Start ‘em young, right? That’s what they did with the promising Kalle Rovanperä in the World Rally Championship. He was out tearing up stages at the top level in 2017, at the age of just 16. Now, at 20, we see a first-person view of his experience testing in a Toyota Yaris WRC at the 2020 Monza Rally.
Video: Kalle Rovanperä's wild WRC ride
It’s a real eye-opener, of just how fast these guys are and just how dialled into the car they need to be. It’s like the video is playing in fast-forward, as Kalle dispatches the Italian countryside with surgical precision. Our brains can’t keep up just watching it. To contemplate attempting that pace, well, it’s like contemplating open-heart surgery. Imagine being co-driver Jonne Halttunen, having to calmly turn pages as they go through pace notes, without getting lost in the scenery warping around them.
The lessons here? As above, A) start ‘em young and B) if you think you’re quick, chances are you’re not. Not by comparison to Kalle Rovanperä, at least.
Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a mid-morning helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: Anything can race on this Aussie street circuit

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