Finnish Junior Rally Champion Miko Jalava to join ERC Junior – “A dream come true”
Finnish Junior Rally Champion of 2022 Miko Jalava is set to compete in Junior ERC in 2023. Jalava will be competing with the Czech team Sparrow Racing’s Ford Fiesta Rally4.
The reigning Finnish Junior Rally Champion Miko Jalava, 26, joins the ERC in 2023, Competing in the ERC Junior category. Making his international debut, Jalava is set to compete with the Sparrow Racing Team Ford Fiesta Rally4. Co-driving the Fiesta is Riikka Hokkanen, 35.
-We’ve been hard at work for the past few months, and I signed the deal a week ago in the Czech Republic. It’s a great feeling to be able to share the news about the next step in my career. We still have a lot on the to-do list from this moment to the first event, but the most important part is done, those being registering an entry for the championship and finding a car. ERC has been gaining a lot of momentum recently, and thus we made the move, Jalava explained.
Showing an impressive pace with rear-wheel-drive Toyotas, Jalava moves to front-wheel-drive machinery for ERC. After a visit to the Czech Republic and short tests, the impressions from the car and the team are only positive.
-We had a chance to try the Rally4 a bit on the Czech tarmac, and it felt easy to drive and competitive. There’s a lot to learn with the new car, but luckily the first three events are gravel rallies, which is more familiar to me. Sparrow Racing Team had a positive impression on me. They have experience in hundreds of events and are truly professional and it shows too. I'm happy to be working with them, Jalava said.
Whilst having a lot of experience with many different series and rallies Jalava hasn’t competed outside of Finland. The Finn from Mäntyharju wishes to extend his gratitude to his cooperation partners and those supporting him throughout his career.
-A massive thank you for everyone who has been a part of this project. Without their wide and lengthy support, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to compete in ERC. They have always pushed me forward and I’m thankful for it. Competing in ERC is a dream come true for me, and a great opportunity for the future, Jalava said.
ERC Junior -series is held over six rounds, three of which on gravel and three on tarmac. Five out of the six best results are counted.
ERC Junior calendar 2023:
1 79th Rally Poland 20 - 21 May
2 Tet Rally Liepāja 17 - 18 June
3 Royal Rally of Scandinavia 7 - 8 July
4 Rally di Roma Capitale 29 - 30 July
5 Barum Czech Rally Zlín 19 - 20 August
6 IV. Rally Hungary 7 - 10 October
Photo: Sparrow Racing Team
