Drivers will compete against each other on a specially constructed stage. They will be required to complete two laps, totalling 1.65km, and will drive modern WR Car machinery.
The event is part of the build up to Neste Rally Finland (31 July-3 August) and has been organised to elebrate the 20th anniversary of Neste’s sponsorship of the fast gravel event.The list of modern day stars taking part includes homegrown heroes Jari-Matti Latvala, Mikko Hirvonen and Juho Hanninen, as well as world champion Sebastien Ogier, Citroen’s Mads Ostberg and Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville.
They will go head-to-head with world championship-winning Finnish legends Markku Alen, Marcus Gronholm, Juha Kankkunen and Tommi Makinen. Kankkunen will also drive a Gp B Audi Quattro S1 dating back to 1985 before the competitive action gets underway.
Alen, who recorded much of his WRC success when he drove for the factory Lancia team in the 1980s, is predicting a fierce battle. He said: “Every time you drive against the clock, the pace picks up. You always give it your all.”
Each driver will tackle the course twice and their quickest time will be carried forward to decide who is the fastest in the ‘stars’ and ‘legends’ driver categories.
The fastest driver from each will go into the head-to-head final for the chance to be crowned the Neste Oil Rally Helsinki Battle Champion.
Citroen team principal, Yves Matton, said: “Finland is a rally country and we feel we have to be present to celebrate the event in Helsinki. We have done similar shows in the past and with great success. I am convinced this year will be even better with various drivers from different countries.”