According to a media statement from the event's organizers, the change happened because they were unable to agree with the authorities of Jyvaskyla on the Thursday asphalt running.
Also, this year's Rally Finland will only spread through 2 days of action (Friday and Saturday), the first of which will consist of 10 stages. The second and last day of action in Finland will include only 9 special stages, after which the organizers have prepared a party in the service park, known as Stage 20.
“Our new concept spreads the rally over three days. We start on Thursday evening with our legendary opening stage, Laajavuori, which has served in this purpose some 20 times,” said a spokesperson from Rally Finland, according to Autosport.
“This year the stage will carry even more meaning than ever, as it will be used as a decider for the starting order for Friday morning. The ten fastest drivers will choose their positions in the ceremony held right after the finish of the stage. The rest will start in the order of the stage classification.”
“Friday and Saturday will be long days, reminding our competitors of what rallying used to be. We will be offering our competitors and spectators alike some of best rally roads in central Finland, our route including legendary stages like Urria, Jukojarvi, Myhinpaa and Leustu. In total, we are well above the FIA minimum of 300 stage kilometres.”
"Some of the biggest changes to our event can be seen in our service park at Jyvaskyla Paviljonki area. Team areas will stay much the same as before, but our services to the spectators will increase dramatically with the introduction of the new areas closer to the waterfront. Friday and Saturday evenings there will be live entertainment on 'Stage 20', our huge concert stage in the harbour area," added the spokesperson.
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