The rally legend was supposed to drive a Toyota Yaris WRC car in Mikkeli this weekend.
Rally legend Tommi Mäkinen won’t even drive in Mikkeli this weekend. Sami Salmela
Rally legend Tommi Mäkinen has canceled his driving duties in the weekend’s Mikkeli SM Rally.
The four-time world champion was supposed to drive the so-called 0 car in the opening race of the SM rally season. It drives through the route just before the competitors. With the help of the 0 car, it is ensured that the special test can be passed safely.
Toyota Yaris WRC was planned as a driving game.
However, in the press release published by the Mikkeli SM Rally, it is said that the car was not roadworthy.
– The suspension had to be sent to France for maintenance, and I wouldn’t have had time to test the car with the new suspension, Mäkinen says in the press release.
In the release, Mäkinen also admits that he made a classic “calendar mistake”.
– Regarding the schedule, it was my own carelessness that I didn’t have time to take care of everything. This is a really unfortunate thing, Mäkinen regrets.
The opening rally of the SM season will be held on Saturday, January 17. Esapekka Lappi defending the championship with Skoda. In addition to the World Championship competitions, he also drives Hyundai in selected World Championship rallies.