The fact that the brothers Neiksans are participating in the Neste Oil Rally Finland, is nothing new, but for the first time in this competition starts both – Andis and Maris – at the same time. Previous in the legendary rally participated by only one of the brothers.
Story by Līga Stirna
Picture by Aigars Laurinovičs
Current Latvian Rally Championship leaders Andis Neiksans/Peteris Dzirkals will have 73 starting number, while Maris Neiksans/Raivis Jansons on his Mitsubishi Lancer EvoIX stick number 80. It is significant that as far back as the year 2004 exactly with starting number 80 LMT rally team debuted in World Rally Championship – then a Ford Puma Super 1600 car drove Maris Neiksans/ Edgars Utans.
Brothers have approximately the same experience in Finland: Maris has been started here twice (2004 and 2007), but Andis – three times (2005, 2006 and 2008). Last year, Maris enjoyed Finnish roads twice – first in March, he started the Latvian Rally Championship round in Joensuu, and in August took part in the Pirelli Star Driver Shoot-out event in famous Ruuhimakki special stage.
This year’s Neste Oil Rally Finland promises to be of special race. Entry List sees 102 crews, of which 81 will start with all-wheel drive cars what is new world championship record! 15 drivers will represent the most powerful WRC cars, while 65 crews will compete in Gp N4 along with two Latvians.
“It is clear that this year’s Rally Finland will highlights competitions in which we have ever participated in,” says Andis Neikšāns. “This will be the real world’s best rally drivers get-together. Beside WRC drivers there will be leading WRC-S, P-WRC and Pirelli Star Driver participants, as well as IRC overall leader [Juho Hanninen]. In our Gp N4 only will start 65 crews! Clearly, it will be fantastic high achievement, if we can penetrate even the TOP 10 in this class.”
“This year our team goes to Finland with both crews,” says Maris Neikšāns. “It means that we can go faster, just thinking about driving, not only how to reach the finish. The list of participants is fantastic – I’ve never had such a competition! It will be interesting to look at our results. I have not started the WRC since 2007 when took 3rd place in Gp N4. It is clear that this year will be unrealistic to repeat this achievement.”
– Credit: www.rallybuzz.com