2024 FIA World Rally Championship: Secto Rally Finland
August 1 - August 4
Challenge
A mix of hard, wide roads with narrower more technical sections.
Flat out from start to finish. It is affectionately known as the Finnish Grand Prix and nine of the 10 fastest WRC rallies have been here.
Pace notes must be perfect. Blind crests often hide corners and it’s vital to position the car correctly before take-off to ensure maximum speed through the bend.
Speeds are so high that time differences are small and there is little opportunity to regain vital seconds after a mistake.
One of the hardest rallies for co-drivers as high speeds demand a constant, pinpoint accurate delivery of pace notes.
Mastering the jumps. If the speed is too high, the car’s aerodynamics will force the back down and the front will rise. The tactic is to brake before take-off and accelerate full throttle over the jump.
Adapting from a traditional summer rally to autumn, when the smooth roads could offer exceptional grip or wet weather could bring softer and rougher conditions.
Car spec
Gravel suspension.
Pirelli’s soft compound Scorpion tyres will be the template choice, but hard compound rubber is also available.
Service park
Based in central Jyväskylä’s Paviljonki exhibition centre. WRC teams will line up in the ‘main street’ near the harbour, with support category teams indoors. Paviljonki is just a few minutes walk from the city’s shops, bars and restaurants.
Event History
Dates back to 1951 when it was launched as a means of deciding the Finnish entries for Rallye Monte-Carlo.
It took on the name 1000 Lakes Rally and was included in the calendar for the WRC in its first year in 1973.
It has been dominated by Finnish drivers who have won 55 of the 70 editions. Top of the roll of honour are Hannu Mikkola and Marcus Grönholm with seven wins.
The 2016 edition was the fastest rally in WRC history. Kris Meeke won at an average speed of 126.62kph.
