Ouninpohja a final treat for Rally Finland spectators
- 6th February 2025, 9:21am
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by RallySport Magazine
- Photos by Peter Whitten, Supplied
Those joining RallySport Magazine’s 2025 Rally Finland spectator tour are in for a treat, after the announcement that the famous Ouninpohja stage will conclude the event.
The world famous stage, with its big jumps and spectators in the tens of thousands, will be the Power Stage for the rally, to be held from July 31 to August 3.
The route for the 74th running of Rally Finland will be typically Finland.
“Designing the route is balancing between several factors. The most important considerations are safety and sporting integrity, but of course, we also aim to create a great experience for both on-site spectators and TV production,” explained Clerk of the Course, Kai Tarkiainen.
Last year’s route was a dream for both drivers and fans, but now it has been made even more thrilling with the addition of a couple of legendary special stages. And there’s an even bigger surprise from the magic hat: the entire Sunday is dedicated to the world’s most iconic stage, Ouninpohja. This day is so special that it deserves its own name – Ouninday!
The rally kicks off on the Thursday of the rally week with the traditional Harju Super Special Stage in Jyväskylä.
Friday’s route remains largely similar to last year, including the legendary Ruuhimäki, famous for its spectacular jumps leading into the finish. Ruuhimäki will also serve as the shakedown on Thursday, making it a hot spot for action across two days.
Saturday is traditionally a day for flat-out rallying, and this year is no different.
“We originally planned only minor tweaks to last year’s route, but once we laid out the maps, half of it ended up changing!” laughed Deputy Clerk of the Course, Kari Nuutinen.
The crown jewel of this year’s rally is, without a doubt, Ouninpohja. Named as the world’s most demanding, this monster of a special stage will, for the first time in WRC history, have an entire rally day dedicated to it – Sunday will be all about Ouninpohja.
Ouninpohja will be run twice on Sunday, and as the Power Stage it promises to be one of the wildest finales ever seen in WRC history.
For spectators, Sunday has been designed for maximum convenience. Fans can arrive early, soak in the legendary atmosphere of Ouninpohja’s forests and Kakaristo’s open fields, and settle in for an unforgettable rally experience.
The podium ceremony will take place in Kakaristo, ensuring that everything Sunday (or rather, Ouninday!) has to offer is centered in Jämsä’s legendary Ouninpohja.
“We wanted to find a way to make this legendary stage as accessible as possible for fans, and we believe this is the perfect solution.
“There’s plenty of space along the stage, giving fans time to find the best viewing spots and enjoy the entire day. It also makes providing services much easier,” added Clerk of the Course, Kai Tarkiainen.
