Kimmo Jalava tells Iltalehti what happened in Germany in 2010.
Craig Breen died in a test accident in April. PDO
The death of rally star Craig Breen in a test accident shocked the rally world in April.
The tragic fate of the sympathetic Irishman brought back unpleasant memories Kimmo for Jalava.
An experienced rally driver had an almost similar accident in Germany in 2010. Jalava recalls the terrifyingly ended Sachsen rally to Iltalehti.
A post made of glass through
Competing abroad was a familiar task for multiple Estonian champion Jalava. For the one sitting next to reading sheet music To Janne Fermi on the other hand, no.
Today, Ferm is a household name Esapekka Lapin as a map reader.
– It was supposed to be a learning trip for Janne, but it was supposed to be the last trip, Jalava describes.
The accident happened during the fourth special stage of the race.
– The car went out of control and threw volts. The fence post came through the side glass from Janne’s side twenty centimeters in front of our body, Jalava tells about the terrible accident.
The seriousness of the situation didn’t even cross the driver’s mind right away.
– At first I thought that the safety bar of our car had broken. Then I saw that the metal pipe was completely rusted, Jalava describes.
Janne Ferm reads notes to Esapekka Lap. In 2010, he had a terrible accident. Hyundai Motorsport
The two were lucky. Unlike Breen.
An Irishman died in a similar accident. A wooden fence post penetrated the Hyundai’s cabin through the driver’s side window.
According to Hyundai, Breen had a speed of only 33 kilometers per hour at the time of the accident.
– He had outrageously bad luck in the situation, Jalava sighs.
– The driver is strapped in so tightly that he can’t dodge, even if he sees what’s coming his way, says Jalava.
A plastic bag of rubles
The scary exit experienced in Germany showed the wrong side of the rally.
However, Jalava has many more memories of a different kind.
Instead of Finland, Jalava headed to Eastern Europe. Estonia, Russia and even the Soviet Union were familiar competition destinations.
– They were quite adventures. Those stories would make a good book, Jalava laughs.
While driving in Estonia, Jalava saw the development of the state after it got out from under the yoke of the Soviet Union.
– In the beginning, there was always a plastic bag of rubles with which to pay for the accommodation. You had to bring gasoline with you, Jalava describes the wildest years.
“Elm, don’t drive the chicken”
Kimmo Jalava reaped success in Estonia. Kimmo Jalava’s home album
Recently, the collision between the rally and the animal kingdom has been on display.
Jalava has experience in this as well.
Now you can’t blame the animals. It was Jalava that invaded their territory.
– Once in the Saaremaa rally I drifted wide from a corner. I went through the wooden fence straight into the farmyard and into the puddle. The pigs and chickens shied away. Fortunately, none of the animals got their wings, mud mud stopped Starlet, Jalava describes.
At the following year’s rally, the spectators remembered the Finnish drivers with a funny cheering sheet.
– Kimmo Jalava, don’t drive the chicken.
Starlet is passed down from father to son
The turn of the next generation. Miko Jalava continues in his father’s footsteps. Kimmo Jalava’s home album
The car racing traditions of the Jalava family are maintained by the next generation.
26-year-old Miko Jalava competes in the European championship series in the junior class.
– Mikko’s first steps were the same as Kalle Rovanperä. He was able to drive from an early age. The story remained the same until the age of 15, Kimmo Jalava describes.
In addition to the last name, father and son are also connected by the game of racing.
– Miko won the 2021 amateur rally championship with the same Toyota Starlet that I used to win my four championships in Estonia, Kimmo Jalava reveals.