WRC Arctic Rally Finland – “This is why we go Rallying”

Tänak, Rovanperä and Neuville trying out new vehicle - a reindeer-pulled sleigh

On 23rd February Visit Rovaniemi warmly welcomed the rally teams to the Arctic Circle – and Santa Claus Village – to explore the arctic, bucket list -activities. During the playful raceday the teams of Hyundai, Toyota and Ford completed their very own Reindeer Driving Licences with Santa Claus Reindeer, dashed through snowy forests with the Siberian Huskies from Husky Park, and competed against each other on Snow Rally Rings ice karting. The day culminated to a moment with Santa Claus himself at Santa Claus Office, where the drivers got the last advice for the race from the most famous resident of the Arctic – and also got to hear they were all on the nice -list.

Lapland enchanted the drivers – ”We hope to return”

It was obvious there wasn´t a driver to be seen who did not praise the sights in Rovaniemi or on special stages – the snowy tracks were fully enjoyed. No matter the challenges caused by the arctic elements Lapland charmed the drivers. Yle Rally reporter Tomi Tuominen also praised the the race to be the most aesthetic WRC race ever.

Ott Tänak the undeniable winner of the Arctic Rally Finland stated after the race that even if he could change something about the race, he wouldn´t.

– This has been an amazing event. Unbelievable that the organizers did such a great job in such a short period of time. The stages were challenging. Everything went great and the conditions were more than perfect, Tänak praised when interviewed by Yle Urheilu.

Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans would love to return to Lapland to drive for the world championship.

– I love driving these stages. And can´t wait to return, Neuville said.

– Really nice stages. The winter conditions are almost guaranteed here this time of the year. Anywhere else in Europe this race would have been driven without snow and in plus 8 degrees.  Everyone loved it here, and I would love to return to race here, said Evans.

Lovely, soft and treacherous snowbanks

Lorenzo Bertelli  said in Shakedown “I enjoy snow, I love snow, we have perfect conditions and I am happy to be here.”

And Craig Breen fell for Finland as well “It’s absolutely incredible conditions out there at the minute. You just have a road full of grip with big, lovely snowbanks. Well, they seem lovely anyway ready to push you back on the road and you can just go like the clappers and carry so much speed. Every day when you get to drive one of these cars is something special but it’s on conditions like this that it really blows your mind. It’s something special so let’s try to enjoy it.

Even though everyone praised the stages in Lapland there was some drama. Fresh snow and icy stages brought their own share of challenges to drivers spearing their tires, and retires were seen as well. Drivers doing some shoveling to free their WRC cars from snow banks were at least Sébastian Ogier, Janne Tuohino, Sean Johnston and Emil Lindholm – not to mention the winner  Ott Tänak and young Finn Kalle Rovanperä who none the less secured himself second placement.

Podium made of ice gave a thrill – Santa Claus handing the trophies

Hyundais Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja took the 1st place in Rovaniemi and on the 2nd Kalle Rovanperä & Jonne Halttunen with their Toyota also taking the lead in the provisional standings. 3rd were Thierry Neuville & Martijn Wydaeghe with their Hyundai.

The atmosphere at the ice podium with all the national anthems was bubbly and presenting the trophies for 3rd place by Ulla-Kirsikka Vainio, Mayor of Rovaniemi and for 2nd place presented by Jean Todt, FIA President and to top it all presenting trophies for 1st place who else than Santa Claus the most famous resident of Rovaniemi!

"This is why we go rallying"

“There was something slightly incongruous about seeing seven-time world champion Sébastien Ogier deep in conversation with Father Christmas in late February.” WRC view from the service park.

The WRC’s first visit to Arctic Rally Finland Powered by CapitalBox was a huge success in so many ways towering success last weekend. We got to see a fast and fascinating Finnish round of the championship and a hugely entertaining event. It’s fair to say everybody fell for Finland last week, with WRC2 winner Esapekka Lappi summing it up better than anybody.

“What’s not to love with this event?” he questioned. “We have the perfect roads, minus conditions, great ice and blue skies. This is why we go rallying.”