5.2.2025
Secto Rally Finland: Sunday Renamed – It’s Now Ouninday!
With the event having been run 73 times, one might think everything has already been tried—but not quite!
– 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, explains Clerk of the Course, Kai Tarkiainen.
The event will be packed with highlights in the up coming summer. 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!
From the Harju Spectacle to the Backroads of Finnish Summer
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: the morning begins in Laukaa, with its familiar special stage being run in the same format as in 2024. From there, the rally heads to Äänekoski and last year’s new addition, Saarikas, but with an exciting twist—it will now be driven in reverse direction.
– This change has allowed us to introduce better parking areas for spectators, increase viewing spots, and make the stage more accessible. We also believe the drivers will enjoy tackling it in this direction, says Tarkiainen.
From the Äänekoski region, the rally continues to Myhinpää, which has also been revised: the start location has been moved, improving parking and services for fans.
The fourth stage of Friday’s loop is 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.
After the midday service, all four special stages are run a second time, before heading back to Jyväskylä for another pass through the Harju Super Special Stage in the evening.
A Full-Throttle Saturday
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!, laughs Deputy Clerk of the Course, Kari Nuutinen.
The day starts with Parkkola, a stage that has been run in various formats over the years. It includes the iconic Mäkelä road, which Nuutinen and many others consider one of the finest rally roads in Central Finland.
From Parkkola, the rally moves to Västilä, which remains unchanged from last year, followed by Päijälä. Then, the rally heads towards Leustu, near Korpilahti, which has been reworked with multiple new sections that haven’t been used in the WRC era (since 1997).
The midday service will once again take place in Jyväskylä, Paviljonki Service Area. In the evening, these four special stages will be re-run. The cars will return to Paviljonki for evening service and the overnight regroup at around 8 p.m.
Sunday is Now Ouninday
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. And since renaming things is all the rage, we’ve jumped on the wagon: from now on, Sunday in Secto Rally Finland is officially called Ouninday!
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 first passage of the stage kicks off at around 10:00 AM, and the second run, acting as the Power Stage, will bring the rally to an exciting conclusion in the afternoon.
And the action doesn’t stop there—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, reflects Clerk of the Course, Kai Tarkiainen.
5.2.2025
Secto Rally Finland: Sunday Renamed – It’s Now Ouninday!
Kuva: McKlein