Latvala Motorsport
Contests 2002 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007World Championship ralliesNetwork Q Rally Great Britain 14.-17.11.2002Co-driver Carl Williamson. "Aamulehti" newspaper: "The youngest Finnish sixth former of all times who has participated to world championship rally goes through morningīs special stages so enthusiastic that he doesnīt have time to eat his lunch. Roads are awfully slippery. Sometimes there is grip, but when I try to increase speed, problems turn up and I am near to go off the road. It is difficult to drive, when I donīt know where I can drive fast and when not, explains Latvala. Young man seemes simply eager, but admits that maybe also tension affects to his driving. First world championship rally is really something special for a rally driver. One puncture, 2 broken drive shafts, a few needless spins and on second last stage troubles with gear changer. Yet 17th in this thrilling rally. (yes !)." "Aamulehti" newspaper: "According to Airikkala, Latvala has excellent contact for driving, but he has yet a lot to learn. Young man has intensive and versatile timetable for next year." 17th overall, Class A8 17th Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6,5 four-wheel drive, group A as rally car. International ralliesDee Jays Cambrian Rally, gravel rally 2.11.2002Co-driver Carl Williamson. Gasket burned from exhaust pipe and darkness caught us (we didnīt get extra lights in time). Regardless first and second place to Finland; Mikko Hirvonen 1st and me 2nd. Motorsport News: "With Burton hitting trouble, Latvala was on hand to capitalise and claim second overall by a margin of four seconds. We had to keep an eye on the temperature gauge because we had to drill a hole in the front of the bonnet to fit the light pod and it seemed to upset the airflow into the engine and radiator," said the rising Finnish star. "But apart from that, everything went quite well." 2nd overall, Class B13 2nd Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6,5 four-wheel drive, group A as rally car. South of England Tempest Stages, gravel rally 26.10.2002Co-driver Carl Williamson. On special stage two I was third overall, but on third stage differential lock broke down and I was forced to quit. retirement SS3 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6,5 four-wheel drive, group A as rally car. Bulldoc Rally, gravel rally 19.10.2002Co-driver Carl Williamson. Bad luck kept on. Again came up electrical faults, this time before the start. retirement SS1 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6,5 four-wheel drive, group A as rally car. Trackrod Rally, gravel rally 28.9.2002Co-driver Carl Williamson. Contest started splendid but it stopped at the beginning of 3rd stage due to electrical fault. "I was third overall, when I had to retire. In contest there were drivers from England, Germany, Italy and Ireland". Newspapers in England wrote: "Finnish sensation shows he is world class." retirement SS3 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6,5 four-wheel drive, group A as rally car. Kansalliset rallitThe Tempest Clubman Stages, gravel rally 27.10.2002Co-driver Carl Williamson. p>On previous day car broke in international rally but the car was fixed during the night. Ten special stages. I led the rally whole time and I won with almost three minutes. I even set fastest time on one stage included international contest, even I drove 100 numbers behind. Motorsport news: "A 17-yaers-old Finn, Jari-Matti Latvala, got his international career off to a sensational start on the Tempest Clubman's Stages. Under the watchful eye of Pentti Airikkala, Latvala won the event by an incredible 2 min 43.1 sec over a distance of 42 stage miles." 1st overall, Class 5 1st. Mitsubishi Lancer EVO6,5 group N, four-wheel drive. Plains Rally, gravel rally 21.9.2002Co-driver Carl Williamson. My first rally with four-wheel drive. It was very dusty through the rally. On two last stages we had gearbox troubles and motor temperature was a bit too high, but I managed to drive to the finish line. Motorsport news: "After two stages promising Finnish youngster Jari-Matti Latvala set third fastest time and moved up to fourth overall, revelling in the increased grip from his Mitsubishi Lancer E6. Latvala continued to impress finishing sixth". 6th overall, Class B13 5th Mitsubishi Lancer EVO6,5 group N, four-wheel drive. The Acorn Rally, asphalt rallyi 1.9.2002Co-driver Carl Williamson. Big problems through the rally. Nevertheless last to the finish. 85th overall. Citroen Saxo, S16, front-wheel drive. Mewla National Rally, tarmac rally 24.8.2002Co-driver Carl Williamson. Contest went well all day. Just before the last special stage I was 15th in overall and I was leading my class. But on final stage motor fell to pieces. Misfortune continued. retirement SS8 Group N, front-wheel drive Renault Clio as rally car. Sea King Stages, tarmac rally 18.8.2002Co-driver Carl Williamson. On stage three, I cut and hit chicane, when lower control arm twisted and made a hole to gearbox. I only just get to the finish of that stage. On next special stage the oil flowed on to exhaust pipe and it caught fire. But luckily it rained and fire went out. I reached to the finish of stage four retirement SS5 Citroen Saxo, S16, front-wheel drive as rally car. Quinton Stages, gravel rally 27.7.2002Co-driver Steve Harris. Troubles with gearbox, gears were missing and clutch was slipping. Finally on stage six, clutch broke down completely and I was forced to retire. retirement SS6 Rally car: Renault Clio, group N, front-wheel drive. Jim Clark Clubman Rally, asphalt rally 14.7.2002Co-driver Steve Harris. Car was repaired but breaks not. We drove the event only with front brakes. Motorsport news: "The young Flying Finn, Jari-Matti Latvala, was back for more heroics after his previous day's adventures, finishing third in class and tenth overall in his Renault Clio". 10th overall, Class S5 3rd Rally car: Renault Clio, group N, front-wheel drive. Jim Clark Memorial National Rally, asphalt rally 13.7.2002Co-driver Steve Harris. My first rally in tarmac and first rally, where I could learn the route beforehand. I had tremendous problems through the whole rally. Left rear bearing broke and that caused loosen wheel. We didnīt surrender, so we drove to finish with only three wheels. Motorsport news: "Drive of the day. Jari-Matti Latvala twice lost a rear wheel on his Clio when the bearing collapsed. But the fearless Finn reached service each time and won his class despite road penalties. A star is born." 48th overall, Class S5 1st Rally car: Renault Clio, group N, front-wheel drive. Coracle Stages, gravel rally 30.6.2002Co-driver Steve Harris. Crazy overtakes in the dust. I passed 5 cars and I set day`s fastest time in front-wheel drive. Motorsport news: "Finnish youngster Jari-Matti Latvala had an good run on only his third rally in britain, as he and Steve Harris took their Gp N Renault Clio to a class win.". 9th overall, Class 6 1st Rally car: Renault Clio, group N, front-wheel drive. Dukeries Rally, gravel rally 22.6.2002Co-driver Steve Harris. I had to stop due to driving off the road on fifth stage. I tried too hard. Motorsport news: "He is a very highly regarded talent back in Finland and has really come over here to get his licence and acquire some experience," said team principal Richard Aquith. Retirement SS5 Rally car: Renault Clio, group N, front-wheel drive. Scottish Rally, soraralli 9.6.2002Co-driver Steve Harris. My first ever special stage 30 km. Punctures, tyres were changed in stage. Internet note: Driver announced: "I have just done my first ever special stage". He seemed delighted. 38th overall, Class S5 1st Rally car: Renault Clio, group N, front-wheel drive. |
Jari-Matti |