Tomiya Maekawa explains what it’s like to co-drive for Jari-Matti Latvala after the pair won last weekend’s Historic Acropolis Rally together
Sitting next to Jari-Matti Latvala at the start of the Historic Acropolis Rally was something very special. I was nervous, but this was an incredible opportunity to co-drive this legend on such an event.
I was co-driving for more than 10 years at home in Japan when I first saw the news about the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC Challenge Program. I had no doubt to try to become involved – this was definitely the best opportunity to build my career and to become a professional. From when I was a child, I was watching the sport and I was so impressed by the performance of the legendary Japanese manufacturers in the World Rally Championship. It was then I started to dream to compete in rallying.
I have been competing with Jarkko [Nikara], mainly in the Finnish Rally Championship. From my first ever day in Europe, he provided me very strong support based on his massive experience. The good thing is that he is a very flexible guy, so I feel no stress alongside him – he’s very easy to ask, or to discuss everything about how to be better. It’s sometimes not only about rallying, but also general behavior or even daily life stuff.
Maekawa has spent a lot of time, in and out the car, with Jarkko Nikara
Before moving from my home in Japan to Finland, there was some anxiety, but thanks to the huge support from everybody involved to this program I could feel quite comfortable already since the beginning. Experiencing the different culture, environment and life is really enjoyable for me. Honestly? Every day is so exciting.
But the biggest thing is how I can concentrate completely to the rally. This is something special. Compared to living in Japan, I’m surrounded by motorsport – being here in Finland makes it easier to belong in rallying.
If I mention about the life outside of rallying, I like the Finnish environment, the weather and nature. From spring to autumn is really comfortable for outdoor activity, but maybe through the winter it is a little bit cold and dark!
Back to talking about competing with Jari-Matti, we drove together for the first time in Tuuri Ralli in Finland earlier this year and I was so pleased he was asking me to co-drive again in Greece.
Like I said, I was nervous, maybe a bit too nervous, and it made the way I was reading the notes a little bit too ‘stiff’. Controlling my mental condition is one of the biggest areas where I want to improve myself.
Adapting his pronunciation of words is an area Maekawa is looking to improve
I have been working hard on my English language and calling the notes in English is actually feeling quite natural – now I’m trying to work on the way I am pronouncing some of the words to make it easier for different drivers. With Jari-Matti we were also using some Finnish words in the notes. This was no problem for me, but it was a little more tricky to write the symbols for these Finnish notes. This time, I wrote out the whole word so it didn’t interrupt the rhythm.
I learned so much from Jari-Matti during the rally. When the conditions and things were getting more tough, the way he reacted was so strong. He was always making the right decision to keep us in the lead and to take the win. Watching this and the way the other top crews were, makes me think about what I can do better.
Winning with Jari-Matti was something very special, something I don’t forget. But now I am looking forward to the next event in Rally3 with Jarkko. We are going to Rally Estonia, where I will look to try out some of the things I learned from the Acropolis.
