Among the rallies in the FIA World Rally Championship, the “Finnish Grand Prix” has held a special place since WRC’s founding fixtures in 1973. The fast and furious high-flying jumping action through Finland’s forest is the most coveted event in the season and one of the most demanding rally-driving skills. Finland is an iconic destination. With a tough route and tricky roads, it is the essence of rallying as a sport in its original sense, or better – the heart of motorsport. So, let’s dive into the main thrills of the WRC Rally Finland 2023 to explore the main tests for drivers and fundamental features for the fans. From the iconic jumps of Ouninpohja to the picturesque forests of Jyväskylä, this is an adventure you won’t want to miss. So buckle up, hold on tight, and let’s dive into the heart-pounding world of the WRC Rally Finland 2023.
From History to the WRC Rally Finland 2023
The WRC Rally Finland, or the “Finnish Grand Prix,” has a rich and storied history dating back to its inception in 1951. Considered one of the most prestigious events in the WRC, Rally Finland has become synonymous with speed, skill, and daring maneuvers.
Therefore, it is for a reason that Finnish drivers are known for their exceptional talent in rally racing. They have won 55 of the 70 editions of the event, earning it the nickname “the Finnish Grand Prix.” Top of the roll of honor is Hannu Mikkola and Marcus Grönholm, with seven wins.
Rally Finland took on the name 1000 Lakes Rally and was included in the calendar for the WRC in its first year in 1973. From Ari Vatanen’s breathtaking jump in 1985 to Marcus Grönholm’s dominant victories in the early 2000s, Rally Finland has been a stage for greatness.
The event has seen fierce rivalries, dramatic crashes, and unexpected comebacks, adding to its allure and mystique. Each year, the drivers push themselves to the limit, aiming to etch their names in the history books alongside the rally legends who have come before them. Rally Finland is not just a race; it’s a celebration of the sport and the extraordinary individuals who make it what it is.
WRC Rally Finland 2023 promises to be even more impressive, as the organizers announced over 27% of the route was changed.
The Challenges Faced by Drivers in WRC Rally Finland 2023
Rally Finland is not for the faint-hearted due to: high speeds, narrow roads, and unpredictable weather.
Tricky Fast Roads
A mix of hard, wide gravel roads with narrower ones makes the most of Rally Finland 2023 stages more technical. Also, the gravel roads can be unforgiving, with loose surfaces and hidden bumps that can catch even the most experienced drivers off guard.
With an average of 123.73km/h (76.88mph), the event sets as the fastest in the FIA World Rally Championship. Therefore, passing these roads feels like a rollercoaster. So, it is the most challenging for the co-drivers, which pace notes must be more than perfect. Even a little error may cost everything.
As for our drivers, they must possess exceptional reflexes, sharp focus, and a deep understanding of the car’s capabilities to navigate through the demanding stages.
Thrilling Jumps
Another issue on the agenda – the rally jumps. The impressive jumps in WRC Rally Finland have become synonymous and added thrills to the event.
Fans can witness the rally cars flying through the air, covering long distances before landing safely back on the track. These breathtaking leaps showcase the bravery and precision of the drivers, but hiding the dangers.
Thus, many blind crests often hide corners, and vital to position the car correctly before take-off to ensure maximum speed through the bend.
The Iconic Stages of Rally Finland
One of the defining features of Rally Finland is its unique and challenging stages. From the high-speed straights to the treacherous jumps, each stage presents its own obstacles. The most famous is Ouninpohja, renowned for its iconic jumps that send cars flying aerially.
Spectators line up along the road, eagerly anticipating the breathtaking spectacle as the cars soar over the crests. The drivers must maintain precise control and perfect timing to clear the jumps and maintain speed. The significant test of skill and bravery separates the best from the rest.
Weather testing
The ever-changing weather adds another layer of complexity. Although, according to the forecast, there is no 100% guarantee of hard rain for the weekend, the possibility is still high.
Thus, rain can turn the roads into slippery mud and reduce visibility. As a result, the WRC Rally Finland in 2023 can be the endurance test for the drivers and the Rally1 Hybrid cars. Only the best can conquer these challenges and emerge victorious in Rally Finland.
WRC Rally Finland 2023 Schedule and Racing Programm
Racing Programm
So here is the racing program for the WRC Rally Finland 2023. Overall, the 22 stages add up to 320.56km in a total route of 1471.63km are on the agenda. We will start on Wednesday, 2nd August with a ceremony in Jyväskylä, which is the epicenter of the teams’ actions, as here is the Service Park, and team boxes hold the place.
While the racing pre-action takes place on Thursday 3rd August, with the morning’s Rannankylä (4.48km) shakedown. However, the real action begins later that evening with the mixed-surface Harju (3.48km) street stage in front of big crowds in central Jyväskylä.
The most significant changes to the route come on Friday 4th August, where nine stages and 104.76 competitive kilometers. The Laukaa stage (11.78km) is the first one, which includes a new start and a few epic jumps. Following Myhinpää (15.51km) is back on the itinerary for the first time since 2015. The next stage, Halttula (9.14km), is brand-new for 2023 and will test our drivers for the skills as well.
However, Saturday 5th August suites the most challenging day of the racing program, as there scheduled eight special stages totaling 160.68km of competition. Västilä stage (18.94km) is another brand new, opens the day. Then Vekkula – suits the longest stage of the rally at 20.65km!
Sunday 6th August starts with a little respite of two double-use speed tests: Moksi-Sahloinen (16.56km) and Himos-Jämsä (9.26km) before a grand finale with the bonus points-paying Wolf Power Stage.
Rally Finland 2023 Schedule
| WEDNESDAY 02 AUGUST | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| CEREMONIAL START FROM JYVÄSKYLÄ | 20:00 |
| THURSDAY 03 AUGUST | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| THE SECTO STAGE, PAVILJONKI SP | 13:45 |
| BREAK | 14:30 |
| PRE SHOW FROM DOWNTOWN JYVÄSKYLÄ 18:45 | 19:00 |
| BREAK | 19:45 |
| SS 1 HARJU 1 – TV LIVE WF1 | 20:00 |
| FRIDAY 04 AUGUST | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| JYVÄSKYLÄ, PAVILJONKI | 08:00 |
| SS 2 LAUKAA 1 | 08:05 |
| SS 3 LANKAMAA 1 | 09:03 |
| STUDIO FROM JYVÄSKYLÄ, PAVILJONKI SERVICE PARK | 10:15 |
| SS 4 MYHINPÄÄ 1 | 10:21 |
| BREAK | 11:15 |
| STUDIO FROM PAVILJONKI SP | 11:30 |
| SS 5 HALTTULA 1 | 11:35 |
| BREAK | 12:15 |
| SS 6 LAUKAA 2 | 14:30 |
| SS 7 LANKAMAA 2 | 15:30 |
| SS 8 MYHINPÄÄ 2 | 16:45 |
| SS 9 HALTTULA 2 – TV LIVE WF2 | 18:00 |
| STUDIO FROM JYVÄSKYLÄ, PAVILJONKI SERVICE PARK | 20:15 |
| SS 10 HARJU 2 | 20:20 |
| JYVÄSKYLÄ, PAVILJONKI SERVICE PARK | 21:00 |
| SATURDAY 04 AUGUST | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| JYVÄSKYLÄ, PAVILJONKI | 08:00 |
| SS 11 VÄSTILÄ 1 | 08:05 |
| SS 12 PÄIJÄLÄ 1 | 09:05 |
| SS 13 RAPSULA 1 | 10:02 |
| SS 14 VEKKULA 1 – TV LIVE WF3 | 11:00 |
| BREAK | 12:00 |
| SS 15 VÄSTILÄ 2 | 15:35 |
| SS 16 PÄIJÄLÄ 2 | 16:35 |
| SS 17 RAPSULA 2 | 17:32 |
| BREAK | 18:10 |
| SS 18 VEKKULA 2 – TV LIVE WF4 | 18:30 |
| BREAK | 19:30 |
| PAVILJONKI SERVICE PARK | 20:00 |
| SUNDAY 05 AUGUST | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| JYVÄSKYLÄ, PAVILJONKI | 07:45 |
| SS 19 MOKSI-SAHLOINEN 1 | 07:53 |
| BREAK | 08:30 |
| SS 20 HIMOS-JÄMSÄ 1 – TV LIVE WF5 | 09:00 |
| CONTINUE ACTION FROM SS 20 | 10:00 |
| SS 21 MOKSI-SAHLOINEN 1 | 10:30 |
| STUDIO FROM HIMOS-JÄMSÄ | 11:16 |
| BREAK | 11:30 |
| SS 22 HIMOS-JÄMSÄ 2 WOLF POWER STAGE – TV LIVE WF6 | 13:00 |
| WOLF POWER STAGE | 14:30 |
Note the time is local, while Finland uses Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), three hours ahead of coordinated universal time (UTC+03:00). You also can check the full schedule on WRC official.
Instead of Conclusion
Racing program of WRC Rally Finland 2023 impressive as well as all the challenges during the weekend: many short but high actions scenes we expect to see. As for the claimers for the victory, there is no definite answer. Thus, we expect to see Toyota’s star driver and the youngest-ever world rally champion Kalle Rovanperä at the podium. The same expectations share the rally fans here, because it is the homeland for Rovanperä, and he is rushing to gain the first victory in Finland.
However, his main contender is M-Sport driver Ott Tänak, who already has three wins in his pocket. Even, though the purple Puma of M-Sport can’t boast such power and reliability as Toyota’s Yaris WRC has, Tänak knows how to manage the car through Finland’s route well. One thing is for sure there is no time to rest.
So mark your calendars and prepare to be captivated by the heart-stopping action of the WRC Rally Finland 2023. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
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