Land of Sisu Motorsports in Finland
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INTERNATIONAL Courtesy of Lena Peres, Speedgroup Land of Sisu Motorsports in Finland ››› By Linda Spencer weden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark are collectively known as ››› In 2021, Finland’s Kauhava Dragstrip the Nordic region, and its population of approximately 27 million citizens (located about 250 mi. northwest of Hel- sinki) has been added as round three in is passionate about all forms of wheeled competition, including rally the 2021 six-round European Drag Racing Sracing, drag racing, drifting and circuit racing. Championship. A high standard of living provides the is used to refer to strength of will, determi- roadways total about 280,000 km locals with ample disposable income, and nation, perseverance and acting rationally (174,000 mi.). Though they exist on the positive perception of U.S. racing in the face of adversity. It is also often used a grander scale, they may not be very products provides an excellent export to explain Finland’s achievements in sports different in concept from the Ameri- opportunity for U.S. motorsports prod- and physical endurance. can rural dirt tracks that provide grass- uct suppliers. In addition, the strong Below are some of the other factors roots training for NASCAR and even English-language skills among the average (combined with sisu) that might lead to drag racing. citizen make it one of the easiest export Finland’s outsized motorsports successes, • The long, cold winters help to create markets in which to do business. as well as highlights of some of the nation’s excellent drivers who are forced to learn This first article of a series on motor- motorsports achievements. vehicle control on ice-packed roads. sports in the Nordic region focuses on • The extensive network of private • Rally racing is enormously popular in Finland. With a population of 5.5 million, gravel roads (primarily developed for Finland, with the Neste Rally annually Finland is considered the northern gate forestry) provides young people with attracting hundreds of thousands of between the east and west and is home to a first-rate, free and plentiful training spectators. The race is famous for its a disproportionate number motorsports ground and challenging terrain that hard-packed gravel jumps and blind world champions who enjoy strong sup- forces mastering control of vehicles. crests, creating one of the fastest and port from the local enthusiastic fan base. Cars typically slide more easily on most thrilling races in rallying. In fact, What makes this country (bordered by gravel than on asphalt, not to mention Finland has the second highest num- Russia, Sweden, the Baltic Sea and the Gulf the bumpiness of the courses. In fact, ber of world rally champions on the of Bothnia) a motorsports standout may be teenagers often are able to begin driv- globe, trailing only France. the Finnish people. The Finnish term “sisu” ing on these quiet private roads before • Racing exists for everyone from literally means “guts” or “intestines,” but it obtaining their licenses, and the gravel amateurs to professionals. Besides 120 semanews.com 03/2021 INTERNATIONAL karting, which provides organized rac- ing for beginners, one of the most popular and fun events is folk racing, which takes place nearly every week- end all over the country. These grass- roots events invite drivers from age 14 and up to participate in inexpen- sive second-hand cars. Attracting driv- ers of all ages and levels of experience, the rules limit the amount that may be spent on the competition cars. To keep everyone honest, there is a special rule that any participant can make a bid on any competitor’s car after a race. The owner of the vehicle is required to sell the car, serving as a deterrent to spend- ing any more than the allowed amount Courtesy of Lena Peres, Speedgroup on the car (typically under $2,000 ››› Finland’s Anita Mäkelä is the reigning FIA European Drag Racing Champion in the Top USD). The spirit of camaraderie is a Fuel category (winning in 2000, 2016, 2018 and 2019). special feature of these events, with drivers willing to help each other, espe- championship and concurrently com- FIA European Drag Racing cham- cially youngsters driving in their first peted in NASCAR, driving for Kyle pion in the Top Fuel category (win- folk races. Busch Motorsports in the Camping ning in 2000, 2016, 2018 and 2019). • Nine Finns have also made their marks World Truck Series. AKK Motorsport, In 2019, she was inducted into the in Formula 1, with four world cham- the Finnish motorsport’s national gov- British Drag Racing Hall of Fame. pionships and 50 Grand Prix wins erning body, recently launched a study In 2021, Finland’s Kauhava dragstrip among them. Most recently, Finland’s into the possibility of Finland hosting (located about 250 mi. northwest of Valtteri Bottas won the 2020 Russian a Grand Prix for the first time. While Helsinki) was added as round three Grand Prix for Mercedes at Sochi. He most rally racers cut their teeth on in the 2021 six-round European Drag followed other racers that included gravel roads, F1 racers typically start Racing Championship, hosting two Keke Rosberg, who won in 1982, out in the country’s well-developed of the series classes: Top Fuel and and Mika Häkkinen, who won the kart racing organizations. Top Modified. 1998 title and successfully defended it • Finland also boasts key wins in the the following year. The versatile Kimi European drag-racing season, which Next month in our continuing series, Räikkönen, nicknamed “The Iceman,” runs from May to September. Fin- we will cover the European Drag Racing also saw success in the world rally land’s Anita Mäkelä is the reigning Series in more depth. Join SEMA for its inaugural SEMA Nordic trip in September 2021. Registra- tion opens in March 2021. The SEMA Business Development Program to Stock- holm, Sweden, includes trade buyers from throughout the region. The program includes low-cost, turnkey events that bring together SEMA-member manufac- turers and buyers from key markets. The price includes hotels, a tabletop display, meals and networking events. 2021 SEMA NORDIC TRIP For more infor- mation on the 2021 SEMA Nordic trip, visit www.sema.org/ Courtesy Miola75/Shutterstock.com ››› Rally racing is enormously popular in Finland with the Neste Rally annually attracting nordic or contact hundreds of thousands of spectators. On the world stage, Finland is the second winningest Linda Spencer at [email protected]. n country in terms of the number of World Rally Champions, trailing only France. 122 semanews.com 03/2021 .