“Yes horribly”, Janni Hussi says as his first thought to the question, how does it feel to go as a map reader in the World Rally Championship in the WRC2 class.
Right after, Hussi points out that it’s not about being afraid.
“You just have to be a little excited to be worthy of Lauri.”
Lauri is just like a native of Sasta Lauri Joonawho is the WRC3 class champion of the 2022 World Rally Championship and the bronze medalist of this season’s World Rally Championship.
Next season, Joona and Hussi will drive a full series in the WRC2 class, which practically means at least seven races out of the thirteen races of the season. The WRC2 races are run at the same time as the main class WRC.
In addition, as “practice”, the duo will drive the Central European World Rally Championship this year, i.e. on the last weekend of October.
“A challenging asphalt race is expected, wet, dark and leaves and everything in between,” says Hussi.
Janni Hussi has been in eleven rallies as a map reader.
Other for example Hussin, who worked as a presenter the jump to the World Series happens very quickly, as he has been a map reader in eleven rallies so far.
His first real rally experience is from last year, but once before he was on the Jyväskylä World Rally Championship demonstration run.
“I was screaming next to it and thought that now we’re all going to die.”
As Joona’s karter, Hussi has been in two EC rallies this past summer. Hussi is still amazed at how things have progressed so quickly.
“This kind of thing doesn’t happen. Yes, you have to pinch yourself sometimes, still. I am extremely grateful that Late believed in Muhu and dared to take me on board.”
To be precise, Huss was supposed to be Joona’s karter in one race already a year ago.
“Late said that the car broke down or he didn’t dare to take me for a ride yet,” Hussi says and laughs.
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“No car doors have been opened. Yes, I can get there myself.”
to the World Cup participation also means that being a carter becomes Huss’ main job. He emphasizes that preparation for the Games starts well in advance.
“It’s not just that we go next door to chat. There’s enough paper work and excels,” says Hussi.
“There are also many things that cannot be prepared for in advance.”
This was the case, for example, in the summer EC rally in Italy, where you also had to drive in the center of Rome.
“The center of Rome is not the easiest to navigate,” Hussi points out.
It happened and happened in Italy anyway.
“We also had a few ‘situations’ in Italy, there was a tire change and the knobs and coils were about to burn – for me, but not for Lauri.”
“You got this kind of experience there,” Joona adds.
Whether this is the duo’s next season’s car or something else, remains a mystery.
All all in all, Hussi feels that his career as a map reader has gotten off to a good start. He has been well received in the rally world.
“Everyone I’ve worked with has been incredibly well received. In order for me to develop and learn, I have to ask a lot. I have never once had the feeling that they think I’m stupid.”
At the same time, he emphasizes that he doesn’t need any special treatment either.
“No car doors have been opened. Yes, I can get there myself.”
Hussi has considered the most challenging thing to be that he has the nature of a competitive athlete, so accepting failures is difficult.
“If there’s even one mistake, I’ll beat myself up quite a bit. You should also give yourself a bit of a leash.”
Instead, according to Huss, family and friends have reacted “quite well” to the rally patterns.
“Friends and family are used to the fact that it’s not even worth trying to keep up. The movements are that fast and spectacular.”
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“We want to use the money that comes in for driving.”
To Jonah WRC2 is not a leap into the unknown, as he has driven a few WRC2 races this season with next season in mind.
According to him, the difference between WRC3 and WRC2 is not terribly big.
“WRC3 is also a four-wheel drive car, but WRC2 cars are old-class WRC cars that existed ten years ago. These are perhaps even faster. Much progress has been made in development.”
Joona’s car this season, a Skoda, was at Thursday’s media event. Will it also be run next season?
“Negotiations are still ongoing, which equipment will be driven”, Joona answers enigmatically.
It is also about the budget, which is collected from the partners.
“You can’t get rich with this. We want to use the money that comes in for driving,” says Hussi.
Joona has a clear goal for next season.
“Winning is always in mind. A three-pack in the series is quite a realistic goal.”
And immediately Monte Carlostako season opens?
“I don’t think we’ll start there yet,” Joona says, and Hussi laughs next to him, because Monte Carlo is known to have very challenging conditions.
The Swedish rally is likely to be the duo’s first race of the 2024 season.
Lauri Joona and Janni Hussi plan to participate in at least seven World Cup rallies next year.
Janni Hussi says that he has been well received in rally patterns.
Lauri Joona sets the goal of placing in the top three in total points.
Read more: Surprise bet: Janni Hussi is going to the World Rally Championship