13.09.2013

Finnish sportsmam Tapio Suominen, formerly known as a classic rally pilot and Toni Gardemeister’s assistant in the world championship, will participate together with his teammate Marku Hurskainen in the „Latvian Baja 2013“. For Tapio it will be the second rally-raid in Latvia. Last year Tapio and Marku’s team took the honourable second place. In an express interview we asked Tapio how he prepared for this competition.

What do you expect from this race?
Last year we did the same event, so we know a little bit of what’s going on in the different stages, and what conditions there can be. On Thursday we will do tests. Last time as soon as I got out of my home I went straight to the rally car. This time we will do proper test, therefore it will be easier for us to go on the fast track. Last time it was my first time driving this kind of a car. Now I know it and can push it much harder.

Last year you showed great results, what will you focus on this year?
We need to understand what is the average speed and what is the limit with what we can go on „blind“ roads. Sometimes you can go fast, make good seconds and take a risk, but in some stages it’s not good – you can damage the car on the small roads. You need to understand with what kind of style you will get good results – sometimes you need to drive sowly, sometimes you need to go very, very fast.

Will this stage be different from other stages of Russian championship?
Yes, in some parts it will. When we drove in february in the area of St.Petersburg, we could read lines much easier. This event is a little bit similar, except now we will drive on gravel, there will be mud in some places. In Astrakhan we were going through sand dunes. It is much easier to follow the road in Latvia, but you can also make mistakes, therefore in „blind“ sections you need to react well and be very fast.

Who will be your main competitors? Whom do you want to beat in this competition?
Everybody! The „G-Force“ team last year was driving well, I’ve been following their scores in other events,  they are driving well. Jouni Ampuja is also a very fast driver. It’s always fun drive when you get to fight because everybody is driving in the same level. It looks that I will be a very tough race. Everything can happen – you have to get good team, good results, build a good service and surround yourself with good people who can help you.

Your teammate will be Marku Hurskainnen..
Yes, like the last year. We have practiced a little bit, spoke about what we need to remember during the race, how we need to set up the car. From our side we should do everything so that we can get good results.