Helsinki to Host Race in 2006
International motor racing will return to the streets of Helsinki in 2006 after Finland's automobile federation agreed a deal on Friday for a World Touring Car Championship race
AKK Sports Ltd, the marketing arm of the Finnish Automobile Sport Federations, have signed a three-year contract for the WTCC event. It is scheduled for the first weekend of June next year.
The plan is for the race to take place on a slightly modified version of the track layout used for the ITC in 1995 and 1996 and the FIA GT Series and F3000 in 1997.
Jarmo Mahonen, CEO of the Finnish Federation, said: "There's no doubt WTCC is the FIA's highest quality racing series right after Formula One, and it's future looks very bright.
"We now have an intensive period of work ahead with Helsinki's municipal authorities and other interested parties to get all the necessary formalities in order."
The WTCC deal will be a blow to rival series, the DTM, which had been rumoured to be considering an event in Finland to capitalise on the huge interest surrounding Mika Hakkinen.
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