Competition Director Kai Tarkiainen describes the route as one of the best ever. The route encompasses the typical high speeds of the Central Finland rally stages with familiar favorite special stages. However, it also successfully incorporates roads that have not yet been driven in the World Rally Championship since the modern era began in 1997.
Overall, 61% of the route has changed since last year, and 12% comprises entirely new roads that have not been used in the World Rally Championship since 1997. The special stages accumulate to about 305 kilometers.
The competition week for Rally Finland starts on Wednesday, August 1, with competitors setting off from the starting ceremony at Jyväskylä Harbor. On Thursday morning, a shakedown stage is run, returning to the jumps of Ruuhimäki. The Ruuhimäki jumps will also be enjoyed during the actual race, as the stage is included in Friday’s race schedule.
The competition’s first special stage runs through the heart of Jyväskylä at Harju on Thursday. The city special stage at Harju will also be revisited on Friday, at the end of the race’s longest day.
Friday consists of four special stages, each run twice: Laukaa, Saarikas, Myhinpää, and Ruuhimäki, culminating with Harju.
Saarikas, located east of Äänekoski, is a completely new addition to the World Rally Championship. It has been previously used in national rallies, but not in this exact form. Even the familiar special stages have received some new touches from the route team.
Saturday’s races are held around Jämsä, running three special stages twice: Västilä, Päijälä, and the king of special stages, Ouninpohja, now in a long 33-kilometer version. Ouninpohja was last run in this format, though in the opposite direction, in 2016.
Sunday’s sprint day will distribute points based on the results of two double-run special stages, Sahloinen-Moksi and Laajavuori, with the latter serving as the competition-ending Power Stage on its second run.
“I sincerely believe that our exceptional ‘All-in’ route is one of the best ever. We have listened to various parties and strived to fulfill all possible wishes. Through this, we have compiled a route that successfully combines tradition and innovation,” says Competition Director Kai Tarkiainen.
“It includes famous, familiar special stages, but we’ve still managed to incorporate new ones close to Jyväskylä. The special stages are grouped in a way that allows the public to easily enjoy the best rally roads of Central Finland,” he adds.
Rally Finland Schedule:
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 19:00 Ceremonial start: Jyväskylä Harbor Thursday, August 1 10:01 Shakedown: Ruuhimäki 19:05 SS1: Harju 1 (3.48 km) 19:40 Service A: Paviljonki (15 min, flexi) Friday, August 2 08:13 SS2: Laukaa 1 (18.00 km) 09:20 SS3: Saarikas 1 (15.50 km) 10:35 SS4: Myhinpää 1 (15.51 km) 12:05 SS5: Ruuhimäki 1 (7.76 km) 13:27 Service B: Paviljonki (40 min) 15:10 SS6: Laukaa 2 (18.00 km) 16:17 SS7: Saarikas 2 (15.50 km) 17:32 SS8: Myhinpää 2 (15.51 km) 19:05 SS9: Ruuhimäki 2 (7.76 km) 20:05 SS10: Harju 2 (2.01 km) 20:40 Service C: Paviljonki (45 min, flexi) Saturday, August 3 09:05 SS11: Västilä 1 (18.94 km) 10:05 SS12: Päijälä 1 (20.19 km) 11:05 SS13: Ouninpohja 1 (33.00 km) 13:10 Service D: Paviljonki (40 min) 15:35 SS14: Västilä 2 (18.94 km) 16:35 SS15: Päijälä 2 (20.19 km) 17:35 SS16: Ouninpohja 2 (33.00 km) 19:30 Service E: Paviljonki (45 min) Sunday, August 4 08:55 SS17: Sahloinen-Moksi 1 (14.40 km) 10:05 SS18: Laajavuori 1 (4.19 km) 11:17 SS19: Sahloinen-Moksi 2 (14.40 km) 13:15 SS20: Laajavuori 2 (8.53 km) *Power Stage 15:00 Finish/Podium: Paviljonki
