Mikko Heikkilä, 32, will drive in the World Rally Championship next season. The goals are set high, but there is also a dose of realism in the speeches.
Mikko Heikkilä rolled up his sleeves and collected funding for the season in the World Rally Championship. The goal is to succeed. PASI LEISMA
Mikko Heikkilä will compete for medals in the WRC2 class next season.
The 32-year-old from Nurmijärvi, who has focused on the EC series for the past two seasons, will drive in six World Series competitions in the coming season. On the World Championship stage, the program includes the Swedish Snow Rally in February and the European Gravel Races.
Heikkilä competes with a former rally driver Toni Gardemeister in the ranks of the TGS team he runs.
Heikkilä is happy with this season’s plans. You had to work hard for that.
– After all, this is a really big project financially. It took a lot of work to put this program together. In that sense, the tough autumn is behind us, Heikkilä admits.
Money returns
Heikkilä competed in Toyota’s Rally2 fleet last season. This year, below is the Skoda Fabia. Hannu Rainamo
Six races in the WRC2 category easily means several hundred thousand expenses. So it’s clear that you don’t jump behind the wheel of a Skoda just to say hello.
– Let’s go for World Championship medals. That’s the goal, says Heikkilä.
The Finn also has a bit of realism in his expectations.
– When you can collect points from seven races, and we now have six races in the program, it’s a bit disappointing from the point of view of the championship.
– It is also worth remembering that there are big Teams and genuine factory drivers. You have to try hard to be able to give them a hard time over the course of the season. But individual victories and good performances are meant to be snapped up. And you never know how things will develop, says Heikkilä.
Yes, the championship will come if you win all six races…
– Well, that’s at least clearly calculated, Heikkilä laughs at the thought.
– Even though my self-confidence is high, it’s not enough to reach that level.
To be known to the people
Heikkilä is a familiar name to rally fans, but unknown to the general public.
Heikkilä is not sorry that the media focuses on the rally Kalle Rovaperää, Sami to Pajar and other “top giants”.
– It goes without saying that the biggest stars get the most attention. But yes, my partners have expressed that they are satisfied with their visibility. The situation could always be better, but I do understand why the situation is like this.
In Pajar’s footsteps
Maybe the situation will change if Heikkilä does well in the coming season. It could also help get a foot in the door for Toyota.
Although the Japanese brand is “Suomen rallytalli”, Heikkilä has no connections there.
Heikkilä doesn’t mind the idea of him following in Pajar’s footsteps.
– Without a doubt, Toyota would be interested in cooperation. It’s a great professional team, both for the Rally1 and Rally2 car. After all, it is some kind of goal to be able to drive in that team as a professional, Heikkilä admits.