A day off the stages with the World Rally Champions – DirtFish

“Kalle’s time to play now,” he said. “I can’t help him with this. Maybe it’s time for some refreshments…”

And Rovanperä plays hard, like he has all year. Hitting golf balls, drifting cars, driving buggies and enjoying Unibet’s hospitality, in the late summer sunshine in Estonia, Lamia, round 10 and the fierce fight for the right to succeed Rovanperä feels a world away.

“I don’t think about it so much now,” says the champ, on the smoke’s cleared. “I’m quite happy with that – it’s what this year is about. The chance to do some different things. Time for a ride?”

Moments later, the Supra’s on its lock stops, we’re at the most ridiculous angle I’ve ever been in in a car. Forget the side window, I’m on the verge of using the rear-view mirror to see where we’re headed. The noise is nuts, the smoke is insane and the laughter totally infectious.

Did the team win the Sami Välimäki Unibet Invitational? No. Did they have fun? Er, yeah.

Great day. Big thanks to Unibet and a grande kiitos to Kalle, Jonne, Miro and Arttu.