Visit to the Jari-Matti Latvala Museum

Starting from Jyväskylä, it takes an hour and a half to drive to Tuuri, which is located to the west of the host city of the Finnish event. It is in this commune that the Latvala family stronghold is based. This is where Jari-Matti grew up and it is quite naturally there that he decided to open a museum in 1. His dad Matti was a pilot and he continues to race for 30 years, so suffice to say that Jari is immersed in this environment since his earliest childhood. Throughout his career, he has always amazed with his great knowledge of his sport. During a discussion with him, it was possible to talk about results from the 2013s, anecdotes from the Gr A era or stories that happened with the last WRC. This is felt in the building in which he tries to bring together the cars that have marked his career, but also objects relating to legends of his sport.

Jari Matti Latvala owns a Chrysler Avenger identical to the one driven by Henri Toivonen in 1976 (Loïc Rocci)

Il y a notamment un espace dédié à Henri Toivonen qui était l’idole de Latvala, ainsi que des éléments ayant appartenu à Marcus Grönholm ou d’autres Finlandais volants. Toutes les voitures exposées ont une histoire que celui qui est à la tête du TGR se fait un plaisir de raconter. Une Chrysler Avenger identique à celle de Toivonen en 1976 est présente comme son Audi Quattro ou encore la Golf GTi reçue de Volkswagen après un titre. La Mitsubishi Lancer WRC2 (2002) de François Delecour est une pièce rare et ce dont le gourou des lieux est le plus fier, c’est d’avoir rassemblé toutes les Toyota courant depuis 1988 jusqu’à la Yaris WRC.

JML in front of François Delecour's Lancer WRC2, holding the broken radiator in his hands during his memorable road trip in Poland 2015 with the Polo (Loïc Rocci)

There are also pieces which all come from one of the many accidents which marked the Finn's career. Upstairs, the trophy gallery is spectacular with everything that can be found in the world of rally, from overalls to helmets, stickers, caps, miniatures... There is something for everyone and it doesn't stop there. Recently fitted out, a workshop adjoins the museum at the rear. It is in this lair that 4 people work on the cars used by the Latvala family during historic events. For some time now, customers have also been coming to have their vehicles serviced or prepared. Often on the move, JML has entrusted the management of the place to his parents who provide a warm welcome.

The workshop accompanying the Jari-Matti Latvala museum

As for Jari-Matti, he never misses the opportunity to sit in the left seat to offer some thrills to his guests at the wheel of a Celica that looks like a toy between his gloves. Unpretentious, but with a huge dose of passion, this museum is definitely worth the trek to Tuuri.

Jari-Matti Latvala demonstrated his attacking skills with this 1992 Celica (Loïc Rocci)