Excitement is in the air at Himos-Jämsä for Secto Rally Finland! We did the math to find out what Secto Rally Finland 2024 means in numbers:
305.69 is the total number of special stage kilometers accumulated by teams over the weekend.
80 driver pairs are participating, the most since 2015.
10 Rally1 cars are competing for the win, with 3 of them driven by Finnish drivers.
34 Rally2 cars are competing for their own points.
8 special stages and 130 kilometers are set for Vetomies and Nelivetomies on Friday and Saturday.
5 years since the Junior WRC series last ran and is now back in the Finnish leg.
What should you bring?
Cash for parking tickets, sun/rain protection, water bottle, comfortable (not new!) shoes and clothes suitable for walking, admission tickets, possibly a folding chair or other light seating – And most importantly, a cheerful rally spirit!
A battery-powered small travel radio is also a good tip in case your phone battery runs out. You can listen to Rally Radio (99.3 MHz in Himos-Jämsä) for up-to-date race stages delivered by the ironclad and downright diamond media professionals, including Mr. Tony Melville, in both Finnish and English.
Based on the author’s own experience, snacks are always a good idea. There’s nothing worse than getting hungry. Wait, where’s the nearest sausage stand…?
Tickets
Tickets are available both electronically and in physical versions. Physical Collector’s Edition rally passes (Rally Pass, Biker’s Pass, and Rookie Pass) can be obtained at Shell Helmisimpukka in Himos-Jämsä, Kauhkialantie 116. The gas station does not accept cultural vouchers as a payment method or redeem products ordered online.
Bring the Kids! Children under 12 can attend all Secto Rally Finland special stages for free with their parents, within the limits of possible audience restrictions.
The spark often ignites early. After a first rally experience, a 9-year-old was asked:
“So, are you going to be a skier or a rally driver when you grow up?”
The roar: “RALLY DRIVER!”
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TICKETS
Parking
Please bring cash for parking fees at special stages. The organizer aims to enable card payments at parking areas as well, but it’s best to be prepared.
Security on special stage: “So, you backed into the muddiest spot.”
Local guy: “Yep, it’s stuck. No problem, the neighbor Reiska will pull it out with his Valmet when he gets around to it.”
Safety
Safety first, both in traffic and along special stages. Always follow the instructions of the event organizers and security personnel, and stay in designated viewing areas. The audience can contribute to making this the smoothest round of the season and the world’s best WRC rally with their sensible behavior!
Watch the clock and check the map. Head to the special stages early. You’ll be in a rush if you don’t know where you’re going, so also read the driving instructions in advance. Parking might take time as thousands of rally fans are on the move, and there may not be room at your first-choice parking area.
Like Marcus Grönholm once: no idea which way to go after a spin but in a hurry. “Left or right, left or right!? Which way?”
SAFETY – THE FOUNDATION OF EVERYTHING
Accessibility
Personal assistants (1 assistant/person) accompanying visually and mobility-impaired spectators with admission tickets have free entry to all special stages.
Parking spots for the disabled at special stages can be found in the official competition guide by Keskisuomalainen, published on July 24, 2024. Efforts are made to ensure that paths from these parking spots to viewing areas are as accessible as possible.
Finally:
Remember to expertly explain the new points system to your friends, even if you don’t understand it yourself. How exactly are the points divided again…?
Raise the flags and prepare your cheers – Himos-Jämsä wishes everyone a fantastic WRC rally!
More information:
SECTO RALLY FINLAND IN HIMOS-JÄMSÄ 3.-4.8.2024
Changes possible.