Neste Rally Finland 2011

Tour Itinerary.

Rally Tours are again pleased to offer a tour to Rally Finland. The 2011 event is based around the city of Jyvaskyla, 3 hours North of Helsinki and runs from Thursday July 28th to Saturday 30th.

The Rally of Finland is an iconic event which is as popular as Rugby is in NZ. The fast flowing forest roads, the jumps and the multi-national spectator crowds make this a truly unique world class Rally and quite different to what we experience in Australia or New Zealand.

Our tour starts in Helsinki, the coastal capital of Finland when the group meets at the Bonus Inn Hotel close to the Airport on Tuesday 26th July. Most flights from Europe, London and Asia tend to converge on Helsinki around mid afternoon.

On Wednesday morning the 27th July we have an organised city tour of beautiful Helsinki with a local sightseeing operator. At 17.00 we meet up with our coach and the rest of the group comprising of mostly English and Australian Rally Supporters and travel the 3 Hours North to our accommodation at Keuru. This location will be our lodgings for the next 4 nights.

Arrangements will be bed and breakfast with daily packed lunches for the 3 days of the Rally. A full itinerary and Rally Pack will be issued which will include maps and a Rally programme.

Thursday 28th July. For the duration of the Rally Finland we are hosted by Rally Travel UK Ltd and will join up with the Rally Sport Magazine group from Australia. This year due to our specific requirements and tour numbers we will likely be travelling in a small coach alongside the main group with the flexibility to adjust the program to spend more time with Australia’s FIA Academy representative Brendon Reeves and our own PWRC top runner, Hayden Paddon. Rally Tours will have our guide John Kilpatrick working alongside the “Rally Travel” organisers to ensure we see as much as possible. The final itinerary will be confirmed on a daily basis.

This morning we travel to Shakedown to watch the priority 1 cars practice near Jyvaskyla. In the afternoon there is an opportunity to check out the amazing “Pavijonki” Service Park and the way the Rally Circus operates on a European WRC round. During the afternoon a driver’s forum will take place at the event HQ hotel. In 2010 we were able to fire questions at Mika Hirvonen, and Jarri Mati Latvala and we are hoping that Hayden Paddon will again get the opportunity to stand alongside these guys from M Sport. The forum is hosted by North 1 TV’s Julian Porter.

An optional visit to either Ford MSport or the Team Solberg service area will be a highlight of the tour. However a visit to check out “Team New Zealand” and PWRC representative, Hayden Paddon is compulsory and Hayden will host us at his team service area. This will take place on the Shakedown day and we will again try to replicate this visit during the event at one of the service breaks. Tonight’s Ceremonial Start is 16.00 and followed by 3 traditional stages around the Rally host city of Jyvaskyla. Stage 3 “Laajavuori” was traditionally the shakedown stage which is on the outskirts of the city. This involves a bit of a walk up a ski field but the viewing is spectacular. Dinner is at own arrangements tonight.

Friday 29th July. Is the first day of the rally proper. The draft Rally Finland program has been released but as yet Rally Travels are still to complete their reccee of the viewpoints and will announce a program in due course. Looking at the maps so far provided by the Rally organisation, the first few stages on Friday (stages 4 to 11) are in South of our hotel at Keuruu and will feature SS4 Hassi 1 SS5 Evo 1 and SS6 Hyvanuela 1. These are new stages not run in several years. This year a remote midday service at “Lahti” is a feature of the event. A visit to the final service in Jyvaskyla to witness an action packed end of day service will be a must.

Saturday 30th July. An early start this morning will ensure a chance to view more of Rally Finland’s famous stages. Looking at the map the choices are likely to include some stages used in previous years which could include Surkee 1, Leustu 2 or Urria 2. The Rally this year finishes on the Saturday near Jyvaskyla with the “power stage” Isojarvi 2 and every attempt will be made to get to the podium finish especially if our NZ and Australian supporters have something to celebrate. This is Rally Finland’s 61st event and the Rally’s traditional after Rally street party is as iconic as the event itself, and as usual Jyvaskyla will turn it on! We intend to be there to enjoy the end of rally celebrations.

Sunday 31st July. About mid- morning the coach departs Keurusselka for Helsinki, arriving back at the “Bonus Inn Hotel” hotel in central Helsinki early afternoon. Those planning to depart Finland this afternoon can be dropped directly at the Airport. The afternoon is free with plenty to see and do in the city. Just relaxing and catching up on needed sleep is also an option. A Rally Tours group dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Monday 1st August. “Optional day trip by fast ferry to Estonia” Since we are so close to the Russian continent a day trip to Tallinn the capital of Estonia seems like a good idea. Enjoy a fast 3 hour ferry ride from Helsinki to experience the contrast of modern Tallinn and the old medi-evil city of years gone by. It is important to take our passports and proof of health insurance. This is an experience you will not forget in a long time. Lunch is in a traditional medi-evil restaurant eating pork bones and sipping mulled wine. The serious part of the visit it to pay respects to the late Michael “Beef” Park, Estonian, Marco Martins co-driver tragically killed in Rally GB in 2004. We stop briefly to observe the monument erected on the Tallinn waterfront in his honour. If you need to fly out of Helsinki later in the evening we can have you back at the airport in time to do so but recommend a flights be scheduled for the next morning. The remainder of the group staying over in Helsinki will stay at the “Bonus Inn Hotel” and the accommodation cost will be additional to the tour cost. This is an indication of the Rally Finland itinerary based on previous tours and information available at this time. A detailed Rally Itinerary will be available as soon as it is finalised. Up dated information will be forwarded to those who have expressed interest in this tour as it becomes available.

Tour Costs: This year’s tour to Rally Finland has been designed around following our NZ PWRC Driver, Hayden Paddon in his quest to show the world what he is capable of. Consequently we are catering to several different travel requirements and have designed a modular itinerary to suit Hayden supporters. This also involves different pricing structures.

Rally Tours are also pleased to announce that as part of our continued support for Hayden and Team have a special supporter’s price package.

1. The Rally Tour Helsinki to Helsinki $NZ 3099.00 Twin Share.
   (from Tuesday 26th July to Sunday 31st July) Add $NZ 380 for single supplement
   
   
2. The Estonia Day Tour Option. (Monday 1st August) $NZ 400.00
   
   
3. Additional B&B Hotel Accommodation at the Bonus Inn. $NZ 300.00 Twin Share (May be required on the Tuesday night 2nd August) $NZ 300.00 Single.
   
   
4. TEAM GREEN SUPPORTERS SPECIAL DEAL - $NZ 3299.00 (Twin Share)
   This includes the Day Trip to Estonia valued at $NZ400.
   
   
5. Rally Tours can quote on airfares ex NZ to suit your travel to and from Helsinki.

Payment:

Reservations need to be confirmed by May 30th to guarantee accommodation and coach seat availability with a $NZ 1000 per person deposit. Balance of payment is required June 30th 2011.

Call Jennie Paul at the Rally Tours office on 09-2989793 or email jennie@rallytours.co.nz to reserve or discuss options.

Tour Inclusions:

1. All land transport from Helsinki to Helsinki.
2. Services of a Rally Tours Guide / Tour Escort.
3. All Rally Finland Tickets and Rally passes.
4. A Rally Finland Rally Pack of maps and a programme.
5. Bed and Breakfast Hotel Accommodation for 7 nights.
6. City Tour of Helsinki on Wednesday 27th July.
7. Packed Lunches for the 2 days of the Rally.
8. Rally Tours Souvenir polo shirt for Rally Finland.

Estonia Day Tour Inclusions:

1. Taxi transfers to and from the ferry terminal.
2. Return Ferry travel to and from Estonia on a fast ferry.
3. Guided coach and walking tour of Tallinn City.
4. Lunch at a medi-evil restaurant.