänninen, Jarkko Nikara and Matti Rantanen in Finnish Rally Coaching group. About Hänninen and Nikara, added with Jari Ketomaa, they are the three "group 1" super talents of Finland, Lappi and Pajunen are in my opinion group 2. The third member of the Coaching group is Jukka Korhonen, the F-Cup champion of this year

[Jeppe]

You´re right Sami. Those three young guys will be the new "AKK rallivalmennusryhmä" AKK Drivers Academy in english.

And according to rumours Mikko Pajunen might compete in BRC in 2010.

[Sami]

You´re right Sami. Those three young guys will be the new "AKK rallivalmennusryhmä" AKK Drivers Academy in english.

And according to rumours Mikko Pajunen might compete in BRC in 2010.

Which car?

Plus Finnish Championship too? Which car?

[Sami]

Nice 2009 season review video of Mikko Pajunen:

http://arjy.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Mikko/SLA...TE,+IN-CAR.wmv

All but the last roll on that video are from blind rallies, so no notes, even though the co driver reads the road for the driver, "seems to be going right, don't know, tightens!"

[Iskald]

Nice 2009 season review video of Mikko Pajunen:

http://arjy.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Mikko/SLA...TE,+IN-CAR.wmv

All but the last roll on that video are from blind rallies, so no notes, even though the co driver reads the road for the driver, "seems to be going right, don't know, tightens!"

Impressive stuff, and certainly impressive bravery from the codriver! He must be the ultimate optimist.

After 30 years of codriving, I`m too old for this, Sami! Will be interesting to follow the young chap further on in his career. I have a hunch that we will be hearing some more from him...

[Co-FIN]

..

[COD]

Also Rantanen and Nikara will be doing the British Championship in an R2 Twingo. More on the BRC website

[Fly]

This week-end in Belgium: young gun Mathias Boon (Impreza N14) VS Patrick Snijers (Impreza N12) at rally des Ardennes. We'll have a better idea of Boon's potential. He took part to this rally last year. Snijers has won the rally 9 or 10 times.
Boon was 2008 Fiesta shoot out winner but has still to confirm his potential.