Vetomies Rally

Vetomiehet are coming again! The hugely popular side event of Finland’s WRC round, Secto Rally Finland – the Vetomies Rally – will be held on Friday and Saturday, August 1–2. In the competition, drivers will battle for the Vetomies and Nelivetomies titles.

The legendary Vetomies – the main event of the season for many driver pairs – is the competition they absolutely must take part in. Competing alongside the World Rally Championship event, in front of massive crowds, is for many a more attainable dream than participating in the WRC itself, and that is certainly one of the reasons for the event’s lasting popularity.

Originally, the competition was run exclusively with rear-wheel-drive Group F cars like Ford Escorts, Opel Asconas, or Toyota Starlets. Nowadays, the most popular car is probably the 1990s BMW M3 or 325. In addition to older two-wheel-drive vehicles, there are also four-wheel-drive cars that no longer have classes in the WRC. These four-wheel-drive vehicles typically compete domestically in the SM5 class of the Finnish Rally Championship or in the four-wheel-drive class of the F-Cup Rally Series.

The king of the two-wheel drives is crowned with the Vetomies title, and the top four-wheel driver receives the Nelivetomies title. In addition, there are V1600 competitors, whose cars are closest to stock, equipped with engines under 1.6 liters. This group typically competes in the SM4 class or in the V1600 class of the F-Cup. V1600s compete alongside the two-wheel drives, but the fastest V1600 driver is awarded separately.

The Vetomiehet will drive on Friday, August 1, tackling the special stages of Laukaa 1, Saarikas 1, Myhinpää 1, and Ruuhimäki 1 after the WRC drivers, and will wrap up the day with Harju 2, just before the WRC stars.

The second day of the competition, Saturday, August 2, features four more stunning special stages. As on Friday, they follow the WRC schedule, driving Parkkola 1, Västilä 1, Päijälä 1, and finally Leustu 1.

The Vetomiehet service area and start are located in Killeri, while the finish is near the WRC rally headquarters at the Paviljonki, where the Vetomies prize ceremony will also take place.