RallySport Magazine and Rally Tours are again pleased to offer a tour to Rally Finland. The 2010 event is based around the city of Jyvaskyla, three hours north of Helsinki and runs from Wednesday July 28 – Saturday July 31.

The Rally of Finland is an iconic event. 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.

The competition that takes place in Finland at the end of July and beginning of August consists of 23 stages, of which 9 will be driven twice. The total special stage distance will be approximately 360 kilometres.

This year, rally organisers are focussing even more on making it easier for spectators to follow the rally. The idea is to put together a route that offers new rally experiences for both the spectators and competitors, and also a route that is easy for the rally fans to follow. One of the factors that make following the rally easier this year, compared to 2008, is that we have more stages that are driven twice.

Rally Finland's jumps are famous!

Wednesday, July 28, we have an organised city tour of beautiful Helsinki with a local guide with a wealth of local knowledge this morning. At 17.00 we meet up with the coach and the rest of the group comprising of mostly English rally Supporters and travel the three hours north to our accommodation at Keuru. This location will be our lodgings for the next four nights.

Thursday, July 29 - Saturday, July 31 - Rally Finland.  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.

Sunday, August 1 - Return to Helsinki. A RallySport Magazine/Rally Tours group dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Monday, August 2. “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 medieval 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 medieval 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 Martin's 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 return flight the next morning.

The remainder of the group staying over in Helsinki will stay at the Bonus Inn 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 some minor details may change depending on operating conditions. Up dated information will be forwarded to those who have expressed interest in this tour as it becomes available.

Tour Costs:

1.     The Rally Tour Helsinki to Helsinki $NZ2900.00 Twin Share (approx. AUD$2320 as at 29/1/10).
(from Wednesday 28th July to Sunday 1st August) Add $NZ350 for single supplement

2.     The Estonia Day Tour Option. (Monday 2nd August) $NZ450.00 (approx. AUD$360 as at 29/1/10).

3.     Additional B&B Hotel Accommodation at the Bonus Inn. $NZ 275.00 Twin Share (approx. AUD$220)
(May be required on the Tuesday night) $NZ 225.00 Single (approx. AUD$180).

4.     RallySport Magazine can quote on airfares to Finland (or elsewhere in Europe) to suit your travel to and from the tour. (We work closely with a licensed Australian travel agency to offer you the best fares.)

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 28th July.

7.     Packed Lunches for the 3 days of the Rally.

8.     Rally Tours Souvenir polo shirt for Rally Finland.

9.     Group dinner on Sunday night at the Bonus Inn.

10.   Visit to a Works service team.

Estonia Day Tour Inclusions:

1.     Taxi transfers to and from the ferry terminal.

2.     Return Ferry travel to and from Estonia.

3.     Guided coach and walking tour of Tallinn City.

4.     Lunch at a medieval restaurant.

For more information or to register your interest, please email or phone Carolyn on 0427 215590.