MINI Motorsport discusses the "meticulous preparation" undertaken by the MINI WRC for the Rally Finland. The article also explains the complexities and difficulties that will encountered along the rally route:
The technical department of the MINI WRC Team has done a good job of ensuring that [drivers] Dani [Sordo] and Kris [Meeke] have two well-prepared cars. No easy task, particularly in Finland. The Rally Finland has certain perils that make a complex technical set-up of the car essential. On the one hand, the many jumps demand harder suspensions with a larger spring travel. On the other hand, the car should lie as low as possible in the corners and have good balance in order to be able to use maximum traction.
"Not many teams have found the right combination for Finland in the past," says Finland expert and Mini legend Rauno Aaltonen. In order to find the right formula for Finland, Aaltonen is working closely with the MINI WRC Team and will be available in a consultant capacity during the rally.
Another challenge is the rally's profile, which features a combination of fast sections, some tight corners and many spectacular jumps. In addition, six new special stages are planned for this year. For this reason, the organisers have scheduled three days for the route inspection and co-drivers Carlos [del Barrio] and Paul [Nagle] met on-site last Friday to evaluate the key sections of the 1355-kilometre rally.
