In co-operation with Latvian racing team „RE Autoclub”, four Finnish sportsmen – Harry Rovanpera/Jouni Närhi and Jouni Ampuja/Tapio Suominen – will participate in 1st round of the Russian Rally-Raid Championship „Baja Russia – Northern Forest 2013”, that will take place from 15th – 16th February in St.Petersburg, Russia. This year Baja Russia will be also a FIA Cross-Country Rally World CUP Candidate Event for 2014.
Harri Rovanpera about his return in motorsports competitions says: “This is totally new experience for me – first time with such kind of car, first time I am working with Latvian racing team “RE Autoclub” and first time I will race in Russia. But I really like the idea – rally in winter time in Russia. I don’t know what to expect, but I am open minded for this new experience and ready for new challenges!”
Rovanpera will participate with „Mitsubishi Pajero L2” racing car, but Jouni Ampuja – with „Mitsubishi Pajero MPR6”, that triumphed in prestigious Dakar marathon rally some time ago.
“RE Autoclub” is an international racing team from Latvia that has experience in international rallies for more than 20 years’ and in cross-country competitions for 13 years. “RE Autoclub” overtook Mitsubishi factory sports department in France in 2012. This factory has a 12 years’ experience in winning technology, preparing leading cars for such prestigious cross-country races as DAKAR marathon rally, FIA World Cup, etc. Last year, “RE Autoclub” started cooperation with Finnish sportsmen – Toni Gardemeister and Tapio Suominen, and this year “RE Autoclub” is planning develop evens stronger cooperation with Finnish drivers together participating in international racing events.
“Baja Russia – Northern Forest 2013” will take place in the following international classification groups: T1 (prototypes cross-country vehicles) and T2 (series production cross-country vehicles). And the Russian Rally-Raid Championship and Cup will take place in following four classification groups: T1 (prototypes cross-country vehicles), T2 (series production cross-country vehicles), the national and raid-sports class.