Latvala and Audi Quattro together in Rally Estonia
Jari-Matti Latvala loves this sport. Of course there were ups and downs, he maybe even had his own moments of doubt a la Dani Sordo’s “I should maybe do something else”, but ultimately, rally is what Jari-Matti does and loves. His love goes beyond “just” the usual thing of being employed as a driver for the manufacturer team, competing in World Rally Championship. I mean, it’s nice, but there is more to this sport (or less, depends on perspective).
It’s no secret Jari-Matti loves historic rally cars. He’s driven some of them in tests and in rallies, and now, it seems, he’s hooked. For his next historic car outing he will jump into something really special. Audi Quattro was, and still very much is, one of the most iconic rally cars of all times. Just to see one parked is exciting enough, not to mention see it driven on the stages. But, Jari-Matti is actually going to drive this thing in couple of weeks time in Estonia. Last year, Jari-Matti also took part in Historic European Rally Championship round, driving an Escort Mk2.
The official release makes no mention of the exact specification of Latvala’s car, but again, they are all beasts, featuring all wheels drive and plenty of horsepower to keep the driver happy and engaged!
More info on this interesting project follows below.
Jari-Matti Latvala and Audi Quattro – partnership for auto24 Rally Estonia
Jari-Matti Latvala`s interest for historic rallycars is well-known. Last year he and Asko Sairanen took part in auto24 Rally Estonia Historic, which was a round of FIA Historic European Championship. And they won it in style driving a very remarkable Ford Escort RS Mk2 BDA. This year Jari-Matti will tackle once again the fastest gravel roads in South-Estonia as he starts in auto24 Rally Estonia Historic with the first four-wheel drive car in WRC – Audi Quattro.
auto24 Rally Estonia held on 19th-20th July is the biggest autosport event in the Baltics. Like last year it is a round of FIA Historic European Championship. The impression Volkswagen Motorsport works driver Jari-Matti Latvala and also other Historic drivers got from Estonia was very good and therefore the decision to continue with the round of FIA Historic European Championship was quite natural.
The Audi Quattro which Latvala is driving in auto24 Rally Estonia is a revolutionary car in WRC. In the end of 1970’s and in the beginning of 1980’s rear-wheel drive ruled the world in WRC. In 1981 Audi came and introduced for the first time turbo-charged four-wheel drive rallycar. The car was fast and both Hannu Mikkola and Michele Mouton won rallies with it. In 1982 Audi won the manufactures championship and Mouton lost her title to Röhl.
In modern cars the entry list looks already good. Jari Latvala, father of Jari-Matti will start with Mitsubishi Lancer WRC2, first Lithuanian driver who has competed Dakar with car, Benediktas Vanagas will start with Subaru Impreza WRC and there is a hope to get confirmation that PG Andersson will start with Ford Fiesta RS WRC. Also are both auto24 Rally Estonia and Ott Tänak with his supporters working hard to find a WRC seat for auto24 Rally Estonia. As auto24 Rally Estonia is a round of Estonian and Latvian championship all the best drivers from Baltics are present. Entry is open for auto24 Rally Estonia so more news about the drivers will follow. Rally director Urmo Aava has been working hard and there will be more WRC drivers in auto24 Rally Estonia. Like last year besides all that the aim is to have a good international competition in every class. For the first time in Estonia, auto24 Rally Estonia will use Qualifying Stage for TOP 10 drivers. It will be held on Thursday 18th of July and on Friday TOP 10 drivers choose their starting positions.
auto24 Rally Estonia is not just a rally. It is also a live concert on Friday night with Estonian famous heavy-metal band Metsatöll. Sevice area has a lot of activities for children with a special Lõunakeskus children area. Roads in South-Estonia are offering a lot of jumps but on Friday night in Super Special in Otepää specially built artificial auto24 jump will fly cars more than 30 meters. For those who can’t make it to the rally it is good to know that live broadcast from Otepää Super Special will be translated to TV6, in internet delfi.ee and auto24.ee . Sky Plus Rallyradio 99,1 Mhz speaks Estonian, Latvian, Russian and English.
