Sami Pajari and co-driver Enni Mälkönen are set to compete in their third World Rally Championship event at the helm of a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid starting this Thursday, as the Central European Rally gets underway.
The rally, taking place across the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria, will present the pair with new challenges, as they navigate autumnal asphalt conditions in top-tier machinery for the first time.
Having made its debut last year, the three-country rally has undergone several changes for the 2024 edition. The event’s hub, previously located in Passau, Germany, near the Austrian border, has been relocated to Karpfham, 30 kilometers southwest of Passau, due to venue availability. As for the route, organizers have reworked several stages, reversing directions and incorporating new sections that weren’t part of last year’s rally.
“We had a solid day of testing in the Czech Republic and it left me with a positive feeling,” Pajari commented. “The morning was wet, while the afternoon was dry, so we got a good sense of both conditions. The roads were narrow and dirty, which I expect we’ll encounter a lot during the rally, particularly on the Czech stages.
”Reflecting on the performance of the car, Pajari added, “The car felt really good to drive—actually a bit easier than I had anticipated, given the increase in power and speed compared to my previous asphalt experiences. Of course, extracting all of that power effectively won’t be easy, but the engineers have certainly done a fantastic job creating this car.
”The rally kicks off on Thursday in the Prague area with a shakedown stage in the morning, followed by the official start and opening stage in the afternoon. Competitors will then head south to Klatovy, where a second stage will be held before the overnight halt. In total, Thursday’s stages cover just over 14 kilometers.
Friday’s schedule includes six stages in the Klatovy region and further southeast, with a total of 110 competitive kilometers. In a unique logistical challenge, though the main service area is based in Germany, teams will travel to the Czech Republic for a remote service during the day. By nightfall, competitors and their cars will return to Karpfham in Germany.
Saturday features another six stages, with two crossing into Austria, adding 123 kilometers to the competitive tally. The rally concludes on Sunday with four final stages covering 54 kilometers, bringing the total distance across all 18 stages to 302.5 kilometers. The last stage is set to start at 13:15 local time on Sunday.
“A lot has changed in terms of the route and schedule,” Pajari noted. “I believe these adjustments will improve the overall practicality for us competitors. However, the nature of the stages themselves likely remains the same.
”Pajari emphasized the learning curve of this event, stating, “For us, it’s about driving smart and pushing within reason. We’re still gaining experience, as we have in the previous two rallies in the Rally1 class.
”With just over two weeks since the last round in Chile, the tight schedule has left little time for rest between races, especially with travel and testing commitments.
“Recovering from the time zone difference hasn’t been much of an issue for me,” Pajari remarked. “Other than that, it’s been a typical autumn—enjoying the colors of the season and even finding time to watch a bit of rally. I’ve been able to recharge my batteries quite well in the short break between events.
”This Central European Rally marks an important step in Pajari and Mälkönen’s continued progression in the WRC, as they aim to build on their Rally1 experience in what promises to be a demanding and exciting event.
Sami Pajari Rally
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