What comes to mind when thinking about Rally Talsi?

Jānis Vorobjovs: “Rally Talsi was my first summer rally, and I associate it with a good atmosphere. After the winter season, this is always a much anticipated event, as it serves as a return to rallying. I enjoy Rally Talsi, and would like to thank both Rally Talsi godfather Ēriks Vīksna, and Raimonds Strokšs who took over from him and made Rally Talsi an anticipated, exciting event for both competitors and spectators.”

Which is your favourite Rally Talsi stage?

JV: “I really enjoy all the Rally Talsi stages. There have been some less than ideal elements and special stage fragments, such as a metal jump, but overall I like all the stages very much.”

What are your goals and expectations for this year’s Rally Talsi?

JV: “As always, I expect a good atmosphere, and am looking forward to meeting all my friends at the rally. I am also looking forward to seeing smiling women at the stages.”

What do you think of the Rally of Champions tradition?

JV: “I think that it is a great tradition and it should definitely be continued. However, I believe that it should be continued only in the class it was made for originally – group N4. Then the battles would be fair, which is possible only when all drivers have similar cars.”

What are your plans for this rally season?

JV: “Our goal is to focus on rally being a great way to spend the holidays. With that, it does not make a difference what car I drive and in which class we compete – regardless of the car chosen, I will always try to fight for a podium spot in my class, and possibly the overall classification.”

Rally Talsi winner, multiple time Latvian rally champion and Latvian master of motorsports – Jānis Vorobjovs has such extensive experience that lots of facts must have been forgotten. Before the start of Rally Talsi 2018, we invited Jānis for a quick memory game which you can also take part in – read the question and, before reading further, try to come up with the correct answer!

Which year did Jānis Vorobjovs begin competing in rally?

Jānis Vorobjovs: “My first rally was at the end of 1992.”

How many times has Jānis Vorobjovs competed in Rally Talsi, if we include 2018?

JV: “I am not sure, could it be sixteen times? If it is not sixteen, then it might be… (deep breath)… twenty – definitely. No, probably the twenty one time.”

Answer: Jānis Vorobjovs has taken part in every Rally Talsi since 1998. Rally Talsi 2018 will be Jānis’ twenty first event in the Talsi region.

How many different cars have you driven in Rally Talsi?

JV: “In Talsi, I have competed in an Audi Quattro, Opel Ascona B, Subaru Impreza, many generations of Mitsubishi Evo and Mirage. There was also a Toyota Celica. What have I forgotten? Oh, right, how could I not remember my little Citroen Saxo!!! (laughs).”

Answer: In the past twenty years of Rally Talsi, Jānis Vorobjovs has competed in ten different rally cars – Audi Quattro (1998); Toyota Celica (1999); Subaru Impreza (2000; 2002); Opel Ascona B (2001); Mitsubishi Evo VI (2003); Citroen Saxo (2004); Mitsubishi Evo VIII (2005; 2006); Mitsubishi Evo IX (2007-2010; 2013); Mitsubishi Evo X (2011; 2012; 2014; 2015; 2017); Mitsubishi Mirage (2016).

How many co-drivers have you had in Rally Talsi?

JV: “In Talsi, I have competed with: Agris Piegāznis, Edgars Zveja, Ints Marcinkēvičš, Džo Labuckas… I did not compete in Talsi with Līga Kalnača (currently Stirna). Then I had Guntis Ervalds, Guntars Zicāns, Andris Mālnieks, and I have also competed with Ivo Pūķis. Who have I forgotten?”

Answer: Jānis Vorobjovs has had ten co-drivers in Rally Talsi. The only ones he missed are Aigars Štelfs and Artūrs Žeibe.

How many class victories do you have in Rally Talsi?

JV: “I don’t know! If I had to guess, I would have to say eight or nine times.”

Answer: Jānis Vorobjovs has won his class six times, in 2000; 2002; 2006; 2008; 2012 and 2014.

How many times have you won the overall classification of Rally Talsi?

JV: “I don’t remember! At least once.”

Answer: Jānis Vorobjovs has won the overall classification twice – in 2006 and 2012.

How many times have you won the Rally Talsi Champions Cup?

JV: “Twice.”

Answer: Jānis Vorobjovs has won the Rally of Champions cup twice – in 2012 and 2015.

Concluding the brief memory game, Jānis Vorobjovs adds: “Rally Talsi has another record in my rally career – the most wheels I have damaged in a single event. When competing with Guntis Ervalds, we had an event with five damaged wheels. And all five were so damaged that pieces fell out of them.”

You will be able to hear more interviews with competitors on the Rally Talsi rally radio – Kurzemes Radio 106.4 FM – which will follow all the action and provide interviews from the stages beginning from 8:30 on Saturday, May 19.

Rally Talsi would not be possible without our supporters, so we would like to thank the rally city of nine hillocks – Talsi, sponsors Neste and Talce / SC Grupa, as well as the official car rental Sixt. We would also like to thank our supporters Canon IB Serviss, Krauzers, Ramirent, and Swecon. Thanks to our media partners Delfi, JCDecaux, Kurzemes Radio, Talsu Vēstis, and Zebra, for their informative support. The event would also not be possible without our rally friends – Alfa SLS, Dardedze Hologrāfija, Esi Draugs, Flora, FN Serviss, MeFab, Meža Dārzs, Red Bull, Sportland, Törley, Venden, and the Latvian Automobile Federation.

More information about Rally Talsi: www.rallytalsi.lv and http://autorally.lv. News and other information about Rally Talsi can also be found on social media: Twitter @RallyTalsi, Facebook /RallyTalsi, Draugiem.lv /RallyTalsi, and YouTube /RallyTalsi.

Jānis Unbedahts, Media officer, RA EVENTS. Photo: RA Events / MVFoto