The World Rally Championship has headed to Finland for one of the most popular rounds of the championship. The gravel roads are smooth and fast, and littered with huge jumps. Most of the drivers refer to the event as the Grand Prix Finland because the average speeds are the fastest on the schedule (top speeds are generally around 200 kph). Finland is also considered a specialist’s event, even though it is gravel, as the style of driving is quite different from the other loose surface rallies. In the nearly 20 years the rally (as the 1000 Lakes Rally and Rally Finland) has been on the WRC calendar, only two non-Finns have won the event (Didier Auriol and Carlos Sainz). Both Petter Solberg and Richard Burns have looked quick over the past few years, but I don’t expect them to stand on the top step of the podium come Sunday.

This is Peugeot’s rally to win. Marcus Gronholm has four consecutive wins on the event, and Harri Rovanpera (also Finnish) is always quick here as well. Richard Burns desperately wants this to be the first rally he wins for Peugeot, though it will be interesting to see what sort of risks he takes if he can still hold on the driver’s championship lead without the win. Unless Gronholm makes a mistake, he should be tipped to win.

Subaru is looking for a good result. Petter Solberg was the best of the rest last year, taking third place, and Tommi Makinen also has a streak of consecutive wins here in the 1990s, so it’s not a question of ability. During the shakedown today, Solberg commented that the Impreza just didn’t feel quick, and that could be to their disadvantage.

Much is expected of Ford and Markko Martin. The Focus has been really quick since its debut this year, just about on par with the Peugeots, but it has been plagued by some mechanical difficulties (which robbed Martin of at least one win so far). But, if the car holds up, Martin could be on the podium come Sunday. Francois Duval, on the other hand, just wants to finish the rally and score some points for the team. Expect a steady rally from Duval.

The big question mark of the rally is Citroen. Both Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz can be quick on the rally, and the Xsara has proven to be fast on the loose surfaces this year, so perhaps one of them can break up the Finnish monopoly. Sebastien Loeb doesn’t have much experience on the rally, so expect him to also run a steady rally and try and maintain his position in the driver’s championship.

Skoda will just be trying to get the new Fabia to the finish ramp on Sunday, but DIdier Auriol has complained of shoulder pains, so he may not even start the rally. Hyundai is also looking to get a manufacturer’s point or two come Sunday. Freddy Loix and Armin Schwarz can be quick, and some consistent top 10 stage times may get them to their goal.

My picks:
1. Marcus Gronholm
2. Harri Rovanpera
3. Richard Burns
4. Petter Solberg
5. Markko Martin

Posted on 7 August 2003