Finland : BFGoodrich - PreviewA red wooden house beside a pine tree-ringed lake... the picture book setting for the WRC's annual Suomi showdown, Rally Finland. Initially known as the Jyväskylä Grand Prix, then the Rally of the 1000 Lakes Rally, the event stands out as a
cornerstone of world rallying's calendar, its craziest and fastest encounter that all drivers dream of winning at least once in their career.
Every August, while their Latin rivals prepare for takeoff, the locals sprout wings for their home event. However, contrary to popular belief (in rally circles at least), the original Flying Finns were not actually the country's rally heroes. Despite a score of 13 world titles and almost 150 wins between them, the Mäkinens, Toivonens, Mikkolas, Vatanens, Salonens, Aléns, Kankkunens and Grönholms of this world merely inherited a nickname initially given to the first generation of great Finnish long distance runners - Hannes Kolehmainen, Paavo Nurmi and Ville Ritola - who amassed no fewer than 25 Olympic medals in the early decades of the 20th Century. They were the true Flying Finns.
Another frequent misconception is that Finns have always dominated their WRC round. Again, not true, of course: Latins Carlos Sainz and Didier Auriol have both triumphed in the Nordic nation and these last two years have seen
Sebastien Loeb give Marcus Grönholm more than just a good run for his money.
Last season even saw the Frenchman claim the celebrated Ouninpohja test, Finland's most famous launch-pad that the fastest drivers swallow up at an average speed of 128kph. The record for the longest jump on the same stage remains the effort of Estonia's Markko Martin who leapt a full 57 metres in 2004!
Another unfounded preconceived idea is that tyres do not play an important role on the Rally Finland. On the contrary, its ultra-quick stages and impressive jumps call for tyres (the only point of contact between the ground and the car rocketing down tree-lined tracks at more than 200kph) that ensure impeccable cornering precision and are also capable of soaking up the huge dynamic forces generated upon landing after the countless jumps.
"The issue here isn't so much tyre wear and resistance to punctures as it is in Sardinia and Greece," points out BFGoodrich's Rally Programme Manager Matthieu Bonardel. "The high speeds and, above all, the incessant landings make huge demands of the casings. In Finland, and for the first time in 2007, BFGoodrich tyres feature a rigid construction capable of withstanding the impacts and guaranteeing accurate steering response, while the choice between soft and medium compounds provides optimal grip."
Although punctures are quite rare on this event, thanks notably to the mousse insert fitted between the rim and the tyre on WRC cars, they nonetheless had a major influence on the outcome of the 2005 and 2006 events. On both occasions,
Sebastien Loeb's hope of conquering six-time winner Marcus Grönholm were dashed by an encounter with a rock.
This year's fight promises to be as thrilling as ever and the entry is exceptional, with no fewer than eleven Ford Focus WRCs (including new 2007 cars for Grönholm and Hirvonen), two Citroën C4 WRCs and three Prodrive-entered Subaru Impreza WRC2007s.
Press Release BFGoodrich
