The Rally Estonia has been part of the WRC calendar in recent years, but this summer it serves as a round of the European Rally Championship. Tänak, who drives for Hyundai’s WRC team, will participate in the event to showcase his speed to the Estonian audience.
Rally Estonia director Urmo Aava told the Estonian newspaper Postimees that negotiations for Tänak’s participation began well in advance. Tänak cannot compete in the ERC rally, but he will participate in the Estonian national series event held in conjunction with it, driving the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 car.
The event provides Tänak with a good opportunity to prepare for the Rally Latvia, which takes place a couple of weeks later.
“At a major event, it’s important to have all the top Estonian drivers present. In addition to the ERC round, we will have the Estonian Championship on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday will count towards the cup competition. This gives drivers like Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja, or someone else, the opportunity to fine-tune their car at our rally,” Aava told the newspaper.
According to the plan, Tänak will start the special stages after the ERC drivers. It remains to be seen if other drivers from the WRC will join the competition.
“I can say, however, that we are working with one team. But this topic is not yet ripe enough to share with the public,” Aava hinted.
WRC teams have utilized national rallies for testing in recent years. Teams have a limited number of test days available during the season, but participation in a competition does not count as testing.
