Jari-Matti Latvala has the opportunity to celebrate the championship this weekend. Notes in the rally are already being read by the fourth different map reader of the year.
Jari-Matti Latvala and Janni Hussi will not ride together on the weekend. Pál Bence / Bence Photo
Jari-Matti Latvala will fight for the rally European championship this weekend.
Latvala is driving to victory in the season finale of the EM Historic rally series in Portugal’s Fafe rally. The fourth map reader of the season is already sitting next to the Toyota Celica, when the sheet music is being read Topi Luhtinen.
Where Janni Hussi?
– He is in Japan at the same time Takamoto Katsuta in the front car group. Even before the start of the season, it had been agreed that things would be done on Takamoto’s terms, Latvala says.
Hussi forms Katsuta’s front car group Juho Hännenen with. He has also read sheet music to Latvala.
– We agreed that in such situations I will be the one who looks for a new map reader. A similar situation, where Janni and Juho are both in other jobs, was already experienced earlier this year, Latvala reminds.
A familiar man
For the competition in the Czech Republic in April, Latvala was given notes Tuukka Shemeikka. So now it’s the fourth different karttur of the year.
– Apparently it’s not easy to get carters to commit for the whole year, Latvala laughs.
The 31-year-old Luhtinen is a familiar man to Latvala, even though this weekend’s race is the duo’s first together.
– Topi previously read sheet music for a Japanese member of Toyota’s junior program. But his program ended in the summer and he had to return to Japan. The top was left free, so to speak, Latvala says.
Luhtinen has read notes to Latvala in the tests, so absolutely zero cooperation will not start.
– We already know each other quite well. Topi is a really outgoing and relaxed guy who does his job professionally. I have a confident and good feeling going into this rally, says Latvala.
Championship available
Latvala has a chance to win the Historic rally series championship this weekend. With Huss, three victories were accumulated this season. AOP
Luhtinen jumps aboard Latvala in a tight spot. Latvala has a chance to win the series championship.
– With a win, the championship will surely come, otherwise you have to count. The six best results of the season are calculated for the final results. I have four victories, but the rest of the games have ended in interruptions due to technical problems, Latvala reminds.
The driving tactics for the championship are clear.
– Let’s go for the win. It’s the easiest, then you only have one thing in mind, and you don’t have to start calculating. Now it’s important to find the same driving rhythm as in the previous race in Asturias, says Latvala.
Latvala dominated the Asturias rally as he wanted.
There are still three drivers fighting for the championship. Latvala is aware that the greatest interest and therefore the pressure of the pre-favorite is directed at him.
– I’m not excited, but this is really interesting. I haven’t raced in a series or fought for the championship in a long time, it’s nice to experience it again.
Latvala admits that passion tends to take control at times. So the new map reader has another important task inside the Celica in addition to the sheet music.
– When the driver is a bit like this case, who doesn’t necessarily always stay very calm, it’s important that the map reader is cool. It calms me down too, Latvala says.