Last winter FRC rally will be driven 29.2 in Joensuu. 166 drivers will participate to traditional Easter Finland rally roads. Many drivers from abroad is also with and try to challenge Finnish drivers in fast and technical special stages.

Almost all drivers from FRC series will be in Itäralli, seems that only Eerik Pietarinen is missing. In Itäralli there is also Finnish Junior Championship class, Finnish Cup class and additional classes

Local drivers to FC 1 class will be famous Rallycross driver Toomas Heikkinen (Joensuu), who will drive 4wd VW Polo R5 car. Toni Lauronen (club K-KUA) will participate with brand new Skoda Fabia R5 EVO and Vesa Hirvonen with Ford Fiesta N5 -car. Vesa’s own car can be also seen in Itäralli, as VIP- car, driven by 1981 Rally World Champion Ari Vatanen. Markus Hassinen will drive with new N5 car, first time in Joensuu, Kia Rio 4wd N5. 

22 drivers and 30 co-drivers from Joensuu club (Joensuu Urheiluautoilijat Ry) is big number of local stars!

We are very happy to have an international star, from WRC series, Irish Greig Breen driving in Itäralli. Mr. Breen is coming with MRF Tyres Team Hyundai i20 car. He has experience of 66 WRC rallies, last 7th place with Hyundai WRC in Rally Sweden just week ago. Also great performance has been 3rd place in Neste Rally Finland 2016, so fast Finnish roads should fit well to him.

In FRC class 3 we will see 2 times European Rally Cross Champion, and Rally Cross World Champion bronze medalists, Latvian Reiniss Nitiss. He will drive with 2wd Ford Fiesta R2.

Unfortunately planned Super Special Stage 6 in trotting track is cancelled, because the last days heat wave in Joensuu area (as in whole Finland). But all other Special stages are in good icy condition and can be driven as planned. Price giving ceremony will be changed from Trotting track to Joensuu market Place, in City center

SM Itäralli Media / Timo Louhelainen