AUTOSPORT's rallies editor David Evans turned up early for Rally Finland to take a ride around the 1000 Lakes roads with the man tipped to be the country's next big thing, 23-year-old Jarkko Nikara

It's the Wednesday before Rally Finland and I'm driving to Jarkko's place. Jarkko being Jarkko Nikara – rallying's next big Finn. He's the fastest of the five Pirelli Star Drivers and tonight, he's my chauffeur through the woods. But Jarkko's place is taking some finding. It is, quite literally, in the sticks.

Having trundled up the E75 at the regulation 110kmh, I've turned off one of Finland's north-bound trunk roads and am now watching the roads get smaller and smaller with each junction. Until, bang. The sealed surfaces are done, we're on the dirt.

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