Today, on 15th February in the surroundings of St.Petersburg will be given a start for Russian Rally-Raid championship first stage, in which, under the international racing team from Latvia „RE Autoclub” will take part not only one of the main competition organizer – Alexander Terentyev/Alexander Terentyev Jr., but also world-famous motorsportsmen from Finland – Harri Rovanpera/Jouni Naeri and Jouni Ampuja/Tapio Suominen.

On Thursday were held first tests for all three crews in Russian ski resort „Igora”. „Winter rally specifics I know pretty well, because I had a chance to participate in around 30 rallies in Finland and in few rallies in Sweden, during my professional career. I have also won one of the WRC winter rally stages in Sweden, 2001! Referring "RE Autoclub” invitation, I decided to try myself in cross-country rallies at the moment. Each time, when I sit in the front of my steering wheel, I get really excited, but at the same time I understand that this all is serious job – I am sure about my car and about my team!”, mentions Finnish pilot Harri Rovanpera, after the first tests.

The self-confidence characterises also Juha Kankunena driving academy head instructor - Jouni Ampuja and after his first winter rally-raid tests he admits: "I have a very long experience in Finnish winter rallies as well as in a Kankunen’s driving school trainings on the ice. After the first tests I understood that our strong side will be the technical part of the rally-raid, unfortunately this will be just a small part of the race. Basically cross-country competitions are driven on a rather general remarks, so it means that we will need to feel the rhythm of the race. The stages are long, that is why at the moment it is hard to realize what we will need to face with."