Jari Huttunen was chosen among the 16 HMDP candidates last year and together with Antti Linnaketo he is competing in selected rounds of the WRC2 class in 2018, driving a Hyundai i20 R5.

Jari Huttunen's background is karting and in 2013 he started participating in rallies. From there he has competed in the Finnish, German and FIA European Rally Championships. In 2017 he won Rally Finland in the WRC 2 category. In 2018 Huttunen and Linnaketo have made three WRC2 starts. The pace has been good but due to different problems the results were not as good as hoped. In Sweden and Mexico they were 6th in WRC 2 and in Portugal 12th.

Jari Huttunen said: “I am really looking forward to Rally Estonia. After the new challenges of the events in Mexico and Portugal it will be nice for Antti and me to get onto some more familiar style roads in preparation for Rally Finland. My main aim at the moment is to gain as much time behind the wheel as possible to continue to gain experience in the Hyundai i20 R5. Working alongside Hayden Paddon and the WRC team I am sure I can also learn a few things from them about their approach both in, and out, of the car. Rally Estonia should give me a great opportunity to get into the rhythm needed for these fast gravel stages before Finland and, of course, give me a chance to put on a show for the Finnish fans that make the trip to Estonia.”

Hyundai Motorsport Team Manager Alain Penasse: “Jari’s entry to Rally Estonia is an important part of his Hyundai Motorsport Driver development Program (HMDP) campaign for this year. As soon as he was selected to join us we began an intensive plan to help him fulfill his potential as a world class rally driver. Within this the stages of Rally Estonia are the perfect preparation for Rally Finland, and the event will give him another opportunity to gain mileage in the Hyundai i20 R5 on the surface, without any concerns about the WRC2 points and championship. With Hayden Paddon also entered in Estonia in our current WRC car the event is also a great chance for Jari to work closely with our factory team, giving him a similar feeling to the World Rally events he is aiming for in his career.”

Urmo Aava, director of Shell Helix Rally Estonia: “We are very pleased that Hyundai Motorsport is coming to Estonia with two cars. It is good to see next to Hayden Paddon and Seb Marshall with Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC also HMDP drivers Jari Huttunen and Antti Linnaketo with Hyundai i20 R5 car. The fast stages of Shell Helix Rally Estonia should be suitable for last year’s Rally Finland WRC 2 winners. Now we're also expecting many rally fans from Finland visiting Estonia and our event.”

The official opening and award ceremony will take place in Tartu, the second biggest city in Estonia. Tartu is an entertainment centre of Shell Helix Rally Estonia and the main artist of the official concert is Russian superstar Nyusha. Otepää which is known as a winter resort offers great opportunities for the technical centre of the rally. Service park and HQ are located in Otepää at Tehvandi Sport Centre. Besides Tartu, Elva hosts another Super Special and the gravel stages in South-Estonia are considered as the best in the country.

Shell Helix Rally Estonia held on 13-15 of July is a round of Estonian and Latvian rally championships and FIA European Rally Trophy.

Shell Helix Rally Estonia rally passes are on sale in online store on www.rallyestonia.com and in all Circle K stations all over Estonia.

The official opening and award ceremony will take place in Tartu, the second biggest city in Estonia. Tartu is an entertainment centre of Shell Helix Rally Estonia and the main artist of the official concert is Russian superstar Nyusha. Otepää which is known as a winter resort offers great opportunities for the technical centre of the rally. Service park and HQ are located in Otepää at Tehvandi Sport Centre. Besides Tartu, Elva hosts another Super Special and the gravel stages in South-Estonia are considered as the best in the country.

Shell Helix Rally Estonia held on 13-15 of July is a round of Estonian and Latvian rally championships and FIA European Rally Trophy.

More information > www.rallyestonia.com

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