Mikko Heikkilä is competing in his second WRC event of the season, this time on the fast gravel roads of Latvia. The stages around Liepaja area are to the Finn’s liking, and he has a good amount of experience of them from previous years.
Mikko Heikkilä and co-driver Kristian Temonen are competing in the Latvian round of WRC, Tet Rally Liepaja. A newcomer to the WRC, the Latvian event has been a stable in ERC for many years, with Heikkilä competing in the event three times previously. Driving the Step Five Motorsport-prepared Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, Heikkilä’s local knowledge will be put to good use on the fast gravel stages around Liepaja.
-Some of the stages should be familiar to us from previous years, at least partly. If Estonia was fast then here it is at least as fast. The fast and grippy roads here are to my liking, which keeps the mood quite high, Heikkilä explained.
Rally Liepaja has been treating Heikkilä well previously, with the Finn making his international debut in the event back in 2020 and scoring a maiden ERC podium on his FRC championship-winning season of 2022.
-We’ve competed here in ERC a few times, and I suppose there is some kind of advantage there. We’ve often found ourselves driving international rallies for the first time, so this time it’s the other way around for our advantage, Heikkilä said.
Tet Rally Liepaja wasn’t initially included in the Toyota driver’s calendar for 2024. Thanks to strong support from Heikkilä’s co-operation partners, the Finn is seen on the starting line on both Latvia and next month’s WRC Finland.
-WRC Latvia came as an addition to our schedule, and it’s great to be able to drive here again. A big thank you for all those who made this event possible, Heikkilä thanked.
Tet Rally Latvia is held from 18th to 21st of July in Liepaja, Latvia. The rally consists of 20 special stages and 300,13 special stage kilometers. The event is streamed live via Rally.tv.
Tet Rally Latvia itinerary
Thursday 18.7. – 11,13 km
20:05 - SS1 Biķernieki Track (11.13 km)
Friday 19.7. – 120,92 km
10:00 - SS2 Milzkalne 1 (4.99 km)
10:45 - SS3 Tukums 1 (27.56 km)
12:00 - SS4 Andumi (17.86 km)
14:30 - SS5 Milzkalne 2 (4.99 km)
15:15 - SS6 Tukums 2 (27.56 km)
16:30 - SS7 Strazde (17.44 km)
17:20 - SS8 Talsi (20.52 km)
Saturday 20.7. – 104,00 km
08:20 - SS9 Pilskalns (18.87 km)
09:35 - SS10 Snēpele (17.52 km)
11:30 - SS11 Īvande (23.04 km)
13:05 - SS12 Vecpils 1 (12.64 km)
16:15 - SS13 Podnieki (10.09 km)
17:05 - SS14 Vecpils 2 (12.64 km)
19:00 - SS15 Dinsdurbe (6.64 km)
20:15 - SS16 Liepāja City Stage (2.56 km)
Sunday 21.7. – 64,08 km
08:55 - SS17 Krogzemji 1 (18.70 km)
10:05 - SS18 Mazilmāja 1 (13.34 km)
11:55 - SS19 Krogzemji 2 (18.70 km)
14:15 - SS20 Mazilmāja 2 Power Stage (13.34 km)
Comments