The FIA World Rally Championship Neste Rally raced in Central Finland on 27–30 July drives home the message of fair sports. The event participates in the campaign for clean sports that holds the Golden Baton as its symbol.
The campaign for international sports events organised in Finland is part of the activities of the Finnish Center for Integrity in Sports (FINCIS). Neste Rally was challenged to join in the campaign by a shotgun derby held in Orimattila, a town in the Päijänne Tavastia region.
“We took up the Golden Baton for promoting clean sports from the figure skaters, and now we are passing it on to motor sports competitors. At the same time, the baton passes from juniors to adults. It’s great that different teams are involved in our joint campaign for fair play. This is sports at its best,” says Pertti Könönen, the chairman of Orimattila sports shooting club who is in charge of the youth shotgun derby in the Orimattila region.
“We are proud to be part of the joint efforts for fair play. In addition to clean sports, this year we are also strongly highlighting support for junior sports and promoting the message of traffic safety,” says Jani Backman, Promoter at Neste Rally.
FINCIS’s Clean Win information stand will be at the Neste Rally competition centre in Jyväskylä Pavilion on 28–29 July, from 10:00 to 19:00. Spectators can vote for the driver who is the best messenger of fair play and have chance to win baseball caps signed by the top drivers. You can also get a temporary flag tattoo on your cheek. At the information stand, drivers from the highest possible rally series, the World Rally Championship, will sign an appeal on behalf of clean sports and fair play. The appeal will be put on display.
The Neste Rally has become globally famous for its fast gravel tracks, the spectacular leaps through the air and the magnificent lake scenery. The event is one of the largest annual spectator events in the Nordic countries, and has one of the largest numbers of participants in the World Rally Championships. This year, Finland’s Neste Rally races in front of the crowd with 25 exciting special stages. This is already the 67th time Jyväskylä will host this rally event, which is organised by AKK Sports Oy.
More information:
Jani Backman
AKK Sports Oy – Neste Rally Finland Promoter
tel. +358 40 522 4346
Susanna Sokka
FINCIS Information Manager
tel. +358 40 740 7477
Internet: nesterallyfinland.fi