Jari-Matti Latvala tells about the meeting that delighted the rally crowd.
Jari-Matti Latvala bumped into acquaintances in a grocery store. Mikko Huisko
When two people bump into each other in a grocery store by chance, what is the probability that both of them will be stars of the rally world?
When you are in Finland, the probability is much higher than anywhere else. Such a funny commotion happened a couple of weeks ago, when Jari-Matti Latvala bumped into completely by accident to Marcus Grönholm in the middle of a shopping trip.
– I was grocery shopping on Friday in Keski when I noticed a tall guy walking into the store. I thought that it looks just right From Boss. And it was him, Latvala recounts the events.
After recognizing his rally colleague, Latvala went to greet Grönholm.
– When he saw me, he exclaimed that “no joke, the first person I see in the whole place is you!” Latvala laughs when he remembers the encounter.
It turned out that Grönholm had arrived with his wife for the first time to admire the Keskinen village store in South Ostrobothnia. Latvala is of course familiar with the local store, but by a twist of fate they happened upon Finland’s largest village store at the same time.
The story was enough
After a short grappling session, Latvala invited Grönholm to visit his own rally museum the next day. The couple arrived the next day.
– Yes, time was spent there. Many good stories were told, Latvala says.
Grönholm also has his own rally museum at his home in Inkoo. Latvala is interested in making a return visit there in the future.
Latvala was very happy about the meeting.
– Bosse was a role model for me in my first years of driving. In 2007 I drove in Ford’s second team, Marcus was then Ford’s number one driver. I tried to observe and learn as much as possible about what he did, Latvala says.
Grönholm won two rally world championships and 30 races in his career. Latvala won 18 World Cup rallies in his career, finishing second in the World Series three times.
The meeting between Latvala and Grönholm has also received international attention, when the Dirtfish rally website reported about it on social media.