Sometimes drifters become rally drivers, and here we have the latter case. Ville Kaukonen, a well-known drifter in Finland and beyond, has made a unique entry in rally history and his CV this winter.
So why did the professional drifter tackle one of the most challenging snow rallies in the world? Vilius Šaltenis from Samsonas Motorsport is talking to Ville Kaukonen.
So, first of all, how does the drifter become a rally driver?
I’ve been drifting for 9 years and thought that I needed to try something different in the wintertime since I have some free time. I have been an interviewer at SM rallies, so I thought the next thing would be to drive a rally car.
Why Arctic Lapland Rally?
There are easier events to start with Arctic Lapland rally was chosen as the rally because it’s the best winter rally and it has been praised by everyone, for example, Janne Ferm and Teemu Asunmaa. Also, when you do something big (social media, YouTube, announcements) you can’t choose a small rally so that the partners and the project get as much visibility as possible. My style is to do everything big and not small!
How did Teemu Suninen end up in your BMW?
Teemu is crazy enough and has had enough time. I found him at the Driftmasters finals in Poland and invited him to our VIP box where I asked if Teemu would like to join this project and thankfully he joined, I could not imagine a better co-driver who can also teach me how to drive.
How was the Arctic Lapland Rally? Was it more difficult or more straightforward than you expected?
Arctic rally was just what I expected. I’ve had discussions with different drivers about what would come, i.e., days would be really long, there would be a lot of driving, and a big number of the roads are paved, so the only surprise was that in a rally, you are always in a hurry. But it was an incredible experience, just like I’ve been told! It was a really big experience.
Three things you learned from this weekend
I will not be a Finnish top rally driver. In a rally, you are always in a rush. You’re in a hurry to the starting point, at the checkpoint, to eat, to refuel, at every stage. There are also general things in a rally event: registrations, schedules, rules, etc.
Tell us more about the BMW car you drove.
Arttu Asunmaa BMW E36 325i. Samsonas Motorsport h-pattern gearbox, Reiger suspension kit. About 220hp
How and when did your relationship with Samsonas Motorsport begin?
I chatted with Samuli Saarimaa about gearboxes and what I should use since I’ve had problems with the old one. He then said to go with Samsonas RS90. He called Jukka Hara (Dogbox OY) and introduced me to Jukka. From that point on, our cooperation with Jukka and Samsonas started.
Any chance of seeing you in a rally car again?
Yes! If we can get the budget together, I think you’ll see me at the Arctic Lapland rally next year. Of course, if someone wants to see more, it’s only a matter of time and money. Drifting takes most of the time and money, so it’s challenging to find the time and money for a rally.
