25.1.2012 Mikko Pajunen to Lapland with Tommi Mäkinen's advice
Mikko Pajunen is ready for the Arctic Lapland Rally which starts on Friday. The Finn from Jyväskylä drives in Tommi Mäkinen Racing's four-wheel drive Subaru, and faces a challenging task. The weekend brings an arctic challenge of 10 stages and almost 800 kilometers around the Arctic Circle.
- It's an interesting situation. I start third on the road order. It's nice to drive behind someone else and see a little bit where you're going, says Pajunen.
The two drivers in front of him are Esapekka Lappi and Juha Salo, the duo who leads the championship. Especially Salo is always good in the Arctic Circle and will drive with only victory in his mind. But for Pajunen the approach is slightly more cautious.
- I've driven here only once before, and there aren't many roads that are familiar from that trip. You need to think differently to a one-day race. I'm not going to start by attacking, but by looking around to see what's happening and what kind of times we get. We can always adjust our speed once the race is on, thinks Pajunen.
Pajunen will test his Subaru and Pirelli tyres still on Thursday. His preparations have been helped a great deal by the maestro himself, Tommi Mäkinen.
- I have hardly any experience of this rally. It'll be interesting to see how the dynamics work in a longer rally like this. You need to stay on track for two days, ponders Pajunen.
Text: Miiro Koivula
Photo: Jani Kekoni
Official website of Arctic Lapland Rally
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